The Salmonfly action on the Lower Deschutes is beginning to taper off, and while there are still big bugs around on the upper stretches of the lower river it is important not to focus on them as the primary option for catching fish. The fishing has been good, and we’ve been seeing success with a variety of techniques and patterns. Fishing a dry dropper will find good numbers of fish in the right water, and some of the large stonefly patterns which are ideal for floating nymphs will still produce aggressive takes from large trout still taking advantage of the remaining Salmonflies and Golden Stones. Caddis are becoming more prevalent as spring progresses, and there are a variety of Mayflies that are increasing in number with the warmer weather. It is time to start thinking about Green Drakes on the Lower Deschutes, and while we haven’t received any solid reports of consistent hatches occuring yet, we can expect to begin seeing them any day now. The Green Drake hatches are typically most prolific in low light conditions, so be ready for them the next time we see a cloudy or drizzly day.
Suggested Dries: Golden Chubby Chernobyl #4-8, Chubby Norm #6-8, Fluttering Stone Salmon #6-8, Orange or Yellow X Stimulator #4-8, Rogue Stone #4-8, True Salmonfly #4-8, Salmonfly Egg Layer #4-6, Parachute PMD #14, Carnage Drake #10-12, Para Green Drake #10-12, Tan Elk Hair Caddis # 16-20, CDC Caddis #16-20
Suggested Nymphs: Black or Brown Jimmy Legs #6-10, Lex’s Improved Stone #6-8, Olive Sparkle Pupa #16-18, Nitro Caddis Pupa #16-18, CDC Pheasant Tail #14-16, Red or Black Two Bit Hooker #16-18, Black Lightning Bug #14-18, Olive Zebra Midge #16-18