There is no doubt that summer is in full swing in Central Oregon, and we’ve been having some really hot days with air temps pushing 100 on many stretches of the Lower Deschutes. For those willing to brave the heat, the fishing has been great on the Lower river. The summer Caddis are in full swing, and the Redsides of the Lower Deschutes are happy and hungry. The number of Caddis and Mayflies out right now create great opportunity to fish dries, especially early in the mornings and towards last light. The fish are more prone to feed subsurface during the heat of the day, but the bugs will still be out and it is worth having a dry fly rod with a Caddis pattern at the ready for pods of rising fish in back eddies and near trees that provide shade and cover. Nymphing throughout the day will be the most consistent way to find fish, with the standard two-fly rig of a Jimmy Legs followed by a Mayfly nymph or Caddis Pupa as the go-to option. While water temps are a little higher than normal for this time of year they are still hovering in the high 50s and trout are plenty comfortable. However, fish may hunker down and feed a little less during the warmest hours of the late afternoon.
Suggested Nymphs: Brown or Black Jimmy Legs #10-12, Black Depth Charge #16-18, Jigged Tungsten Hare’s Ear #14-16, Jigged CDC Pheasant Tail #14-16, Brown or Black Super Sinker #14-18, Red or Black Two Bit Hooker #16-18, Olive or Tan Sparkle Pupa #16-18, Olive Soft Hackle #14-18, Nitro Caddis Pupa #16-18, Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail #14-18, Black Lightning Bug #14-18
Suggested Dries: Parachute PMD #12-18, Tilt Wing PMD #14-18, Parachute Adams #14-18, Purple Haze #14-18, PMD Sparkle Dun #16-18, X2 Caddis #16-18, Cutters Caddis #16-18, Olive or Tan Elk Hair Caddis #16-18