Wow, when it melts it melts. One week ago there was still a 100 meter patch of snow at the top of dry canyon, now there is now snow to be seen. You can ride all the way to road 300 on Phil’s trail toward the heli pad. All of the lower stuff is great right now with almost no dust.
While the salmon fly hatch has not quite reached the Warm Springs to Trout creek section, the fishing is good non-the-less. The weekend was busy with fisherman. Those trying the dry fly found it slow, but for myself on nymphs it was spectacular. The fishing started really slow in the morning, but around 1:00 in the afternoon it picked up and for about 3 hours it was a fish every 20 minutes. I had two 4 pound redsides that could have been twins mixed in with the usuall 12-16 inchers. They seemed to prefer the #18 hares ear over everything else including, pheasant tail, stone fly, and green case larvae. Also, I found the deeper drifts to hold most of the fish. This is good considering we should be off the gravel runs for spawning anyway. Salmon flies will show up sooner or later, so have em with you.
The fishing is outstanding, or whatever you want to call it. The salmon and stone fly hatch has started (stone flies now and salmon flies over the next two weeks) and the trout on the Middle Deschutes are really keyed in on them. We are talking 30+ fish days. Nymph a black stone size 8-10 with a trailing #14-16 flashback pheasant tail or hares ear and just try to keep them off your hook. I met a guy yesterday who had his rod broken by a 8 lb. brown, so the big’uns are active too. Fishing is best in the am before the day hits 75 degrees, but afternoons are good too. Go get some while the getting is good.
Activity: Trail Run
Weather: 50 Partly Sunny
Trail conditions: Excellent
Nasty weather in Bend sent me out to Horse Ridge for the first time in a couple weeks. Recent rains have kept the dust down and the trail isn’t getting much use. Excellent conditions.
Are you needing some punishment? Here are three race-pace group road rides that happen every week:
Noon rides - leave from the east-side Hutch’s at noon 5 days a week. Tues, Wed, Thurs are fast, Mon, Fri supposed to be more of a spin. Duration: hourish.
Tuesday Night Sunnyside Ride - leaves from Sunnyside bike shop at 6:00. Fast, around 1.5 hours. Course is in the Twin Bridges area.
Saturday Hutch’s ride - leaves from the east-side Hutch’s at 10:00. Goes out Bear Creek Rd and Highway 20 to the top of Horse Ridge Pass. About 45 miles and just over 2 hours.
The folks at Webcyclery are putting on another installment of the Cascade Chainbreaker on May 13. The course is on Cascade Timberlands Tree Farm on trails that are closed much of the year so this is your chance to get some unique riding in!
More information at Webcyclery: 2007 Cascade Chainbreaker
The little bit of rain that we recieved earlier this week really hasn’t ruined the riding. The trails are tacky but not muddy. The small patch of snow on the back side of the Heli-Pad is completely off of the trail now and should be the last of it. Whoops are in great shape although some of the bumps have been built up a little so don’t be taken by surprise. It’s great Springtime riding.
Activity: Mountain Bike
Weather: 38 Sunny
Trail conditions: Excellent
Mrazek trail is in perfect condition and has very little snow. We were able to ride to the four way intersection where the trail climbs the steep old road for a bit (many miles past the canal if you are having trouble visualizing the spot). It looked like there would be some snow past that point though. There is only one tree obstructing the trail and someone has built ramps on each side out of deadwood. Perfect Spring riding!
Activity: Trail Run
Weather: 67 Sunny
Trail conditions: Excellent
Ran to the summit today. The trail is in excellent condition and has not yet started to get sandy. I didn’t see anyone out there. Don’t miss the best early Spring riding in Central Oregon! Probably just a few weeks left before it starts to get dry and sandy out there.
Activity: Mountain Bike Ride
Weather: 60 partly cloudy
Trail conditions: Excellent
Rode helipad to the top of whoops (Frazzle) and back to the parking lot. Only one large patch of snow remains and trail conditions are excellent all around. Great time to hit Phils.