Friday's Featured Fly

Just in time to kick off Stillwater season!  Our friends at Solitude nailed this Balance Leech.  Hot Tungsten bead, sparse body and tail with just a hint of red flash.  This one is going to make a lot of indicators go down! 

The fine folks at Aqua Flies know how to create an Intruder fly. Wow, these are beautiful! They arrived just in time for the tail end of winter Steelhead season, Jerry's Intruders.

Solitude Chironomid Cripple   Some of the first chironomid of the year can be on the larger side.  That works well as you can fish a dry fly that you can actually see!  This killer pattern has several attention-grabbing details.  Parachute hackle to ride flush in the film.  Wirey tail to imitate a shuck and some extra fluff to make the fly look "buzzy" like adult chironomids on the water.  Do not hit the lake without this one! 

Spring bass fishing is right around the corner!  Solitude's Jaw Breaker is a great bet.  It's got all the goods....rubber legs, marabou, stout jig hook, and a twister tail!  Slow-strip this one or suspend it under an indicator.  Bass fishing is a lot of fun, gear up now.  We offer a wide selection of Bass Gear from top manufacturers, at every price point.  

Sometimes it's hard to argue with the classics.  RIO's version of the original Bonefish Puff, the Bonefish Mini Puff retains all the qualities of the old original.  Bead chain eyes to sink the fly, but they're wrapped in chenille for a gentle landing.  This was a good one decades ago and remains productive on bonefish flats across the globe today. 

Solitude Egg Sucking Stone  - Swinging for winter steel can be tough, to say the least. An egg-sucking stone and an indicator can be a fantastic plan b, c, or even d...

New Fly Alet - Aqua Flies Stu's Ostrich Intruder and Stu's Ostrich Mini Intruder "Metal Detector"  

This fly is a great choice for pursuing winter chrome in big dark waters

A very Special Valentine's Day Friday's Featured Fly brought to you by RIO's Morrish Trailer Trash. This nearly 5-inch is intended for King's but a great COHO or Steelhead Fly.  Made with Maribou this fly has a big presence but is very light and easy to cast.  

Who doesn't love a tasty Fish Taco?  Perfect for low clear water.  Winter time can be great fishing, as long as you are prepared.  Waders, Wading Boots, and good Outerwear are key components to a successful day winter fishing.  We have you covered!  Call us today, let our friendly staff make sure you are ready to tackle the elements.  

Columbia Gorge Fishing Reports - March 28, 2025

Winter Steelhead

Sad to say, but we are getting to be on borrowed time for winter fish.  Call it another couple weeks, or so, remaining.  The good news is that the tail end of the season can yield some of the best fishing and the most enjoyable weather!  Water temps are on the rise and that's always a good thing for those that like to swing a fly.  It's getting close to "now or never" time for the fish with the final pushes on their way.  Though there are definitely spawned out fish dropping back, there will still be opportunities for chrome-bright fish out there.  All this said, if you're thinking about trying for one more winter fish, go soon!

Shop Steelhead Flies

Deschutes Trout

Wish there was a hot Deschutes report, but we're on a bit of a holding pattern there.  All the rain in the past few weeks accompanied by a little heat has the Deschutes running rather high with color for the foreseeable future.  This isn't an uncommon situation for this time of year, and it's definitely a good thing.  Hopefully the elevated flows will wash out some of the silt and debris that's gathered from last season.  If you give it a shot, focus your efforts on whatever soft water near the bank you can find.  And be careful!  It's high and very pushy.  A lot of the water fish are in right now will not even require stepping off the bank.  

Fishing aside, this is such a spectacular time to see the Deschutes Canyon.  Early spring is very much in your face out there right now.  There's green grass and plenty of happy wildlife to see.  You're guaranteed to have a great deal of success out there with binoculars and a camera.  A fly rod....not so much for the time being.  Fishing should be very good in a few weeks when the flows drop.           

Shop Trout Flies

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Limited Edition Colors for Popular Ross Reels

Animas and Evolution LTX in Chocolate

Cimarron in Mardi Gras

Evolution LTX in Mardi Gras

Colorado In Chocolate

Evolution R Salt in Mardi Gras

These all are limited edition colors. Once they are gone, they are gone!

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Burkheimer's in stock - Updated March 2025

Just Reloaded with Burkheimer's

See our Selection - IN STOCK and Includes FREE FLY LINE

Few rods are as coveted as the small Washington town, handcrafted, one of a kind Burkheimer's.

They may be mostly known in the Northwest for their extremely comfortable, yet power two hand spey rods. There is also quite a following for the "in the know" trout angler who especially respects the deep load action of the DAL Trout Series.

While we'll gladly take your special custom order for any C.F.Burkheimer you wish for, be sure to first check our current selection, "in stock" of a few of our favorites in both Classic and Vintage finishes.

See What's In Stock...

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Abel, Hatch, Simms - Fly Fishing Nipper Review - Updated 2025

The New Abel Nipper is here

25 lb. Maxima?  No problem for the New Abel Nipper

The third generation nipper from Abel is here with some great improvements.  The first two features that stand out are its mass and ergonomics.  It feels substantial in hand.  Not heavy, but you know you're holding onto something. This extra beef allows you to get a bit more purchase in hand when cutting heavy mono or fluoro.  The overall curvature and machining near the jaws allows for a solid and comfortable grip.  They just feel good in your hand which lends a lot of value to a frequently used tool.  

Fine point eye cleaner makes clearing out head cement a breeze

A little extra thought went into the eye cleaners on this version.  They're straight as an arrow and finely pointed.  Call the needle good for hooks down to a size 20.  The novelty comes with the fact that there is one on both "arms" of the nipper.  No matter how the tool is oriented, you'll have a forward-facing eye cleaner at your disposal.  

Easy-to-use magnetic threader

If you don't read the fine print on the packaging, you may very well miss this awesome feature!  Like the eye cleaner, each side of the nipper has a magnetic fly threader.  They're very inconspicuous as far as size and position goes, which is great.  Nothing is in the way.  And they work well.  The groove is deep enough to channel your tippet through the eye and the magnet holds your fly steady.   

Shop New Abel Nipper

REVIEW: GRUNDENS NEW KEEPER SNEAKERS

Grundens NEW Keeper Sneakers are exceptionally comfortable!

Keeper Sneaker - Anchor

Grundens has done a great job with their footwear in my humble opinion.  Being someone with considerable foot issues from years of sports and just down right abuse.  I've had several of their older SeaKnit Boat shoes, which were probably the lightest shoe that I've worn to date and very comfortable. I literally wore them almost every day until I just wore the life out of them.  Needless to say, I've been waiting for these NEW Keeper Sneakers to replace the older lifeless SeaKnit shoes I have worn out.

The Keeper Sneaker is an attractive, go anywhere, summer time shoe. Designed as a deck/dock shoe that you could also wear to work or around town.  Wear it with lightweight pants, jeans or shorts, it doesn't matter, you'll look fly no matter what.

Keeper Sneaker Top View

Grund'ens put some thought into these sneakers by including the Ortholite Sockliner and the High-Rebound Midsoles which both provide all day comfort and support. Which is crucial for someone like me.

With their mesh uppers, these are highly breathable and quick drying, so if you accidently get them wet on the boat, don't worry they'll probably be dry by the time you head out for dinner.

Admittedly, as I stated earlier, comfort is a big deal for me.  If my feet aren't comfortable, they're miserable, there just doesn't seem to be an in-between.  It doesn't matter if I'm on the bow of a boat or on my feet most of the day at work I have to have shoes that accommodate what I need them to do.  The Keeper Sneakers take care of this issue.

Gum Rubber Sole

The lugged, non marking rubber sole, is durable and has ample traction on most surfaces. Again, the Keeper Sneaker was designed as a boat shoe where traction is paramount.  Standing on the bow or deck of a wet boat or stepping out of the boat onto the dock is serious business.  No one wants to slip and rack a knee or shin on the edge of anything that could ruin the moment.

If you're looking for a sweet pair of sneakers that you can wear fishing or go out to dinner in, I give the Grund'ens Keeper Sneakers a High, Swollen, Thumbs up!

 

Keeper Sneaker Features:

• Quick-Drying, Lightweight & Breathable Mesh Upper Reduces Drying Time
• Perforated Stretch-Neoprene Lining
• OrthoLite Sockliner Provides Best-In-Class Comfort
• High-Rebound Midsole Delivers All-Day Comfort & Support
• Protective, Molded Rubber Toe Cap for Added Protection
• Durable, Lugged, Non-Marking Gum Rubber Outsole Provides Excellent Grip in Variable Terrain

Choosing the Right Size:

Grund'ens offers the Keeper Sneaker in half sizes up to size 11.5, after that if you're a half size, like me, you will want to round up to the nearest whole size.  These shoes fit true to size. I'm a 13.5 normally, but I got the size 14 and they still fit well and are super comfy!

These sneakers are an awesome all-around, in and around the water shoe and boat shoe.  These sneakers are not intended for wet wading, they just don't have the rigidity to support that type of use, especially in rocky situations.  These are built more for style and comfort.  Some folks have worn them in the water while fishing but it's not recommended.

Thanks for reading, if you have any questions give us a call at 541-386-6977 or drop us a line at info@gorgeflyshop.com we'd be happy to chat anything fishing anytime!

Gorge Fly Shop Team

John G.

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VIDEO: The Last 100 Miles - Fight for the Lower Deschutes

This great video highlights the efforts of the Deschutes River Alliance and brings to light the issues concerning the Lower Deshutes River. 

Stream for Free

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2025 DRA Auction - February 22nd, 2025

DRA Auction 2023

Deschutes River Alliance Auction and Gathering

February 22nd, 2025

The Redd in Portland Oregon

2:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Purchase your event tickets here

Gorge Fly Shop will have a table there but Travis and Lyndsey will not be able to attend due to a schedule conflict.  The Ducks Unlimited Banquet is the same day which is an annual Duddles Family tradition.

If you have not been to a DRA Auction or Gathering before, it is a fantastic, event.  A gathering of people whose love for the Deschutes runs deep and who really want to be part of making the Deschutes River healthy again.  The food and drinks are great and plentiful in addition to all of the many excellent live, and silent auction items.  It truly is an event you do not want to miss.

Tom Larimer, Travis Duddles, and Todd Harris

Deschutes River Alliance (DRA) is one of the non-profits that Gorge Fly Shop chooses to support.  For more information on Gorge Fly Shop's reason for backing DRA, plus other non-profits visit our new community page

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