The Redband fishing on the Lower has been decent, with some days fishing better than others. Ultimately, those who are properly presenting small nymphs throughout the day will find quality fish, but it can take a little patience. There is still pretty good opportunity to throw dries, with numbers of PMDs out most mornings and a mixture of PMDs and Caddis coming off throughout the day. We haven’t seen much in the way of cloudy afternoons, but when they appear they can bring around some great surface action. Otherwise, the most consistent action will be subsurface. We like fishing a two nymph rig with a small stonefly up front followed by a Baetis, Emerger, or Caddis Pupa. Fish may have moved around a little with the cooler weather so don’t be afraid to fish a new spot or two.
As for Steelhead, we are starting to see better numbers of fish working their way up the Columbia. A good number of these fish are headed for the Deschutes, and there are fish being caught in the lower stretches of the river. Those who are putting in the time are seeing some sporadic success, but right now a lot of the game is having the fortune to be in the right place at the right time. Swing flies with confidence and hope for the best.
Suggested Dries: Parachute PMD #16-18, Tilt Wing PMD #16-18, Parachute Adams #16-18, Purple Haze #16-18, Purple Parawulff #16-18Henry’s Fork Caddis #16-18, Cutters Caddis #16-18, Elk Hair Caddis #16-18
Suggested Nymphs: Jigged Tungsten Hare’s Ear #16, Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear #14-18, Bird’s Nest Natural Depth Charge #16, Two Bit Hooker #16-20, BH Pheasant Tail #16-20, Micro Mayfly #16-20, Anato-May#16-20, Pearl or Black Rainbow Warrior #16-20 Pearl or Black Lightning Bug #14-18, Sparkle Pupa #16-18 Jimmy Legs #10-12