RECORDED:85 °FISHING: Good
To keep updated on steelhead movement up the Columbia River, click on “FISH COUNTS” on this site. Also, be sure to check out our great deals in the Web Specials section of fisheyesoup.
Steelhead: Sherars to Beavertail: poor to fair chance of a tug. Beavertail to Macks: fair to good chance of fish. Macks to the Mouth: good to very good steelheading.
Here at the shop we are all getting excited for what could be a very good year. Fish are moving, water levels are just above average, and water temperature is right around 60 so it is time to wet a line.
The usual patterns have been doing the trick, so take your favorite flies and swing them with confidence. Take some wakers and skaters too, cause they’ve been aggressive. Most of the Steelhead being caught are wild, no surprise there, thats usually the case this early in the run. Have fun!!!
Red Side Trout:
Water levels are a hair above average at 4030, which is a good thing. The trout fishing has been good, some slow periods between hatch activity etc... water temperatures are below average, so this should hold up through this month. July is a bug-rich month, especially with caddis. With is warm summer weather, focus your angling attention to the mornings and evenings. Midday you can find trout in the oxygen-rich riffles, fast water pockets, and in the deep, steep bank runs. Check the foam lines for sipping fish feeding on the spent may flies and caddis. PMD’s morning and midday and PED’s in the evenings have been quite consistent so be prepared with PMD nymphs, and emerger and adult patterns of both. July is usually a great month for intense caddis action, so be prepared with all stages of net spinning caddis, weedy water sedge, and igloo case builders. Its important to have each stage of these caddis flies in your fly box, to switch patterns quickly, helping you find out what the trout are keyed in on. Larva, Pupa, Adults, and spent patterns in Olive, tan, and ginger, sizes 14 through 18. A size 16 or 18 tan elk hair caddis, spent partridge caddis, or X caddis is almost never a bad choice if you like to catch ‘em on top.
Current Hatches on the Deschutes River are: MAY FLIES: PMD’s, Size 16, PEDs, Size 10 or 12, BWO’s, Size 18 or 20 CADDIS: Igloo Case Building, Size 16 or 18, American Grannums, Size 16 or 18, Net Building, Size 18 or 20. STONE FLIES: Yellow Sally’s Size 16 or 18 CRANE FLIES: Crane Fly’s, Size 16 MIDGE: Midge pupa Size 18 or 20
Check out our “HATCH CHART” for more.
Fly Patterns you should have: Yellow Sally Stone Nymph, PMD Nymphs, size 16, PMD Emergers, size 16, PMD Adults, size 16, PED Emergers and PED Adults, size 10 or 12, Cased Caddis, size 10 or 8, Net Spinning Caddis, size 16 or 18, Igloo Case Building Caddis, size 18 or 20, Crane Flies, size 16n or 18, and Midge, size 18 to 22. Make sure that you have some Rusty Spinners, size 16 or 18, emerger patterns like Soft Hackles, Caddis Pupas, and don’t forget those Cripple Patterns.
Other useful fly patterns are, Bead Head CDC Prince Nymph 10 ~ 12, light bright dubbed Soft Hackle (green), bright green sparkle Green Rock Worms, and Silvey’s Prime Pupa’s, Lighting Bugs size 14, Zug Bugs size 14, King Prince Nymph, size 12~16 and a red, green and gold Copper John’s 16 ~ 18s, and a wire bodied Prince Nymph size 10, in black, red, or green. Deschutes Water Conditions: Water temperatures are between 59 and 62 degrees, color is clear. White River Water Conditions: Color is glacier grey / light green, not effecting the Deschutes.
You still have time to fish our lakes before we shut them for the month of August. Click on "Private Lakes" for more info.
For information regarding Deschutes River hatches, click on “HATCH CHART”.
Have more questions? Allow our helpful staff to assist you. Please call ~ John, Karen, Nate, or Joe at: Deschutes Canyon Fly Shop Toll free (866) 647-4721
With the warm weather has come a slight spike in the water levels. It is now running at 4,690 cfs, so it is not a major change. This may throw the trout off a little bit, but I would expect the trout to adjust to this water level in a day or so. The fishing has been fair to great, some slow periods between hatch activity etc... but for the most part, good. July is a bug-rich month, but if we continue to have this hot weather you will need to focus your angling attention to the mornings and evenings. Midday you can certainly still find trout in the oxygen-rich riffles and steep banks. Time has run out on the Stoneflies in the Maupin section and downstream. PMD’s morning and midday and PED’s in the evenings have been quite consistent so be prepared with PMD nymphs, and emerger and adult patterns of both. Also, caddis action can be fairly consistent so be prepared with all stages of free living caddis, especially Pupa patterns in Olive sizes 14 and 16. A size 16 tan elk hair caddis is almost never a bad choice if you like to catch ‘em on top.
Current Hatches on the Deschutes River are: PMD’s, Pale Evening Duns, BWO’s, a few Green Drakes, Free living Caddis, Igloo Case Building Caddis, American Grannum Caddis, and midge. Check out our “HATCH CHART” for more. Fly Patterns you should have: Stone Fly Nymph’s, (Black, Brown and Gold), Matt’s Fur Nymphs, PMD Nymphs, PMD Emergers, PMD Adults, PED Emergers, PED Adults, Cased Caddis, Free Living Caddis, Igloo Case Building Caddis, and Midge. Make sure that you have some emerger patterns with you like Soft Hackles, Caddis Pupas, and don’t forget those Cripple Patterns.
Other useful fly patterns are, Possy Buggers, light bright dubbed Soft Hackle (green), bright green sparkle Green Rock Worms, and Silvey’s Prime Pupa’s. Cast a Leech or Bugger Pattern in a size range of 10~14’s. In addition, Lighting Bugs size 14, Zug Bugs size 14, and Cased Caddis size 10~12, Prince Nymphs, size 8~14, King Prince Nymph, size 12~16 and a red copper wire bodied prince nymph size 10. Water temperatures are between 51 and 54 degrees. The color is what it should be now, nice and green. Trout have moved into some of the quicker paced seams along the edges of riffles, and in the tails of riffles, where the water deepens and the current slightly slows. Make sure you cover the back eddies and the foam lines in the slow deep runs against those steep banks. Midday, look to riffles and shaded runs. This time of year is when our private lakes fish well. Click on “PRIVATE TROPHY LAKES” for day use, and overnight rates.
For information regarding Deschutes River hatches, click on “HATCH CHART”.
Have more questions? Allow our helpful staff to assist you. Please call ~ John, Karen, Nate, or Joe at: Deschutes Canyon Fly Shop Toll free (866) 647-4721
The Deschutes River is now flowing at a slightly above normal level of 4,460 and has been flowing at that level for the last few days so the fish are well adjusted to the current levels. The fishing has been fair to great, some slow periods between hatch activity etc... but for the most part, good. of course June is a wonderful month due to all the hatches that take place. If you want to throw the adult stone, time is running out, however, trout will still key on the Goldens occasionally so it is worth a shot. PMD’s midday and PED’s in the afternoons have been quite consistent so be prepared with PMD nymphs, and emerger and adult patterns of both. Also, caddis action can be fairly consistent so be prepared with all stages of free living caddis, especially Pupa patterns in Olive sizes 14 and 16.
Current Hatches on the Deschutes River are: Golden Stones, Mahogany Duns, BWOs, PMD’s, Pale Evening Duns, a few Green Drakes, Free living Caddis, Igloo Case Building Caddis, American Grannum Caddis, and midge. Check out our “HATCH CHART” for more.
Fly Patterns you should have: Stone Fly Nymph’s, (Black, Brown and Gold) Stone Fly Adults, Norm Wood Special, Matt’s Fur Nymphs, Cased Caddis, Free Living Caddis, Igloo Case Building Caddis, and Midge. Make sure that you have some emerger patterns with you like Soft Hackles, Caddis Pupas, and don’t forget those Cripple Patterns.
Other useful fly patterns are, Possy Buggers, light bright dubbed Soft Hackle (green), bright green sparkle Green Rock Worms, and Silvey’s Prime Pupa’s. Cast a Leech or Bugger Pattern in a size range of 10~14’s. In addition, Lighting Bugs size 14, Zug Bugs size 14, and Cased Caddis size 10~12, Prince Nymphs, size 8~14, King Prince Nymph, size 12~16 and a red copper wire bodied prince nymph size 10.
Water temperatures are between 51 and 54 degrees. The color is what it should be now, nice and green. Trout have moved into some of the quicker paced seams along the edges of riffles, and in the tails of riffles, where the water deepens and the current slightly slows. Make sure you cover the back eddies and the foam lines in the slow deep runs against those steep banks.
This time of year is when our private lakes fish well. Click on “PRIVATE TROPHY LAKES” for day use, and overnight rates.
For information regarding Deschutes River hatches, click on “HATCH CHART”.
Have more questions? Allow our helpful staff to assist you. Please call ~ John, Karen, Nate, or Joe at: Deschutes Canyon Fly Shop Toll free (866) 647-4721
RECORDED:75 °FISHING: Good
Red Side Trout: The Deschutes River is now flowing at a slightly above normal level of 4,400 and has been flowing at that level for the last four days so the fish are well adjusted to the current levels. The fishing has been good, some slow periods between hatch activity etc... but for the most part, good. of course June is a wonderful month due to all the hatches that take place. If you want to throw the adult stone, time is running out, however, trout will still key on the Goldens occasionally so it is worth a shot. PMD’s midday and PED’s in the afternoons have been quite consistent so be prepared with PMD nymphs, and emerger and adult patterns of both. Also, caddis action can be fairly consistent so be prepared with all stages of free living caddis, especially Pupa patterns in Olive sizes 14 and 16.
Current Hatches on the Deschutes River are: Golden Stones, Mahogany Duns, BWOs, PMD’s, Pale Evening Duns, a few Green Drakes, Free living Caddis, Igloo Case Building Caddis, American Grannum Caddis, and midge. Check out our “HATCH CHART” for more.
Fly Patterns you should have: Stone Fly Nymph’s, (Black, Brown and Gold) Stone Fly Adults, Norm Wood Special, Matt’s Fur Nymphs, Cased Caddis, Free Living Caddis, Igloo Case Building Caddis, and Midge. Make sure that you have some emerger patterns with you like Soft Hackles, Caddis Pupas, and don’t forget those Cripple Patterns.
Other useful fly patterns are, Possy Buggers, light bright dubbed Soft Hackle (green), bright green sparkle Green Rock Worms, and Silvey’s Prime Pupa’s. Cast a Leech or Bugger Pattern in a size range of 10~14’s. In addition, Lighting Bugs size 14, Zug Bugs size 14, and Cased Caddis size 10~12, Prince Nymphs, size 8~14, King Prince Nymph, size 12~16 and a red copper wire bodied prince nymph size 10.
Water temperatures are between 51 and 54 degrees. The color is what it should be now, nice and green. Trout have moved into some of the quicker paced seams along the edges of riffles, and in the tails of riffles, where the water deepens and the current slightly slows. Make sure you cover the back eddies and the foam lines in the slow deep runs against those steep banks.
This time of year is when our private lakes fish well. Click on “PRIVATE TROPHY LAKES” for day use, and overnight rates.
For information regarding Deschutes River hatches, click on “HATCH CHART”.
Have more questions? Allow our helpful staff to assist you. Please call ~ John, Karen, Nate, or Joe at: Deschutes Canyon Fly Shop Toll free (866) 647-4721
RECORDED:60 °FISHING: Good
Red Side Trout: Good news, the Deschutes River is now flowing at a normal level of 4,510 for this time of year, well, normal is 4,490 CFS, so its a difference of 20 CFS, no big deal. Anyway, the fishing has been good, some slow periods between hatch activity etc... but for the most part, good. of course June is a wonderful month due to all the hatches that take place. If you want to throw the adult stone, this is the time. Trout are keyed in the big guys, particularly in the afternoon/evening hours. Today the winds are high so, it will be tough casting and mending conditions.
Current Hatches on the Deschutes River are: Salmon Flies, Golden Stones, Mahogany Duns, BWOs, PMD’s, Pale Evening Duns, a few Green Drakes, Free living Caddis, Igloo Case Building Caddis, American Grannum Caddis, and midge. Check out our “HATCH CHART” for more.
Fly Patterns you should have: Stone Fly Nymph’s, (Black, Brown and Gold) Stone Fly Adults, Norm Wood Special, Matt’s Fur Nymphs, Cased Caddis, Free Living Caddis, Igloo Case Building Caddis, and Midge. Make sure that you have some emerger patterns with you like Soft Hackles, Caddis Pupas, and don’t forget those Cripple Patterns.
Other useful fly patterns are, Possy Buggers, light bright dubbed Soft Hackle (green), bright green sparkle Green Rock Worms, and Silvey’s Prime Pupa’s. Cast a Leech or Bugger Pattern in a size range of 10~14’s. In addition, Lighting Bugs size 14, Zug Bugs size 14, and Cased Caddis size 10~12, Prince Nymphs, size 8~14, King Prince Nymph, size 12~16 and a red copper wire bodied prince nymph size 10.
Water temperatures are between 49 and 52 degrees. The color is what it should be now, nice and green. Trout have moved into some of the quicker paced seams along the edges of riffles, and in the tails of riffles, where the water deepens and the current slightly slows. Make sure you cover the back eddies and the foam lines in the slow deep runs against those steep banks.
This time of year is when our private lakes fish well. Click on “PRIVATE TROPHY LAKES” for day use, and overnight rates.
For information regarding Deschutes River hatches, click on “HATCH CHART”.
Have more questions? Allow our helpful staff to assist you. Please call ~ John, Karen, Nate, or Joe at: Deschutes Canyon Fly Shop Toll free (866) 647-4721
RECORDED:65 °FISHING: Good
Red Side Trout: The Deschutes River has come back into shape after the blow out of last Thursday night. Yesterday people were catching fish off and on throughout the day. They concentrated there efforts close to the bank, as recommended, and found trout with dries and nymphs. The river level has dropped to 5,430 CFS from 6,400 CFS. Thats high, but, the fish have adjusted into this flow level and as long as it remains constant, they should remain comfortable and feed on a regular bases.
Current Hatches on the Deschutes River are: Salmon Flies, Golden Stones, Mahogany Duns, BWOs, PMD’s, Pale Evening Duns, Free living Caddis, Igloo Case Building Caddis, American Grannum Caddis, and midge. Check out our “HATCH CHART” for more. Fly Patterns you should have: Stone Fly Nymph’s, (Black, Brown and Gold) Stone Fly Adults, (orange and gold), Matt’s Fur Nymphs, Cased Caddis, Free Living Caddis, Igloo Case Building Caddis, and Midge. Make sure that you have some emerger patterns with you like Soft Hackles, Caddis Pupas, and don’t forget those Cripple Patterns.
Other useful fly patterns are, Possy Buggers, light bright dubbed Soft Hackle (green), bright green sparkle Green Rock Worms, and Silvey’s Prime Pupa’s. Cast a Leech or Bugger Pattern in a size range of 10~14’s. In addition, Lighting Bugs size 14, Zug Bugs size 14, and Cased Caddis size 10~12, Prince Nymphs, size 8~14, King Prince Nymph, size 12~16 and a red copper wire bodied prince nymph size 10. The Deschutes is in good condition, contrary to what you may have heard. We have seen some color change, but its just a tinge of glacier color which does not hurt the ability for fish to see as much as one might think.
Water temperatures are between 49 and 52 degrees. As I mentioned in the last report, some drop in water temperature can occur if the weather warms up quickly, which increases run off from the abundant snow pack. I have noticed that some trout are starting to move into some of the quicker paced seams along the edges of riffles, and in the tails of riffles, where the water deepens and the current slightly slows down.
This time of year is when our private lakes fish well. Click on “PRIVATE TROPHY LAKES” for day use, and overnight rates.
For information regarding Deschutes River hatches, click on “HATCH CHART”.
Have more questions? Allow our helpful staff to assist you. Please call ~ John, Karen, Nate, or Joe at: Deschutes Canyon Fly Shop Toll free (866) 647-4721
RECORDED:65 °FISHING: Good
Red Side Trout: The Deschutes River has come back into shape after the blow out of last Thursday night. Yesterday people were catching fish off and on throughout the day. They concentrated there efforts close to the bank, as recommended, and found trout with dries and nymphs. The river level is steady at 6,400 CFS. Thats high, but, the fish have adjusted into this flow level and as long as it remains constant, they should remain comfortable and feed on a regular bases.
Current Hatches on the Deschutes River are: Salmon Flies, Golden Stones, Mahogany Duns, BWOs, PMD’s, Pale Evening Duns, Free living Caddis, Igloo Case Building Caddis, American Grannum Caddis, and midge. Check out our “HATCH CHART” for more.
Fly Patterns you should have: Stone Fly Nymph’s, (Black, Brown and Gold) Stone Fly Adults, (orange and gold), Matt’s Fur Nymphs, Cased Caddis, Free Living Caddis, Igloo Case Building Caddis, and Midge. Make sure that you have some emerger patterns with you like Soft Hackles, Caddis Pupas, and don’t forget those Cripple Patterns.
Other useful fly patterns are, Possy Buggers, light bright dubbed Soft Hackle (green), bright green sparkle Green Rock Worms, and Silvey’s Prime Pupa’s. Cast a Leech or Bugger Pattern in a size range of 10~14’s. In addition, Lighting Bugs size 14, Zug Bugs size 14, and Cased Caddis size 10~12, Prince Nymphs, size 8~14, King Prince Nymph, size 12~16 and a red copper wire bodied prince nymph size 10. The Deschutes is in good condition, contrary to what you may have heard. We have seen some color change, but its just a tinge of glacier color which does not hurt the ability for fish to see as much as one might think.
Water temperatures are between 49 and 52 degrees. As I mentioned in the last report, some drop in water temperature can occur if the weather warms up quickly, which increases run off from the abundant snow pack. I have noticed that some trout are starting to move into some of the quicker paced seams along the edges of riffles, and in the tails of riffles, where the water deepens and the current slightly slows down.
This time of year is when our private lakes fish well. Click on “PRIVATE TROPHY LAKES” for day use, and overnight rates.
For information regarding Deschutes River hatches, click on “HATCH CHART”.
Have more questions? Allow our helpful staff to assist you. Please call ~ John, Karen, Nate, or Joe at: Deschutes Canyon Fly Shop Toll free (866) 647-4721
RECORDED:63 °FISHING: Poor
Red Side Trout: Emergency Report. The Deschutes Blew out last evening about 5:40 PM in the Maupin area due to the heavy rains that fell in Bend, Redmond, and Madras the past 3 days. Trout Creek and the Warm Spring rivers are both doing the damage. looks like it ‘s going to take about 3 to 5 days to clear up. The Warm Springs area is still in good shape if you want to try up there. Another thing to think about is going up to our private lakes at Wild Winds Ranch. Call to book at (541) 395-2565.
Current Hatches on the Deschutes River are: Salmon Flies, Golden Stones, Mahogany Duns, BWOs, PMD’s, Pale Evening Duns, Free living Caddis, Igloo Case Building Caddis, and American Grannum Caddis, and midge. Check out our “HATCH CHART” for more.
Fly Patterns you should have: Stone Fly Nymph’s, (Black, Brown and Gold) Stone Fly Adults, (orange and gold), Matt’s Fur Nymphs, Cased Caddis, Free Living Caddis, Igloo Case Building Caddis, and Midge. Make sure that you have some emerger patterns with you like Soft Hackles, Caddis Pupas, and don’t forget those Criple Patterns.
When things get back to normal, the fishing gets going around 10 AM and holds up pretty well through the day. The evenings are showing signs of improvement, so after dinner could be fun for an hour or so.
Other useful fly patterns are, Possy Buggers, light bright dubbed Soft Hackle (green), bright green sparkle Green Rock Worms, and Silvey’s Prime Pupa’s. Cast a Leech or Bugger Pattern in a size range of 10~14’s. In addition, Lighting Bugs size 14, Zug Bugs size 14, and Cased Caddis size 10~12, Prince Nymphs, size 8~14, King Prince Nymph, size 12~16 and a red copper wire bodied prince nymph size 10. The Deschutes is in good condition, contrary to what you may have heard. We have seen some color change, but its just a tinge of glacier color which does not hurt the ability for fish to see as much as one might think.
River levels from Pelton Regulating Dam are higher than normal at 6,800 CFS. Should start to drop in a few days.
Water temperatures are between 49 and 51 degrees. As I mentioned in the last report, some drop in water temperature can occur if the weather warms up quickly, which increases run off from the abundant snow pack. We may not see water temps in the 50’s until May. This means that you still want concentrate your efforts in slower runs, back eddies, and steep high bank runs with slow currents and foam lines. I have noticed that some trout are starting to move into some of the quicker paced seams along the edges of riffles and in the tails of riffles where the water deepens and the current slows slightly.
This time of year is when our private lakes start to fish well. Click on “PRIVATE TROPHY LAKES” on our home page.
For more information regarding hatches, Go to the “HATCH CHART” on the home page menu on this site.
Have more questions? Allow our helpful staff to assist you any way we can!!! Please call John, Karen, Nate, or Joe at: Deschutes Canyon Fly Shop Toll free (866) 647-4721
RECORDED:50 °FISHING: Good
Red Side Trout: We are into late May with weather that is very inconsistent along with fishing success. This past week, Monday was poor, Tuesday was very good, Wednesday windy and tough as well as yesterday. We give the good rating because at this time of year the fishing can be good on given days. The “catching” starts to pick up about 10 AM and continues off and on until about 6 PM.
Must have patterns are Mahogany Duns, BWOs, PMD’s, Stone Fly Nymph’s, Stone Fly Adults, ( both orange and gold), Matt’s Fur Nymphs, Cased Caddis, Free Living Caddis, Igloo Case Building Caddis, and Midge. Make sure that you have some emerger patterns with you.
Most of the emergent stages will happen late morning, After 11:00 AM. For best results, restrict your efforts to the middle hours of the day. Most early spring hatches are “photo activated”, meaning the hatches that occur are triggered by how many hours of light have been on the water as opposed to a water temperature increase or decrease.
Other useful fly patterns are, Possy Buggers, light bright dubbed Soft Hackle (green), bright green sparkle Green Rock Worms, and Silvey’s Prime Pupa’s. Cast a Leech or Bugger Pattern in a size range of 10~14’s. In addition, Lighting Bugs size 14, Zug Bugs size 14, and Cased Caddis size 10~12, Prince Nymphs, size 8~14, King Prince Nymph, size 12~16 and a red copper wire bodied prince nymph size 10. The Deschutes is in good condition, contrary to what you may have heard. We have seen some color change, but its just a tinge of glacier color which does not hurt the ability for fish to see as much as one might think.
River levels from Pelton Regulating Dam are higher than normal at 5,200 CFS. The heavy snow pack that we have all been worried about is now running off and will continue for a while. Be prepared to fish in areas further up the bank because fish will be in very close. Regardless of these flow levels, the river is in good shape and is still fishable.
Water temperatures are between 49 and 51 degrees. As I mentioned in the last report, some drop in water temperature can occur if the weather warms up quickly, which increases run off from the abundant snow pack. We may not see water temps in the 50’s until May. This means that you still want concentrate your efforts in slower runs, back eddies, and steep high bank runs with slow currents and foam lines. I have noticed that some trout are starting to move into some of the quicker paced seams along the edges of riffles and in the tails of riffles where the water deepens and the current slows slightly.This time of year is when our private lakes start to fish well. Click on “PRIVATE TROPHY LAKES” on our home page.For more information regarding hatches, Go to the “HATCH CHART” on the home page menu on this site. Have more questions? Allow our helpful staff to assist you any way we can!!! Please call John, Karen, Nate, or Joe at: Deschutes Canyon Fly Shop Toll free (866) 647-4721
RECORDED:65 °FISHING: Fair
Red Side Trout: The improvement we experienced last week, has remained. Most of the “catching” is still best from 11 AM until 5 PM. Trout will look to dries between 1 and 4 PM. Though April is the peak month for our trout to spawn, a good percentage of fish have not completed their cycle. Trout will continue to spawn well into May, so be very careful NOT to fish or wade in these areas.
Must have patterns are Mahogany Duns, BWOs, Stone Fly Nymph’s, Matt’s Fur Nymphs, Cased Caddis, Free Living Caddis, Igloo Case Building Caddis, and Midge. Make sure that you have some emerger patterns with you.
Most of the emergent stages will happen late morning, After 11:00 AM. For best results, restricted your efforts to the middle hours of the day. Most early spring hatches are “photo activated”, meaning the hatches that occur are triggered by how many hours of light have been on the water as opposed to a water temperature increase or decrease.
Other useful fly patterns are, Possy Buggers, light bright dubbed Soft Hackle (green) and Bloody Mary’s. Cast a Leech or Bugger Pattern in a size range of 10~14’s. In addition, Lighting Bugs size 14, Zug Bugs size 14, and Cased Caddis size 10~12, Prince Nymphs, size 8~14, King Prince Nymph, size 12~16 and a red copper wire bodied prince nymph size 10. The Deschutes is in good condition, contrary to what you may have heard. We have seen some color change, but its just a tinge of glacier color which does not hurt the ability for fish to see as much as one might think.
River levels from Pelton Regulating Dam in Madras have decreased to below a normal level of 4,200 CFS. I know most of you are very concerned regarding the heavy snow pack and how it will effect the spring and early summer river levels. They are going to be higher than normal. The trout will hold in water close to the bank, and this means we all have to fish further back. Its no big deal. Don’t be reluctant to change your fishing strategies, trout have to feed every day so. make adjustments and put your flies in front of the fish, not your feet. As long as we have a slow steady rise of freezing levels, the river should remain in good fishing shape.
Water temperatures are between 48 and 50 degrees. As I mentioned in the last report, some drop in water temperature can occur if the weather warms up quickly, which increases run off from the abundant snow pack. We may not see water temps in the 50’s until May. This means that you still want concentrate your efforts in slower runs, back eddies, and steep high bank runs with slow currents and foam lines. I have noticed that some trout are starting to move into some of the quicker paced seams along the edges of riffles and in the tails of riffles where the water deepens and the current slows slightly.
This time of year is when our private lakes start to fish well. Click on “PRIVATE TROPHY LAKES” on our home page.
For more information regarding hatches, Go to the “HATCH CHART” on the home page menu on this site.
Have more questions? Allow our helpful staff to assist you any way we can!!! Please call John or Karen Smeraglio at: Deschutes Canyon Fly Shop Toll free (866) 647-4721
