Late winter/early spring in Oregon is an iffy proposition. It’s 55 and balmy one day and cold and spitting snow the next.

Borden Beck Wildlife Preserve near Lower Bridge on the Middle Deschutes is an inviting destination no matter what the day’s mood.

Because there’s something about a river. Its banks can be coated in snow, the sky can hang gunmetal gray and heavy above it, and wind chill can be a major factor. But the river keeps rolling on, clucking over rocks and easing through deeper runs.

It was clucking and easing a lot like that in July when it was 70 degrees out, the sun was just off the water and the caddis had started hatching in fluttering profusion. The trout were on a jag and my homespun elk hair caddis was good enough to fool eight or 10 rainbows and browns before it got too dark to see.

Walking back along the river to the Borden Beck parking lot that evening, enjoying the post-piscatorial afterglow, it felt like summer would last forever. Which it didn’t. And like the river would keep right on running. Which it will.

For a great day hike right now, park at the Borden Beck Wildlife Preserve parking lot just east of Lower Bridge and mosey upstream along the north bank of the river. Right away, you’ll see why it’s a wildlife preserve. Ducks and geese abound; songbirds flit among the barren trees above the high waterline.

There are also some dramatic rock formations – in and out of the river – along the way.

A little more than a half-mile upstream you come to a rock that juts into the river. You can get around it, but you’ll have to get your feet wet. Better yet, bring waders.

Better yet, bring your fly rod. There are some likely looking holes along this stretch and, if you happen to catch it on one of those balmy springlike days, there may even be some dry fly action.

If not, weighted nymphs should put you in the vicinity of some respectable trout.

Fishing is restricted to artificial flies and lures only; there’s a two trout limit. The part of the angling regulations for the Middle Des-chutes about being able to keep one brown trout over 20 inches is enough to make the most jaded fly fisher’s heart race. Good to know they’re there but loving them and leaving them is the best policy.

Enjoy the walk, whether it’s with rod or without, a mile or three or five.

Just remember to keep yourself and your dog on the trail and be mindful that there’s wildlife about.

-Jim Witty