These are all hatchery summer runs caught well above Deer Creek. The river really hasn't been fishable below Deer Creek since the rains set in a few weeks ago. The last Deer Creek fish I saw was the first week of August and then I started fishing cutthroat in the lower river. I'm not an expert on the run timing of the Deer Creek fish but I would guess that most of them are up the creek already. There are usually hatchery summer runs migrating to the upper river through the first part of November. The biggest push comes with the first good rains of October. This year not as many because of no plants two years ago. Most of the fish are a little colored up and some are excellent fighters. On December 1st the gear guys siphon most of the summer fish out of the river. The peak of the winter run usually doesn't happen until after the new year. I have not been real successful in catching winter fish with my fly rod but I don't usually try too hard. Usually come mid- November I head over to the Skagit and play with the dogs and dollies.
Sincerely, Keith
