We’re wrapping up another Salmonfly season on the Lower Deschutes. Things got a little interesting this year with the cold and cloudy weather that took hold right as the bugs were really starting to move around on the banks, but all in all the fishing met expectations and there were plenty of good dry fly days to be had. At this point the hatch has pretty much worked its way up through the Warm Springs area and while the optimistic angler may still find a fish or two trying to squeeze in a couple more of the big bugs it is time to start thinking about other approaches to fishing the lower river. As we transition into summer, nymphing will be the most consistent way to find fish. There are Stonefly nymphs in the water year round so it’s never a terrible idea to have a Jimmy Legs or something of that sort leading a double nymph rig, but the fish will start to key into smaller bugs as the Mayflies and Caddis of Summer become more and more active. We’ve got plenty of warm days in the forecast, and have already received reports of some decent Caddis hatches bringing fish to the surface on certain evenings. During the middle of the day and on days that don’t provide much in the way of a hatch, stick to a double nymph rig with a Mayfly/Caddis combination below an indicator for the best results. Most of the bugs in the water right now will be in the size 14-18 range.
Suggested Dries: Cutter’s Caddis #14-18, X Caddis #14-18, Outrigger Caddis #14-18, Tilt Wing PMD #14-18, Parachute PMD #14-18, Parachute Adams #14-18, Purple Haze #14-18, Clark’s Stone #10-12, Norm Wood’s Special #10-12, Golden Chubby Chernobyl #8-12
Suggested Nymphs: CDC Jigged Pheasant Tail #14-16, Jigged Hare’s Ear #14-16, Red or Black Two Bit Hooker #16-18, Micro Mayfly #16-18, BH Pheasant Tail #14-18, Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear #14-18, Tan Sparkle Pupa #14-18, Nitro Caddis Pupa #14-18