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
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