Well, let me tell ya about fishin’ the Little Deschutes River, you know, that place where all them fancy folks go to catch them fish. It ain’t no easy thing, mind you, but it sure is fun if you know what you’re doin’.
First off, you gotta get yourself some gear. Now, I ain’t talkin’ about them fancy rods and reels them city fellas use. A good ol’ pole and some line will do ya just fine. And don’t forget the worms! Them fish love worms, let me tell ya. You can buy ’em at the store, but diggin’ ’em up yourself is cheaper, and you get a bit of exercise too. My old man always said, “A good worm is worth its weight in gold when it comes to fishin’.” He weren’t wrong, neither.
Now, finding a good spot to fish is important. You wanna look for them places where the water is kinda slow and there’s plenty of rocks and plants. Fish like to hide in them places, you see. The Little Deschutes has lots of good spots, but you gotta be patient and keep lookin’ till you find one that feels right. Don’t just plop yourself down anywhere, now. Think like a fish! Where would you be hidin’ if you were a fish?
- Look for shady spots
- Find places with rocks and plants
- Keep an eye out for bugs on the water – that means fish are feedin’
Once you’ve found your spot, it’s time to bait your hook. Now, some folks use them fancy flies, but I always stick with worms. They’re easy to get, and like I said, fish love ’em. Just thread that worm onto your hook real good, so it don’t fall off when you cast. And don’t be stingy with the worm neither, give them fish somethin’ to chew on.
Castin’ your line is the next step. Now, you don’t wanna just throw it out there willy-nilly. You gotta be gentle and try to get it to land in the water without makin’ too much of a splash. Fish are skittish critters, you know. They’ll take off if they hear or see somethin’ they don’t like. So, just a nice, smooth cast, and let that line drift down the stream. And keep a close eye on that line! If it starts movin’, you got yourself a bite!
When you feel a bite, you gotta set that hook! That means you give the pole a quick jerk to make sure the hook gets stuck in the fish’s mouth. Then, you gotta reel that fish in. Now, this is where the fun begins. Some fish, they’ll put up a good fight, and you gotta be strong and patient to reel ’em in. But others, they’ll just come right in without a fuss. It all depends on the fish, you see. Some are fighters, some are not, just like us folks.
Once you’ve got the fish reeled in, you gotta be careful when you take it off the hook. You don’t wanna hurt the little fella. Just grab it gently behind the gills and use a pair of pliers to get the hook out. Now, you can decide if you wanna keep the fish or throw it back. If it’s a big one, you might wanna keep it for supper. But if it’s small, it’s best to let it go so it can grow bigger. My ma always said, “Take only what you need, and leave the rest for tomorrow.” Wise words, them were.
Fishin’ the Little Deschutes is a good way to spend a day. It’s peaceful out there, just you and the water and the fish. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch yourself a nice dinner. But even if you don’t catch anythin’, it’s still a good time. Just bein’ out in nature, hearin’ the birds singin’ and the water flowin’, it’s good for the soul, you know? It makes you forget about all your troubles for a little while.
And remember, fishin’ ain’t just about catchin’ fish. It’s about enjoyin’ the outdoors, spendin’ time with friends and family, and just relaxin’. So, next time you get a chance, head on down to the Little Deschutes and give it a try. You might just find yourself hooked! Just remember what I told ya, and you’ll be fine.
One last thing, before I forget. Be respectful of the river and the environment. Don’t leave your trash behind, and don’t make too much noise. We gotta take care of these places, so we can keep comin’ back to enjoy ’em for years to come. And remember to always follow the rules and regulations, get yourself a fishing license if you need one. Don’t want no trouble with the game warden, now do ya?
Tags: [fishing, Little Deschutes River, trout, angling, Oregon fishing, fly fishing, bait fishing, outdoor recreation, river fishing]
