The big stoneflies are pretty much finished up on the lower Deschutes, and it’s time to look toward the other food sources that sustain fish through the summer. Caddis are really starting to become a staple food source, and both subsurface and dry patterns are producing fish. We have also been seeing an assortment of different mayflies coming off. PMDs, Grey Drakes, Green Drakes, and others have been providing opportunity to opportunistically throw dry flies when rising fish are around. Beyond that, nymphing has been the name of the game and most consistent producer of fish. Stonefly nymphs are always a staple food source, and Pheasant Tails, Hare’s Ears, and other general mayfly nymphs in smaller sizes are finding fish as well. One of our favorite ways to fish as the Caddis grow more prevalent is to trail a Caddis pupa, fish will take it both dead drifted and on the swing so make sure to let that drift come in to the bank when nymphing.
Suggested Dries: Cutters Caddis #16-18, X Caddis #16-18, Parachute Adams #14-18, Tilt Wing PMD #14-18, Purple Haze #14-18, PMD Sparkle Dun #16-18
Suggested Nymphs: Black or Brown Jimmy Legs #8-12, Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear #14-18, BH Pheasant Tail #14-18, CDC Pheasant Tail #14-18, Olive or Tan BH Sparkle Pupa #16-18, Nitro Caddis Pupa #16-18, HE or Olive Anato-May #14-18, Depth Charge #16-18, Black or Red Two Bit Hooker #16-18, Black Lightning Bug #16-18