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LAKE REPORT - 10/16/26

LAKE REPORT - 10/16/26

The Cascade Lakes continue to offer some good late-season opportunities. Both Paulina and East continue to produce good fish, while Crane Prairie has been more variable depending on the day. Cooler water is helping spread fish throughout the lakes, although low water and changing fall weather remain important considerations for boat access.

Beetles, ants, and larger attractor dries continue to provide good opportunities at Paulina. Dry-fly activity has become more limited at East, where subsurface presentations and streamers are increasingly worth focusing on. Chironomids remain important across the high lakes, with the remaining Callibaetis activity becoming less consistent as October progresses.

Subsurface fishing remains productive with balanced leeches, chironomids, scuds, and smaller nymphs all worth having in the rotation. Paulina's weed beds and deeper ledges continue to produce, with streamers also becoming a good option for larger trout. Leeches and baitfish patterns remain worth fishing at East, while smaller leeches and chironomids continue to be options at Crane Prairie. Crane Prairie closes to angling November 1, while East and Paulina remain open year-round.

Recommended Flies

  • Foam Beetle (#12–16)

  • Flag Ant (#14–16)

  • Purple Chubby (#10–12)

  • Callibaetis Cripple (#16–18)

  • Chromie Chironomid (#14–18)

  • Red Ice Cream Cone (#12–16)

  • Callibaetis Cate (#16–18)

  • Red Two Bit Hooker (#14–18)

  • Balanced Leech – Olive (#10–14)

  • Kreelex Minnow (#4–8)

jim sanco

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