Rivers and Stillwater of Central Oregon | Fly Fishing Insider Podcast

Summary

In this conversation, Christian Bacasa interviews Dalton Romanowski, a fly fishing guide, about the availability of still water in the Bend, Oregon area. They discuss the local rivers, such as the Deschutes and the Metolius, as well as lesser-known destinations. Dalton shares his experiences fishing in lakes and provides tips on how to fish still water effectively. He mentions specific lakes like East Lake and Crane Prairie, and talks about the different species of trout that can be found in each lake. Dalton also discusses his preferred tactics for fishing with leeches and dry flies. In this conversation, Dalton Romanowski shares his insights and experiences with stillwater fishing, specifically focusing on rainbow trout. He discusses the acrobatic nature of rainbow trout and the thrill of catching them on dry flies. Dalton highlights Crane Prairie as a world-class stillwater rainbow trout fishery and explains the different hatches and food sources that attract these fish. He also describes the unique fight of rainbow trout in stillwater compared to moving water. Dalton mentions other species like lake trout and largemouth bass that can be found in central Oregon lakes. He emphasizes the importance of scouting and understanding the structure and color changes in lakes to locate fish. Dalton shares his nymphing rig for stillwater fishing, which includes a balanced leech and chronomid. He provides tips for fishing in windy conditions and the benefits of using fluorocarbon leaders. Christian Bacasa expresses his excitement to explore stillwater fishing in the area and plans to visit Dalton for more information.

Takeaways

The Bend, Oregon area offers a variety of still-water fishing opportunities in addition to its well-known rivers.
Local rivers like the Deschutes and the Metolius have sections that are less crowded and offer excellent fishing.
There are numerous lakes in the area that hold different species of trout, providing anglers with diverse fishing experiences.
Fishing with leeches and dry flies are effective tactics for targeting trout in still water.
Sight fishing and observing the behavior of fish can lead to successful catches in lakes. Stillwater fishing for rainbow trout can be exciting and challenging, especially when using dry flies.
Crane Prairie in central Oregon is a world-class stillwater rainbow trout fishery with a variety of hatches and food sources.
The fight of rainbow trout in stillwater is unique and can be more subtle and patient compared to moving water.
Other species like lake trout and largemouth bass can also be found in central Oregon lakes.
Scouting and understanding the structure and color changes in lakes are crucial for locating fish.
Using a nymphing rig with a balanced leech and chronomid can be effective in stillwater fishing.
Fishing in windy conditions requires adjusting casting techniques and using side sets.
Fluorocarbon leaders are recommended for stillwater fishing due to their abrasion resistance and strength.