Central Oregon Flyfishers

🎣 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! 🌭

🚨 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

🎣 Want to help protect and better understand one of Central Oregon’s most important fisheries?

Central Oregon Flyfishers is once again teaming up with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for the annual Crooked River fish sampling, happening Monday, June 15th through Thursday, June 18th.

This is a unique opportunity to get directly involved in real fisheries conservation work alongside ODFW biologists and staff.

Using a raft-mounted electrofisher and mark-recapture sampling methods, the team works to estimate fish populations and monitor the health of the Crooked River fishery. Volunteers play a huge role by helping safely redistribute fish upstream during the process.

Volunteer Details:
▪️ June 15-18
▪️ Approximately 9 AM - 3/4 PM each day
▪️ Lunch provided for all volunteers
▪️ No experience necessary, just a willingness to help and learn!

This is one of those behind-the-scenes conservation efforts that most anglers never get to see firsthand.

If you’d like to volunteer for one or more days, please sign up through the ODFW volunteer registration link here: https://odfwvolunteer.wufoo.com/forms/z3n5nub0hddcuv

Questions?
📞 Tim Porter, ODFW Assistant District Fish Biologist
(541) 447-5111 (office)

📸 Photo courtesy of Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington.

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

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

A side of the Deschutes most anglers never get to fish. 🎣👀 This month, our Programs lead, Yancy Lind, is breaking down what it really takes to fish the tribal side of the Deschutes, and why it’s worth it.

Much of the west bank along the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs is closed to non-tribal anglers, with a small exception between Dry Creek and Trout Creek (with a permit). But the real opportunity? Fishing with a tribal guide -- unlocking more water, fewer crowds, and a deeper connection to the river.

We recently featured Randy Nathan of N8TV Adventures, a respected tribal guide and owner of Eagle Crossing Restaurant near the Warm Springs bridge. If you’ve ever been curious about this stretch of river, this is your chance to learn from someone who knows it intimately!

🎧 Listen to a recent podcast interview with Randy here:

842 | Deschutes Fly Fishing with Warm Springs Guide - Randy Nathan - Wet Fly Swing If you’ve been dreaming about Deschutes fly fishing with less pressure and more solitude, today’s episode is your roadmap. We sit down with Warm Springs tribal member and guide Randy Nathan, owner of the Eagle Crossing Restaurant at the Deschutes River crossing, to talk about what it really take...

Did you know COF meetings are packed with real-world fishing knowledge you can actually use? 🧐

This photo, taken from our last Central Oregon Flyfishers meeting, features Randy Nathan of N8TV Adventures, who guides on the Warm Springs side of the Deschutes.

Randy’s talk is a great example of what makes these meetings special: firsthand insight from guides, conservation voices, and anglers who live and breathe the water. 🎣

From conservation updates to fishing techniques and regional river intel, COF was created to educate, connect, and keep our fisheries strong for the next generation.

If you’re curious about fly fishing, local rivers, or conservation work in Oregon, join us! Learn more about becoming a COF member here: https://coflyfishers.org/join_us

Calling all Central Oregon Flyfishers members! Help us make a kid’s first catch unforgettable! 🤗

We’re gearing up for the Spring Angling Clinic, and we need your help. Right now, we’re short on volunteers for several key dates, including April 21, 23, 24, and May 7.

📍 Clinic Dates & Locations:
• April 20, 21, 23, 24, 2026 -- Shevlin Pond
• May 7 & 8, 2026 -- Metolius Pond

This clinic gives students hands-on experience with knot tying, water safety, proper catch care, and fishing equipment basics. And best of all? Many of these kids will catch their first fish ever.

Lunch is covered (thanks to our friends at Sunriver Anglers), so all we need is you.

👉 Bonus: Join us for our annual Rod Repair Event on April 1, 2026 at the ODFW office (pizza included! 🍕)

If you’re available to lend a hand, please reach out to Fred Cholick:
📧 [email protected]

Built by hand and backed by community! 🎣

Several COF members rolled up their sleeves at the Oregon Council of Fly Fishers International's annual NW Fly Tyer & Fly Fishing Expo a few weeks back.

From swapping techniques to sharing stories, the Expo brings together anglers, conservationists, and industry folks who care deeply about the future of fly fishing in the PNW. It’s more than just tying flies; it’s about passing down knowledge, protecting our waters, and keeping the culture alive. 🏔

This is what it’s all about! A huge THANK YOU to everyone who showed up, pitched in, and helped make it happen. 💛

📸 Photos courtesy of Kate E.

Our March newsletter is now available! 📬 Dive in and discover the latest and greatest with Central Oregon Flyfishers.➡️ http://bit.ly/COFNewsletter