Читать книгу Fly Fishing Central & Southeastern Oregon - Harry Teel - Страница 17

The Ana River offers a unique fly fishing experience in an honest-to-God desert river. It flows through a sand-and-sagebrush open landscape that is genuine Oregon high desert. The river flows from Ana Reservoir and discharges into Summer Lake. The river’s true origins are springs that are now covered by the Ana Reservoir.

The Ana is only about seven miles long, doesn’t get much pressure, and holds some nice-sized rainbow trout, being stocked with 20,000 fingerling trout each year. The reservoir is stocked annually with catchable trout and every other year with bass fingerlings.

If you like fly fishing challenges, you’ll like the Ana’s clear water and the need to make good fly presentations. You’ll work for what you get, and at times fishing can be frustrating because you can’t get a fish to rise. I suggest you take the time to walk a quarter mile or so along the banks and determine if you want to wade. Look for insects while you are walking. You’ll find an abundance of midges, mayflies, and terrestrials around the river.

The Ana River lies east of Highway 31 in the Great Basin near Summer Lake. If you are visiting central Oregon, the Ana is about a two-hour drive from Bend and is a good alternative to some of the area’s more crowded waters.

An angler stalks trout on the Ana River. Photo by Brian O’Keefe.

Types of Fish

Mostly rainbow trout. These fish run from 8 to 16 inches and are great fighters.

Known Hatches

Midges, mayflies and terrestrials.

Equipment to Use

Rods: 2–5 weight, 7–9 feet in length.

Reels: Palm drag.

Lines: Floating, to match rod weight.

Leaders: 5X to 6X, 9–12 feet in length.

Wading: Use breathable waders with boots. A wading staff is a good idea. You can fish much of this river without wading.

Flies to Use

Dries: Adams, Pale Morning Dun, Renegade, Spinner, Callibaetis, Comparadun, Blue-Winged Olive, Trico, X Caddis, Henryville Special, CDC Caddis, Slow Water Caddis.

Nymphs: Hare’s Ear, Chironomid Pupa, Zug Bug, Scud, Brassie, Serendipity, and Pheasant Tail.

Streamers: Leech, Woolly Bugger.

When to Fish

It’s best to fish in May and June and September and October. The Ana River fishes best in the early morning and late evening.

Seasons & Limits

Generally this river is open year-round. Because regulations are subject to change, consult the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife regulations or a local fly shop before fishing.

Nearby Fly Fishing

In a weekend’s time it is possible to fish the Ana River, Ana Reservoir, Lake of the Dunes, and the Chewaucan River (all of which are described in this guide).

Accommodations & Services

There is a store, restaurant, motel, and gas at Summer Lake. There are camping facilities near the dam at Ana Reservoir.

Rating

Harry’s Opinion: If you happen to hit a good day, you’ll come back for more of the Ana. A soft 4.