Lake In The Dunes

Summer Lake Extravaganza!

October 8, 2012 By Scott Haugen

The year was 1952, the first time my dad, Jerry Haugen hunted waterfowl at Summer Lake at the age of 12.  In 1976 I hunted Summer Lake for the first time, at age 12.  This past weekend, Braxton, our oldest son, hunted Summer Lake for the first time, also at age 12.
As with many Oregon waterfowlers, Summer Lake is a special place that runs deep within our hunting culture.  The sounds, sights and flurry of distant gunshots that erupt throughout the valley the moment legal shooting light hits on opening morning is something that has to be experienced to be appreciated.
On this trip we joined up with area guide and owner of Lake In The Dunes, Russ Scott (www.lakeinthedunes.com).  Russ owns and manages several hundred acres just north of Summer Lake Wildlife Refuge. I first discovered the fishing on this wonderful property in 1986.  Then it was a flat, dry, sandy desert pocked with a few lakes created by artesian wells, stuffed full of monster rainbow trout.  Since Russ acquired the property, he’s taken it to a whole new level.
 Today, multiple lakes course through the property and are still home to big rainbows.  Willows and Russian Olives now dominate the landscape, as do tall grasses and rushes, creating ideal habitat for all sorts of wildlife.  The quaint cabin that sits on the property is perfect, as is the welcoming atmosphere Russ and his wife, Tonimarie, have created.
Dad, Braxton and I arrived a day early, enjoying a warmup round of trap shooting at the 13 station course running throughout the desert.  After a quick lunch we were hunting the pheasant preserve.  Pheasant hunting has greatly declined throughout Oregon, and preserves like this create opportunities that no longer exist in many place.  Though I’ve only hunted on a few preserves, this was the best setup I’d ever seen.  Dense habitat and varied terrain made the hunt exciting, and proved to be the perfect warmup for the next day’s waterfowl opener.
The next morning we were wading through rushes and setting decoys, the silhouettes of ducks buzzing overhead like mosquitos.  Thirty minutes before shooting light we were ready, hunkered in cover, watching ducks spill into the decoys, their intense calling and whistling wings breaking the calm, still morning.  Braxton was loving it.

The moment shooting light hit, barrels were ablaze.  Hagan, the yellow lab, worked harder than any dog I’d seen, retrieving 28 ducks in just under 90 minutes (Russ was behind a gun on this hunt..we couldn’t leave him out on opening day!).  When it was over, a solemn feeling hit.  Years of anticipation for Braxton’s first duck hunt had come to a quick close.  “Dad, we’ve been on some great hunts,” Braxton noted.  “You know I like deer hunting, and loved hunting in Africa, right?  But this was my favorite hunt of all.  Can we do it again?”
Braxton’s statement and sincere smile was one of the highlights of my life.  While Dad and I relived decades of memories on this hunt, Braxton became infatuated with waterfowl hunting.  The great part, we were fortunate to capture all the action on film for an episode of Trijicon’s The Hunt, which will air July, 2013.
You can bet we’ll return to this magical place now that the fourth generation of Haugen’s has fallen in love with it.

Pheasant Hunting Oregon

August 1st - March 31st

Group Memeberships Split the membership with
1-6 hunters per day

60 birds included
Fly Fishing Included
Duck hunting (during season) included
Cabin stay included on two day trips with minimum of 40 birds released
Memberships are unguided.
Include a guide for $175 per day.  Guide includes instruction, dogs and bird cleaning.       
Membership must used in 1-3 days throughout season.
Minimum of 20 birds released per day; additional birds are $20.00 per bird used within your 3 days

Membership cost is $2,500

Available dates will be on a first come first serve biases.
Must pick one or more dates at time of payment, and must give 2 week notice when choosing other dates.
Membership fees are non-refundable and paid up front
Left over birds are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Fly Fishing Central Oregon

 Summer fly fishing in Central Oregon can be some of the best around. As a guide for the Central Oregon area I am lucky enough to be able to see so many different types of hatches on so many different types of water.  From salmon flies, pmd's, green drakes, blue wings and caddis on the rivers to fishing midges, damsels, callibeatis and trestrial patterns on the lakes Central Oregon has it all!    

I enjoy the bugs as much as the fishing more often than not.  It is just amazing to me that  fish can survive on such a small thing as an insect. Hatches are what we look for as a fly fisher.  If we match the hatch we catch fish!
When I take someone new to the sport they tend to look at me as if I've lost my mind when I spot the first few bugs of a hatch. Typically they have no clue what's going on and what they could be in store for. 



 As soon as I see that first fish nose show it's self they really think I've lost my mind.  I frantically start picking through the box's and re rigging rods, while trying to explain what bugs are hatching and how we are going to fish dry flies on the surface. Meanwhile they just stand there scratching their heads wondering why we are going to be fishing on top of the water when the morning lesson just sunk in that 80% of a trouts diet is subsurface and they still don't see those size 18 mayflies being sucked down by that fish down river 40 yards!!

Eventually they get it and a new passion is found. To them it might be that big fish of the day or the dozen of near misses and encouraging refusals. What ever it was a new fly fisher was born.
For me it was the bugs.  They showed up just like clock work, lived their short life and the cycle was started all over again.

Happy Fishing!!

Central Oregon Fly Fishing - Fly Fishing Equipment - Guided Fly Fishing

Central Oregon Fly Fishing - Fly Fishing Equipment - Guided Fly Fishing

Grindstone Lakes

Why I fish

 People ask me why I love to fish. Well, there are lots of reasons.
I think it is that sometimes there are just those fish that never fully show themselves. Just a splash is all I will get if I'm lucky! The line goes slack and then I'm left with an empty pit in my stomach. For the rest of the day I find repeating thoughts in my head of......  Was it the one? What the heck did I do wrong? It sure felt big?  Or, WOW that fish schooled me! 














These are the moments that keep me coming back. Always searching for that one that got away.
This is why I fish.

Oregon Sage Rat Hunting Tips

 Sage Rat season is here!!! The Spring weather is finally showing us few nice days and we are being rewarded with a target rich environment this year.

As Kids most of us can remember heading out to the desert with our Families to try out our first pellet gun or .22.  We had finally graduated from pop cans and paper to actual moving targets.

Now that we are adults, helping our local farmers out with varmit control still brings the same joy that we found in our youth.

Today though, the days of leaning on a wheel line or fence post with open sights are behind us. The technology that is available to us today makes us much more effective at controlling the population out there.

Being an Outfitter I have had the opportunity to view many different styles of shooting in past 5 years. I've learned a lot about the sport and just wanted to share a few things that will make your next Sage Rat Shoot much more enjoyable.    

1. A .17 caliber  is the new .22 If you haven't tried one yet go get one!! :-)

2. Don't go cheap on optics for your guns!! A good scope makes all the difference when trying to shoot a target that is the size of a tennis ball.

3. Try to get elevated! If you don't have a platform in the back of a truck.  Or you just can't drive in a field because the land owner doesn't want you to.  The next best thing is a standing shooting stick.  The few feet you gain, opens up so many more targets.


 4.  Take a good lunch and lots of water!!
Staying well fed and hydrated will help looking through a scope all day long.

5. Find an area that doesn't poison there fields. Or an area that hasn't been plowed for a few years.

6. Going with an outfitter takes out all the leg work that is takes to find the ideal place, ideal gear, providing a great lunch and will try they will do their best to make sure that the limited time you have off from work will be as productive and fun as possible!! www.lakeinthedunes.com

 I hope you all have great shooting this season.  Remember, don't wait till the grass is to tall to see, the time is now!! Have Fun!!!

 

Catch and Release

Now that you've made a solid connection with a trout of a life time, your job begins to make sure that fish can live to see another day. 
 Remember that the less stress a trout experiences during the catching, the faster it's going to revive and this makes the releasing easier.
 Hopefully you use only barb-less hooks or flatten the barbs on the hook you'll use.
 Try and land the fish as soon as possible.
 Tightly woven nets with rubber materials are better as it will not damage the trout's scales, fins or gills.
 Fish internal organs are also easily damaged so don't squeeze them or grip too tightly. If you really need to hold the trout, clasp it near the tail and turn it briefly on its side or upside down to immobilize it. Refrain from touching or putting a finger into its gills. You're going to do this because you want to take a picture of it so get the camera ready beforehand.
 If the hook appears to be deep and not easily removed, cut the line and leave the hook in the fish.
 When releasing your fish don't just let it go.
Don't force it. Don't push water through its gills. Just hold it steady with two gentle hands. It will go when it is ready. This may take time, but be patient.
 Remember, just because a fish swims away when released, this does not mean damage has not  been done and that the fish won’t still die in the upcoming hours or days from the experience. But, by considering all of these factors and trying to minimizing their stress, the fish will have a better chance of survival to be caught again on another day.

International Fly Fishing Film Festival

Lake In The Dunes and The Grindstone Lakes invite you to Come Join us April 4th at 7pm at the Tower Theater in Bend for the International Fly Fishing Film Festival. Get your tickets at Fly And Field Outfitters in bend quick! They sell out fast. And Check out the trailer here http://vimeo.com/34054073

Fly Fising Lakes in Spring

 With the unpredictable weather that spring brings, fly fishing lakes can be a challenge. With cooler water temps the fish don't always give away their location with the explosive dry fly takes of summer. So where do we start once we've found ourselves staring at a lake that seems to be lifeless?

Here are just a few things that I've learned.

First I look for any source incoming water. A fresh source of water typically provides a little warmer temperature.  Also it can bring bug larva down a stream or kick larva out of the mud. Fish tend to gather around these areas when the rest of lake is still waking up from winter.

If there is no fresh water I look for a little deeper water. I put on an intermediate or sinking line to get to the bottom.  It is my belief that the deeper water is slightly warmer in the spring than the surface water that is exposed to the cooler nights, rain, wind and sometimes snow. Also this is wear the majority of the feed is.

As far as techniques go I have found that when with fishing leaches and nymphs, the slower the retrieve, the better.  Cooler temps and less feed options have the fish wanting to excerpt as little effort as possible. Slower strips and longer pauses is how its done.

Chironomids under an indicator with slight to no movement at all is also very productive. Just make sure to get your depth set about a 12-18" off the bottom.

And when all else fails bait fish patterns work well.  One big meal for a fish can be pretty enticing when there isn't a lot of other food sources yet.

Happy Spring Fishing!!!

Sharing the outdoors with our youth

Taking time to spend a day with our youth is priceless!!

The Future of are outdoor sports depends on moments like these.



Special thanks to Gary Lewis, Matt and Dara Smith, Loren Irving and Lake In The Dunes for a great day!!

Owyhee River, Browns

Just a quick stop by the Owyhee river this weekend turned out to be very productive for my fishing partner (my wonderful wife) and I.  Here are just a few pics for everyone to enjoy!!

Smart Dog, New Hunter

       This morning started with a  good friend Duane, wanting to bring up a new hunter and teach him how to pheasant hunt.  Also to work his dog Brit who doesn't get out as much as she should.  Brit was ready to go as soon as she jumped out of the truck as usual, so we hurried off in search of the first rooster.
 
        Right away Brit showed us that she still new exactly what she doing with solid point and flush. John our new hunter was spot on with a great shot, folding the bird sending it crashing into the open water. With no hesitation Brit plunged into the cold water bringing back the prize.
        
        We continued on with our hunt to find Brit locked up right around edge of the lake again with in minutes.  As we approached, the rooster made a short run out on the ice that had formed the night before flushing at the waters edge.  Once again Brit was rewarded by another great shot by John.
       
         This time Brit just stood at the edge of the thin ice and stared at the downed bird.  She looked at it then back at us almost saying "No way! You go get it this time. That water was way to cold last time." Duane went to throwing rocks out near the bird to try and convince Brit to make the retrieve.  After ten minutes of this, he said "well, she hasn't hunted in a year. Maybe if we come back after getting a few more she'll swim out and get it." I agreed with him and we continued on.
           Brit rewarded us with three more great point, flush and retrieve scenarios but all over dry land.  On the walk back we spent another twenty minutes trying to convince Brit to retrieve our second bird that was still out at the edge of the ice and open water.  We tried every trick we could think of, from rock throwing, treat tossing to even shooting the water out past the bird.  Brit just still gave us the look of "No Way I learned my lesson the  first time. That water is way to cold."

       Duane finally turned to John "well looks like your getting wet! Welcome to bird hunting. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do." Before I could even suggest going and trying one of my dogs or crabbing the long poll with a hook on it I have, jimmy rigged for such occasions. John had his shoes off and was wast deep in the water. He wasn't going to let one of his first birds ever get away from him I suppose. Come to think of it more than one of us have been there too.

Brit just sat there with a smile in her face knowing that she won.

It's All About The Take

Guiding has taught me to enjoy the little moments in a day at the office. It's not always about when a client gets to take home a full limit of birds or is able to land multiple giant rainbows on dries. Although those days feel really damn good too!!!


 I came to the realization a long time ago that "It's All About The Take!"  As a guide, not being the one with gun or rod in hand, I get to enjoy "The Take" in many different forms.  There are so many of these moments that I can't list them all.  Here are three of my favorites...
  
 "The Take" that stands out in fly fishing is when I watch that giant fish almost eat a clients fly, and they have no idea. I find it the best when I get the look like I'm crazy after I jumped up and down like a little kid and said "Holy crap did you see that fish! He almost ate it!!"

"The Take" in upland hunting is when I get to see the look in the eyes of a pointer that is sure that a bird is there. If they could talk they would say "Shhh!!! It's right there!" or "Hurry up. I've done my part."  It could be one of my dogs or a client's dog, it doesn't matter. However, almost every trip, a dog and I get to share a brief moment both knowing that we have done our job. As we go in together to flush a bird knowing that the fate will be left up to someone else.  Sometimes the dog gets rewarded with a retrieve and I get rewarded with high fives but no matter what we both get rewarded because we got to do what we love.

Some day's it's about watching the joy of someone new to the sports, young or old, have that moment where everything clicks. The best is when they say to themselves, not thinking that anyone is paying attention, "That was Awesome!!" When this happens I feel really good inside to know that I was part of introducing them to a life time of great adventures.

I'm positive that if we all take the time to look in our daily lives we will find the little "Takes" all over!

Chironomid Fishing!!

Most of us have heard about Chironomid fishing or the term "Chirono bobbin" from a fellow fly fisherman, or over heard the buzz in the local fly shop. So what is every body so worked up about?

Well here are just a few things I've learned about chironomids.

1. They exist all over the world!
2. They are found in any aquatic environment.
3. They hatch from ice off to ice on.
4. A trout relies on them for a at least 50% (maybe more) of their diet year round.


With these four things in mind this why I fish them.

When a chironomid is ready to head for the surface it wriggles its way out of the mud and makes its journey to the surface very slowly becoming an easy target. It will rest many times before it reaches surface. This is why we "Chirono Bob". Putting on an indicator and suspending your fly is the best way to imitate this process.
Big trout are lazy!! They spend their day slowly swimming around slurping up this easy and abundant food source.
Once they reach the surface they are still an easy target. This is the time when the lake is like glass and most of us can get so frustrated trying to figure out what that those trout are lazily sipping on. Take the indicator off, put on a non bead head or hatching midge pattern and try your best to get that fly a few feet in front of the feeding fish.

Finally, when they are an adult they are not much of a target for the trout. But don't rule it out!

There are many different sizes and color variations that you should carry in your box. This is due to many factors, water clarity, oxygen levels, temp, and makeup of the lake your fishing.

Needless to say I have a whole box devoted to just chironomid patterns for a reason!
 

Ana River, Summer Lake Oregon

A few years ago if someone told me to break out the trout rod, tie on a dry fly and blow up the tube, we're going TROUT fishing in FEBRUARY, I would have told them their NUTS!!!

 Come to find out it can pretty good way to get a trout fix!

There are a few pieces to the puzzle when finding a way to get that fix in the middle of winter, 

   First, you need to find a tail water or spring creek that the water temps/flows aren't heavily effected by the harsh elements of winter.  Many of these waters exist where bugs and trout still go about there daily lives even though the rest of us try to hide in side by the fire.

 

Second, do a little research before you go. Find out what bugs will be there so that you'll be prepared to capitalize on the moments that will come. A Few staples in winter will always be BWO'S, MIDGES and STREAMER PATTERNS. Have these in your box but there could be something else so look it up, the Internet is an amazing fishing tool.

 Third, you need to come the truth that there is no such thing as bad weather just bad gear! The gear now days is worth buying because it opens the door to let us get out and enjoy what god created for us.

Fourth, find some friends that are just as CRAZY as you are! 

When you tell the story of that one (or more) fish that schooled you it's nice to have someone else as a witness :-)

Finally, HAVE FUN NO MATTER WHAT!!!!!

 

Pheasant Hunting at Lake In The Dunes

This is my first video at Lake In The Dunes

Winter time tying

It gets dark way to early this time of year and I turn to the tying table. Tying is a great way to stay warm inside, fill the boxes and still keep my mind focused on what I love (fishing). It is amazing how tying a few flies amps me up for a great float this weekend down the Ana River in hopes to hit the incredible blue wing olive hatch! Stay tuned for the fishing report.