LAKE REPORT - 8/21/26
The Cascade Lakes are beginning to show some late-summer changes, with East Lake and Paulina Lake currently offering better trout opportunities and warm water beigining to be a concern at Crane.
East Lake has seen a good Longhorn Caddis emergence recently, while the expected second round of Callibaetis has been slower to develop. Chironomids remain important in deeper water, with beetles producing when temperatures allow fishing the shallows. Paulina has been more consistent recently, with hoppers and beetles producing some quality fish and larger rainbows becoming more noticeable.
Subsurface fishing remains the best option with chironomids, balanced leeches, Callibaetis nymphs, and darker mayfly patterns producing. At East, working deeper water with chironomids has been a good midday option, while Paulina continues to fish well with leeches and nymphs around drop-offs and weed edges.
Recommended Flies.
Longhorn Caddis (#16)
X-Caddis (#16)
Foam Beetle (#12-16)
Yellow Hopper (#10-12)
Chartreuse Ice Cream Cone (#12-16)
Red Two Bit Hooker (#14-16)
Dark Assassin (#14-16)
Callibaetis Nymph (#14-16)
Balanced Leech – Brown/Orange (#10-12)
Balanced Leech – Black (#10-12)
