Flies Blowing in the Wind

Clear Lake
Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives

Clear Lake is a picturesque reservoir located in the Mt. Hood National Forest. This 560 acre, earth fill dam lake is a popular area for camping and fishing. It harbors planted rainbow trout, brook trout, as well as large brood trout up to 10 pounds! It is an ideal location, but if there’s anything that can be a deterrent to enjoying outdoor leisure activities, especially fly fishing, it’s the wind--as my fishing buddy Rob and I would soon find out.

Sometimes in low water the original stream channel could be exposed. Fish are vulnerable at this time, and we wanted to take full advantage of this opportunity. The channel at the base of the dam was clear, and we could see dozens of fish cruising in search of food. It looked like a fish hatchery and we anticipated action. 

As we rigged up, the wind began to riffle the surface, which we hoped would shield our advance. However, just as I was ready to make my first cast, a huge gust hit us from the backside. Unfortunately, Rob had been sorting through his fly box for a pattern. As I braced against the wind I heard him angrily yell. I turned around and watched a dozen flies or more blowing onto the water. As he rushed to retrieve some of them, fish began rising and greedily taking the artificials at will. 

I laughed and jokingly said, "Rob,you know it’s illegal to be chumming the water!”

He turned to me and said in a sarcastic tone, "It’s not chumming. I’m just trying to match the hatch!”