We’re just past the opener for the Upper Deschutes and everyone’s excited about the multitude of angling options now available throughout Central Oregon. There will be lots of anglers heading to the upper stretches of the Deschutes in the coming weeks to try and capitalize on the lack of pressure the fishery sees during the fall/winter closure. There are a multitude of areas and water types to fish, and all offer great opportunity to find various species and sizes of fish that are willing to eat. Keep in mind that the native Rainbows in the Upper D are just finishing up their spawning activity, so be sure to avoid redds and leave any straggling spawners to themselves. There are an abundance of food sources available right now; look for fish to be feeding primarily subsurface on Stoneflies, Mayflies, and eggs from the Rainbow spawn. As the weather continues to warm we’ll start to see more PMD activity, terrestrials will start moving around and falling off banks and into the feeding zones of the Rainbows, Brookies, and Browns that live in various sections of the Upper D.
Suggested Dries: Purple Haze #16-20, Tilt Wing PMD #16-18, Parachute PMD #16-18, Tilt Wing Mahogany #16, Parachute Adams #16-20, Peacock Chubby Chernobyl #14-16, CDC Flying Ant #16, Black or Cinnamon Foam Ant #16, Foam Beetle #14-16
Suggested Nymphs: BH Pheasant Tail #14-20, BH Hare’s Ear #14-20, Olive or Brown Micro Mayfly #18-20, Red or Black Two Bit Hooker #16-20, WD-50 #18-20, Black or Pearl Lightning Bug #14-18, Rainbow or Black Rainbow Warrior #16-20, Red or Black Copper John #14-18, Black or Brown Jimmy Legs #10-12, San Juan Worm