Central Oregon Flyfishers

10/31/2026

Some anglers are just too dedicated to call it a season. 💀🎣

The fishing might slow down, but the stoke never dies. Wishing all our fellow anglers a hauntingly happy Halloween from Central Oregon Flyfishers!

Tight lines, spooky nights, and may your flies always find their mark. 👻🎃

09/29/2026

Fall is here, and it's time to fish! 🎣🍁 Our September Newsletter is packed with the stuff that matters when you’re chasing trout around Central Oregon. Inside this month: 👇

🪰 The flies to know -- A practical rundown of the most popular patterns for the Metolius, Deschutes, Crooked, Upper Deschutes, and Fall River.

🎯 Dial in your setup -- Yancy Lind breaks down the nine things to consider when choosing a fly rod, plus a chance to put some rods to the test.

🐟 Fish smarter -- The science behind safer catch-and-release, including the biggest mistakes that can put trout at risk.

🌲 Conservation updates -- Tui Chub removal at East Lake, upcoming trout and Kokanee stocking, Deschutes steelhead conditions, and what the 2027 forecast could mean for our waters.

🤝 Get involved -- From Kokanee Karnival to upcoming outings and volunteer opportunities, explore ways to get your boots wet and give back.

🔥 Plus: The Fly of the Month, Wild Women of the Water updates, new members, upcoming events, and more.

Read the September newsletter, then go find some water! 👉 http://bit.ly/COFNewsletter

09/14/2026

The September 2026 Newsletter is live! 🍁📬 Dive into the latest and greatest from Central Oregon Flyfishers here: http://bit.ly/COFNewsletter

09/09/2026

🎣 Join Central Oregon Flyfishers as we shape the future of steelhead in the Upper Deschutes and get hands-on with an important fisheries conservation effort!

Volunteers are needed this September to help Portland General Electric (PGE) clip juvenile steelhead for the Upper Deschutes Salmon-Steelhead Reintroduction Program.

These fish will receive a left maxillary clip, which allows them to be identified as part of the reintroduction program. The clip remains identifiable throughout the fish’s life, including when they return as adults.

🐟 What does clipping involve?
Volunteers will work near the raceways, handling lots of small fish (~2-3 inches) and using scissors to clip a small portion of the fish’s jaw. The fish are sedated so they can be handled and clipped humanely.

No experience necessary! Biologists will provide instruction on safely handling and clipping the fish, and they'll be on hand to answer questions about steelhead and the reintroduction program.

A few things to know:
💧 You'll be working outside and may get wet, so boots and bibs (or rain gear) are recommended
🍽️ Lunch will be provided
⏰ Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the hatchery location and finish early afternoon

📍 Wizard Falls Hatchery
When: September 14-15, 2026
Location: 7500 Forest Service Road #14, Camp Sherman, OR
# of Volunteers: 10-14 volunteers each day

📍 Round Butte Hatchery
When: September 21-24, 2026
Location: Madras, OR
# of Volunteers: 6-8 volunteers each day

NOTE: If you sign up to help at Round Butte Hatchery, additional details about the location and access will be emailed to you after you sign up. Clipping will take place inside a small trailer.

📩 Questions + How to Sign Up
Contact Gonzalo Mendez at [[email protected]] or via phone at (541) 325-5348. Let Gonzalo know what day and where you would like to volunteer, and he can answer any questions.

Thank you for helping support this important steelhead reintroduction effort in the Upper Deschutes! 🐟🎣

07/27/2026

You're Invited to the Central Oregon Flyfishers Summer BBQ! 🎣☀️🍽️

There's nothing better than great food, good friends, and swapping fishing stories on a summer evening.

Join us for our annual COF Summer BBQ on Tuesday, August 18th at 5:00 PM at Aspen Hall in Shevlin Park. Whether you're a longtime member or brand new to the fly fishing community, we'd love to see you there. And feel free to bring family, friends, or neighbors!

🍽 COF will provide a catered dinner including grilled tri-tip, BBQ chicken, BBQ baked beans, potato-mac salad, mixed field greens salad, and garlic bread. A variety of soft drinks and bottled water will be provided. 🍰 Please bring your favorite dessert to share!

Alcoholic beverages are welcome (COF does not provide them), so if you choose to bring one, please enjoy responsibly. 🍻

We'll also have door prizes and a raffle, so don't miss your chance to win while enjoying a fun evening with fellow anglers.

📅 Please RSVP by August 6th: https://www.coflyfishers.org/event-6670030

🙋 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝? Volunteers are needed for setup and cleanup beginning around 4:00 PM. If you'd like to help, please contact BBQ Coordinator Sue Coyle at: [email protected]

We can't wait to celebrate another great summer together. See you at Aspen Hall! 🎣🌲

07/22/2026

Are you up to date with the latest and greatest from Central Oregon Flyfishers? ☀ Check out our July Newsletter here: http://bit.ly/COFNewsletter

07/21/2026

Some places have a way of slowing time. 🏞️ The Deschutes in late fall is one of them!

Golden grasses, crisp air, and miles of water that remind us why we fish in the first place. Whether the day ended with a full net or simply unforgettable scenery, every cast was time well spent.

A huge thank you to Matt Roe for capturing these beautiful moments from Central Oregon Flyfishers November Walk & Wade outing!

Curious... What's your favorite stretch of the Deschutes to fish this time of year? 🤔

06/09/2026

Our June 2026 Newsletter has arrived! 🌞📬 Dive into the latest and greatest from Central Oregon Flyfishers here: http://bit.ly/COFNewsletter

06/03/2026

🎣 Did you know that nearly 320 Central Oregon students have participated in Kokanee Karnival?

Kokanee Karnival is one of Central Oregon Flyfishers' signature youth education programs, connecting kids with the outdoors through hands-on learning, conservation, and fishing experiences they'll remember for a lifetime.

Some Kokanee Karnival stats:

✅ 320 estimated kids participate
✅ 23 schools take part across Central Oregon
✅ 27 COF volunteers donate more than 800 hours of their time

Students learn everything from knot tying and casting to water safety, fish biology, and proper catch-and-release techniques. Many have even had the opportunity to catch their very first fish at Shevlin and Metolius Ponds! 😊

But the real story isn't in the numbers.

It's in the excitement of a student making their first cast. The smile after landing their first fish. The confidence that comes from learning a new skill outdoors.

Programs like Kokanee Karnival happen because of dedicated volunteers, community partners, and organizations that believe the future of our fisheries depends on educating the next generation.

To every volunteer who has helped make this program a success: thank you! 🙌 Your time, patience, and passion are helping create the next generation of anglers, conservationists, and stewards of our rivers and lakes.

Because sometimes all it takes is one fish to spark a lifelong love of the outdoors. ❤️🐟

Our heartfelt thanks go to the volunteers who made the day memorable for the students: Louisa Hooton, Mary Barron, Neil Wesner, John Howard, Bob Shimane, Tim Quinton, Randall Davis, Dick Olson, Mary (Sue) McGlynn, Steve Lichtenberger, Tim Warberg, Pat McCaffrey, Rynie Miyashiro, Jim Woodbridge, Jeff Davis, Rod Legg, Mike Quan, Tim Schindele, Kate Eng, Kevin Samson, Milt McConnel, Terry Martin, Donald Wark, David Lehhart, Clayton Dewberry, Richard Fisher, Dave Boucher, Doug Cronin, Gary Kutz, Frank Turek, Fred Cholick, and Jen Luke.

And thank you to Sunriver Anglers for providing and cooking lunch for the students and volunteers. Safe to say the hot dogs were a big hit! 🌭

05/28/2026

🚨 We have an update on the Three Creek Lake Outing!

The road is officially open! Join Central Oregon Flyfishers for our Three Creek Lake Outing on Sunday, May 31! Fred Cholick plans to be on the water around 9:00 AM, with lunch gathering at noon where the three creeks flow into the lake.

🎣 Recommended flies:
• Woolly Buggers (black, brown, yellow)
• Chironomids (midges)
• Leeches
• Damsel Nymphs
• Callibaetis patterns

💡 Techniques:
Intermediate or sinking lines, indicator fishing, and don’t forget a dry fly rod in case a hatch comes off!

🏆 Bonus: There will be a prize for the angler who nets the most fish in the morning.

Please note: Motors are not allowed on the lake.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Fred at: [fcholick @ gmail.com]

Hope to see you out on the water!

An update on our Three Creek Lake outing! 🚨 We've postponed this outing as the road into the lake has not opened yet. We’ll share a new date as soon as conditions allow.

For those planning ahead, here’s a preview of what Central Oregon Flyfisher's Fred Cholick has lined up once we’re able to get back out there. 🎣

🪰 Recommended flies:
• Woolly Buggers (black, brown, yellow)
• Chironomids (midges)
• Leeches
• Damsel Nymphs
• Callibaetis patterns

🎯 Techniques:
• Trolling with intermediate or sinking lines
• Fishing under an indicator
• Don’t forget a dry fly rod (there’s always a chance of a hatch!)

📍 Favorite areas to fish:
From the store to the big rock, and from the big rock to where the three creeks flow into the lake.

🍴 Once the outing is rescheduled, the group plans to meet for lunch around noon near the creek inlets. And yes, there will even be a prize for whoever nets the most fish in the morning.

Stay tuned for updates if you're interested in attending once rescheduled!

📸 Bonnie Moreland, Flickr