Unless you've been in a cave the last couple weeks, you are aware of the tremendous fire activity that is threatening life and property throughout the West. I've just returned from Eastern Idaho after volunteering to help set up a "fire camp" for over a thousand Hot Shots, firefighters and convicts. It's getting so bad in some places, they're sending in the Marines for relief.

Fire Danger is at "very high" to "extreme" in all of the Western States, so please, exercise caution with campfires and cigarettes.

Here is the latest from "the front":

Brownlee Reservoir
I was up there this week for a bass tournament and had the chance to talk to a few bank fishermen (and fisherwomen) who were bottom fishing for 'Cats. Bob Fowler from Boise, Idaho had a half a dozen in the three to six pound class and described "the one that got away" as having a head "the size of a basketball." Similar reports were received from Farewell Bend to Mt. Man Lodge.

Bass fishing has been great all year and the last couple of weeks have been no exception. Smallmouth are being caught in 10 to 60 ft of water using craw imitations, while the Largemouth are chasing bait fish near the shallow coves.

Boat access is nearly impossible at this point unless you've got a car topper and/or four-wheel drive. The lake level has been dropping 1-3 ft a day and the ramps on the Oregon side are high and dry.

(How did I do in the tournament you ask? Well, I didn't win, but did get another Top 10 finish, and missed taking the big fish money by 5/100ths of a pound! Oh well, next time!)

Deschutes River
Summer-run steelhead are making a slow start on the Deschutes - one day it's hot the next - nothing. While not in full swing, some fish are in and angling pressure has been high. Fly fisherman have had limited success, but there has been some good action for those tossing spinners. Steelhead patterns for the Deschutes should include: Green-Butt Skunk, Purple Peril, Freight Train, and Skykomish Sunrise, in hook sizes 2-6. Number 4 Mepps and Blue Fox spinners in chartreuse are the standard for lure casters.

A bit farther up stream (Maupin), the bite for Redside Rainbows has picked up and being persistent will pay off. The Rainbows will be in the back eddies or right along the shoreline. Fly selection for a trip up here should include Humpy, Elk Hair and Tent wing Caddis in sizes 8 -12 which will provide some good dry fly action.

Crane Prairie
Fly shops in the area are reporting some good catches from Crane - it' about time! Slow start this year, but the fish are now more predictable with the warming waters. The trout are searching for cooler water near the creek mouths and channels.

Klamath/Agency Lakes
The fishing has been excellent, so prepare for a crowd. I heard a report from a guy with the Central Oregon Flyfishers, that the police have been directing traffic near the Williamson! Start fishing near the mouths of the Wood, Williamson or the springs in Pelican Bay and Recreation Creek. Don't be afraid to move around the lake. I always start at Recreation Creek (Rocky Point) and move towards Fourmile Creek and if nothing is happening, a short hop to Agency Lake and check out the mouth of the Wood. This is the time of the year that truly HUGE trout (the largest native rainbow trout in the lower 48) begin searching for cooler water temperatures and start to stack up in these areas. Seal, Flash and Woolly Buggers in hook sizes 10-8 are the ticket for the fly fisherman, while Kastmasters and Rapalas can be productive for hardware tossers. Be advised: You can only keep ONE trout.

Davis
Still fishing fairly well. The most productive areas have been near the creek inlets on the West side of the lake. Fish the hatches early and late and mid-day try a bead head woolly bugger on a type II full sink line and retrieve with six-inch pulls all the way back to the boat.

Well that's it for this week. If you would like a personal report for an up coming trip, feel free to email me at - Oregonsportsman@cs.com.

Have a safe weekend and See you on the water!
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