With Wickiup Reservoir less than a quarter full, irrigation managers in Central Oregon are concerned about what effect that might have on next summer’s water availability for some farmers and ranchers.

As the evening sun sank slowly behind the pine forest, fish were rising along the marshy riverbanks as far as the eye could see. One finally rose to my dry fly, and I pulled back with a fierce hook-set. Too strong. The fish were small, and I pulled the hook right out of this one’s mouth.

Were horror master Stephen King to apply his talents to Bend’s proposed surface water project, he couldn’t choose two more frightening words than “complexity” and “uncertainty.” Both words figure prominently in an Aug. 16 memorandum to city councilors from Bend’s finance director, who describes some of the “complex financial considerations” that will affect the project. Compounding the complexity is the “uncertainty of ... funding” needed to mitigate rate hikes for city water users.

One wildfire broke out in Central Oregon Thursday, while progress on the White Lightning Fire near Maupin will allow for the reopening of the Deschutes River this morning.

New viewing platforms placed near Whychus Creek and the Metolius River, as well as an improved road up to the Black Butte Trailhead, are among the improvements recommended in U.S. Forest Service proposals for recreation sites in the Sisters area.

A major piece of the Deschutes Paddle Trail is finalized with the implementation of 30 informational kiosks at various Cascade lakes

Above-average temperatures on the Lower Deschutes this summer have steelhead anglers concerned about the quality of fishing on the river and the overall health of its hard-fighting, oceangoing rainbow trout.

The power company expressed interest in the site more than a year ago but faces one main hurdle: The area is currently protected by the federal Wild and Scenic River designation.

Biologists from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife are scheduled to survey fish populations on sections of the Middle Deschutes, beginning today and running through Friday.

Squinting into the sun Saturday morning, Ken Bicart surveyed the flotilla of inflatable crafts edging into the current of the Deschutes River at Riverbend Park, and tried to get a little betting action going.