Central Oregon Fishing Summary (May 2006)

We went from winter to summer and back to spring in a few weeks. Last week we had record temps to near 90, this morning I woke to 30's again. The old saying here in Central Oregon is "hang around it will change soon." I don't think I had seen it ever get this hot in May in the 11 years I have lived here.

With this move going on for Jan and I, I haven't had much time to fish lately. I am a little frustrated but relying on friends for updates. John Hofferd has been fishing Paulina and at last report had caught some decent browns to 6 LB. There is still a lot of snow in the campgrounds, but both Paulina and East are completely ice free. Look for the fishing to improve as water temps rise. No reports on kokes yet but they will be schooling up more in coming weeks.

Ryan Daniels and a friend were up at Wickiup this past weekend. It was a tough outing with more strikes than fish. His friend did catch a 3 LB. + brown that made a nice meal. Wickiup can be extremely tough for browns in the spring because they are often so scattered. As far as I know, no big browns (over 10 LB.) have shown at Wickiup yet. Water is falling at 1,000 acre feet a day and it will be interesting to see if the runoff this year will help maintain a higher water level later this summer.

On another note, Steve Kelly participated in the 3rd Annual Cultus Laker Derby again this year. He wasn't quite as lucky (or good) as he was last year when he took 1st, 2nd and came close on 3rd place. Steve and his friend Sean ended up in 5th place with a free Rib dinner. An interesting observation was that this was supposed to be a catch and release derby. However, a DEAD 20 LB. laker won the $2,000 1st place prize. Also, there was no checking of live wells before the start which can leave the opportunity for "ringer" fish to be brought to the lake. Looks like this derby has a ways to go yet. Just my opinion!

Look for the fishing to heat up over the next month for big trout. I will personally pound a few lakes while the wife is in Indiana. I will be at Crane, Wickiup, Crescent, East and Paulina the first two weeks of June. Feel free to let me know how any of you are doing and especially if you stick a toad.

Screamin' Drags, Rick