The lazy parts of the Lower Deschutes River offer ever-changing views of the canyons and landforms that make up the river. There are common sightings of bighorn sheep and mule deer.

As the summer weather stretches into September, salmon and steelhead runs are increasing in the Columbia River. Anglers are hoping many of the fish make it through the dams and take a right turn at the Deschutes.

Chris Peichel, customer service manager at Fin & Fire Fly Shop in Redmond, said the fishing has gotten “very good” below Shearer’s this week and anglers are excited to have larger numbers of fish in the river to target.

“This is the best year in at least the last three or four,” said Peichel.

According to Jason Seals, ODFW fish biologist for the district, its not yet clear how much of the Columbia’s solid returns will pass the dams and make their way into the Deschutes to spawn. Fish counts as of Sept. 11 were still very low at Sherar’s Falls, where the highest one-day total was just 22 fish, 9 of which were coho salmon. As of Sept. 16, just 22 hatchery steelhead — which are legal to harvest — had reached the falls.

But numbers were increasing by the day, and the catch is already good near the mouth of the Deschutes. Still, fish managers are wary to call this even an average return.

“The jury is still out kind of on how good a year its going to be,” said Seals.

But anglers don’t need to a jury verdict to try their luck.

On a popular float section of the river Sept. 10 — from the Buck Hollow put-in below Sherar’s Falls to the Columbia River at Heritage Landing — many dozens of anglers were targeting the late summer runs.

There’s a lot more than fish on the popular section of water. About 60 campsites dot the roadless section of river, many of which offer solitude, great views, swimming holes and — on some — a sandy beach. One of the downsides of making an overnight trip on the river are the loud trains that rumble up and down the canyon at all hours of the night. If you put your tent down on the west side of the river, prepare to wake up in a sweat with teeth chattering as a 100-car train rumbles past.

But the river has plenty of charms, too.

Richie Gardner of Pendleton, who has ran rivers all across the West, said the Lower Deschutes has become a favorite for him. That’s partly for its easy access off Interstate 84, the endless desert views that extend from river, and the 10-mile section of rapids that can get the adrenaline flowing for even serious boaters.

Some serious rapids do crop up on the float, mostly in the last ten miles. Washout and Gordon Ridge are Class III rapids that require concentration and respect, while the Colorado and Rattlesnake rapids are considered Class IV since they can flip rafts and boats that venture too close to its dangerous holes. Moody Rapids, near the Columbia, is only Class II, but has proved fatal in the past because (often inebriated) people think it’s easy enough to manage on a cheap innertube.

Rafting the Lower Deschutes is not without risks, but it is a good stretch for beginner to intermediate boaters. Stand-up paddleboarding has become more popular on the section, especially on the long stretches have slack water. Some venture into the more minor rapids, hoping to keep their balance and avoid injury.

Wildlife watching is often excellent, and more so when the fish are running. Ospreys and herons congregate around the water in large numbers. Otters and eagles take part in the feast as well. In the hills above the river, bighorn sheep and mule deer can be common at dawn and dusk.

And then there are the fish — salmon and steelhead launching themselves into the air from the deep holes where they rest and tease anglers.

And you don’t need a raft or a drift boat to get into them. Many people — especially residents of the Columbia Gorge — park downstream at the mouth and walk miles upriver to set up shop. But Central Oregonians don’t have to do that. Peichel said there is plenty of spots you can drive to between the falls and Macks Canyon, where the road ends.

“I’m too old to be huffing,” he laughed.