The Upper Deschutes is fishing extremely well heading into the holiday week—as long as you're prepared for those infamous mosquitos. Thick clouds of bugs are the norm right now, so bring strong repellent and consider a head net to stay sane and focused on the fishing.
The hatch scene is all about PMDs and Caddis, with fish responding to both emergers and adults during afternoon and early evening windows. During mid-day, dry fly activity slows down, but the subsurface bite stays steady. Terrestrials like ants and beetles are also in play—especially around meadow stretches, grassy banks, and blow-down zones.
For nymphing, both Euro and indicator setups are producing well. Perdigons, Scuds, Spanish Bullets, Pheasant Tails, and Fire Starters are all solid choices. Focus on seams, pocket water, and softer current edges. If you're looking to target larger fish, small streamers like the Sculpzilla stripped tight to structure have been drawing hard takes from undercuts and timber.
Later in the day, dry fly action picks back up. A Purple Haze or Parachute Adams will cover most of the bug activity and tend to move fish consistently when the light gets low.
All said, this stretch is in great shape. The variety of water types, the mix of bug life, and the chance to fish dries, nymphs, and streamers in the same day make the Upper D a great option through the week ahead.