Big Bug Anticipation
It’s getting closer and closer to the stonefly hatch here on the Lower Deschutes. This week we have had some great mayfly hatches and the first few stoneflies emerging in the grass. Even though the bugs are not out in full force yet, a fair number of trout have been taken on the stonefly dries suspending our droppers. Mayflies are coming off great on cloudy wet spring days. Caddis are ramping up on the sunny days as well and creating another wonderful addition to our surface offerings.
River Conditions -
It has taken some time this spring for flows to drop but everything is shaping up nicely now. This week the release out of the dam is down to the lowest it has been in a while at 3,950 cfs. The flows at the mouth are also down to a nice and manageable 5,200 cfs. The White River has mellowed out and dropped to 550 cfs and should continue to slowly drop as long as we don’t get another big rainstorm. Temps at the dam are ranging between 52 to 54 degrees and temps at the mouth are ranging between 52 and 56 degrees. These temps are making for some great trout fishing as this range is a prime metabolic rate temperature for Redbands. As temps increase over the next couple weeks the stoneflies will begin to hatch with more intensity and the Mayhem, pun intended, will begin.
What’s Happening -
This April has been a wild one with weather here in Maupin. Rain, sun, snow, hail, and wind have all been on the table. Last week we had some incredible storms come through while I was guiding. The fishing was tough prior to the fronts hitting us, but once the rain and hail ceased the mayflies came out in good numbers and fish got back to feeding. If the weather is beating you up just take a break to enjoy the scenery and before you know it you could find yourself in the midst of a wonderful dry fly session.
Pale Morning Duns, Blue Wing Olives, and March Browns have been mostly stealing the show for surface activity. I have, however, gotten a handful of fish on caddis patterns this week on both sunny days and the mornings following a sunny day. If it’s raining and cloudy post up on a riffle and wait for the mayflies, and if it’s sunny and warm wait till the afternoon and work a caddis dry along the grass lines and pocket water.
Stoneflies are beginning to show up in small numbers due to the colder spring. This week a fair number of Yellow Sallies climbed out of the grass while I was guiding and I saw one Golden Stone and one Salmonfly. These may not be the numbers we have seen by this time in previous years, but they are a precursor to what is coming in the next couple weeks. We caught a number of fish on the stonefly dries while fishing dry dropper. Just remember to slow down and let them eat the dry before setting the hook. Our winter nymphing habits can come back to haunt us in the spring. I too have been known to farm a fish or two while mentally adjusting to a slower dry fly hook set.
Trout Spey with streamers has been slow on sunny days. Swinging soft hackles on cloudy days during the mayfly hatches has been good though. If you are swinging soft hackles, make sure you swing them fast and focus your efforts on riffle breaks where the hatches come off with the most intensity. A mix of soft hackle colors is necessary to cover all of the different hatches and size 16 has been most consistent.
Spawning is still happening on the Deschutes, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled. If fish are paired up in the shallows or if you are seeing clean gravel piles be sure to give them some space to make our next generation of finned friends.
Flies That Are Working -
CDC Comparadun March Brown Size 12,14,16
Purple Parawulff Size 16
Hi Vis Parachute Adams Size 14 &16
CDC Comparadun PMD Size 16
Galloup’s Tilt Wing PMD Size 16
CDC Blue Wing Olive Cripple Size 16 & 18
Hi Vis Parachute BWO size 16 & 18
CDC Comparadun BWO Size 16 & 18
Purple Haze Parachute Size 14, 16 & 18
Jimmy Legs Stonefly Nymph Size 6, 8 &10
Bead Head Girdle Bug Size 6, 8 &10
Pink Bead Tasmanian Devil Size 16 & 18
Pink Bead Hares Ear Size 16
Pink Bead Pheasant Tail Size 16
Roza’s Red Tag Jig Size 16
Roza’s Pink Tag Jig Size 16
Red Midge Pupa Size 18 & 20
Silver Bead Pheasant Tail with Hot Orange Collar Size 18 & 20
Silver Bead Blue Glo Brite Perdigon with Hot Orange Collar Size 16
Jigged Kreelex Minnow in Gold and Silver Size 8
Jigged Mayers Mini Leech in Olive Size 8
Jigged Hot Bead Mayers Mini Leech in Black Size 8
Henry’s Fork Foam Stone Size 16, 14, 12 & 10
Chubby Chernobyls in a variety of sizes and colors.
Thanks for tuning in to my fishing report. I will be posting a mid May update letting everyone know when the fish really get keyed into Stonefly dries. I hope everyone had a great April and found plenty of spring fish. Tight lines, and I’ll see you on the water!
