LAKE REPORT - 7/10/26
The Cascade Lakes continue to provide excellent summer fishing.
Crane Prairie continues to reward anglers searching for larger trout along channels, weed edges, and submerged structure, while East Lake and Paulina Lake are producing some of the most consistent trout and kokanee fishing in Central Oregon. Early mornings and evenings remain the prime windows before afternoon winds and boat traffic increase, although fish are continuing to feed throughout the day in the right water.
Callibaetis are becoming increasingly important across the lakes, creating dependable dry fly opportunities during the afternoon and evening. Chironomids continue to produce throughout the day, while damselfly nymphs are becoming more active as they move toward shoreline vegetation. At East and Paulina, terrestrials are beginning to contribute, with ants and beetles producing opportunistic eats. Crane Prairie continues to fish best around emerging insect activity, particularly where weed beds meet deeper channels.
Suspending balanced leeches, chironomids, and Callibaetis nymphs beneath an indicator continues to be the most consistent approach. Anglers covering water by slowly retrieving leeches, Woolly Buggers, and small baitfish patterns are finding some of the better fish cruising drop-offs and weed lines.
Recommended Flies
- Callibaetis Sparkle Dun (#14–16)
- Callibaetis Cripple (#14–16)
- Black Chironomid (#16–20)
- Chromie Chironomid (#16–20)
- Balanced Leech – Black (#10–12)
- Balanced Leech – Olive (#10–12)
- Callibaetis Nymph (#14–16)
- Damsel Nymph (#10–12)
- Olive Woolly Bugger (#8–10)
- Flying Ant (#12–14)
