
Jim Devereaux of Oakridge stays cool by fishing a pristine creek in the high Cascades.
By ROB DeHARPPORT/For The Herald — A ridge of high pressure is building off the Oregon Coast. This high pressure will bring the hottest temperatures of the year to the Highway 58 corridor. Temps are expected to reach the 90s and triple digits farther south.

Be sure to bring mosquito repellent along with sunscreen.
It looks like a perfect weekend to park our butts in the sand and toes in the water. Or, of course, grab your fishing poles and head for your favorite river, creek or lake.
If heading to the higher elevations be sure to bring mosquito repellent along with sunscreen as the squadrons of hungry “skeeters” await.
Mere mention of the word mosquito can bring to mind Waldo Lake, Summit Lake and other high Cascade locations. We are fortunate to have a wide variety of great places to escape the heat. Waldo Lake is accessible. However, there are still deep snowdrifts blocking trails or making hiking challenging on some of them.
Fishing success is varied throughout our area. Odell Lake is improving for kokanee for those trolling near the west bay. Have your trolling gear in the 30-to-50-foot zone.

Brook trout, rainbows and cutthroat trout are available in many Cascade streams. So are mountain white fish (center of photo) which are also delicious as the key ingredient in fish tacos or mixed in patty form with egg and crackers.
Paulina Lake is the other hot spot for kokanee with trollers quickly reaching their five-fish limits in the morning, leaving the afternoons for exploring or simply relaxing in a shady spot near water.
For the fly fisherman, Gold Lake is always a good choice as the bug hatches increase.
Many small creeks and streams hold small brook trout throughout our area. These creeks can be a great spot to take our young children or grandchildren fishing. If the fishing is slow, kids always love playing in the water.
Wherever you go, use caution as water temperatures can be dangerous this time of year. Please be safe with campfires as we are already seeing destructive forest fires threaten and destroy our Montana forests and the community of Red Lodge, Mont.

The high Cascades still has deep snowdrifts blocking trails or making hiking challenging on some of them.
As we know it can and DID happen here in Oregon last year. Let’s do our part to prevent that! Make sure your fires are completely out, drown them with water until there is no heat.
Leave our forests in better condition than when you arrived. Pack out all trash. Bring a trash bag and pick up trash left by the slobs. It just takes a minute.
Pack up a picnic lunch or the camping gear and head out and enjoy our great outdoors!
Rob DeHarpport, former mayor of Westfir, moved to the Crescent Lake community in 2015 shortly after retiring from a 31-year career in the trucking industry.