Fall is here!
September is here and the cold mornings are a welcome reprieve from the hot dog days of summer. The water temps are dropping, trout are happy as ever eating throughout the whole day and steelhead numbers are ramping up!
River Conditions -
Over the last few weeks the water temps have been steadily dropping with cooler nights and lower daytime highs. The temps coming out of the dam are ranging between 53 and 55 degrees and temps down at the mouth of the river are ranging between 58 and 64 degrees. With these cooler temps the caddis are coming out again in good numbers and midge hatches have been prolific. Flows have been fairly steady with only slight fluctuations of around 150 cfs. Flows out of the dam are currently 3,600 cfs and flows down at the mouth are currently 4,100 cfs. The White River acted up for a few days last week due to some rain on the mountain but has since cleared and the clarity below the confluence is once again fishable for both steelhead on floating lines as well as trout.
What’s Happening With Trout -
With the change in the season and lower temps the caddis are coming out in good numbers in the Maupin area again. In addition to the large numbers of caddis hatching, the midges are coming out in full force. Our trout will feed on midge dries, but due to the nature of our river fishing a midge dry can be difficult. Some large eddies upriver from Maupin can provide decent dry fly opportunities during midge hatches. If you don’t have the opportunity to fish one of those eddies then there is no need to worry as trout will heavily feed on midge pupa below the surface all day. Lately I have been fishing small size 20 midge pupa and pheasant tails. These flies have been day-savers when the trout aren’t interested in eating my usual size 16 fair.
Trout spey has been a great option for anglers looking to mix it up throughout the day. When swinging for trout, don’t be afraid to change your presentation multiple times until you find what strikes there fancy for the day. One day last week I was swinging for trout and they were happy to eat a mid-paced passively swung fly. But the very next day longtime guide Brian Silvey said the most productive presentation for him was stripping the fly as it swung, making for a quick fleeing presentation. It just goes to show you that willingness to change your presentation can be the difference between finding a lot of fish or just a few.
Trout fishing has been great all day, though I have noticed that the early morning session has been a bit less productive. This means if you aren’t concerned with steelhead fishing you can sleep in a bit and still find happy trout. Evenings are back in business. For those coming out late on a Friday afternoon, there’s still time to find a fish after throwing up your tent in a site. Stay out late when you’re in town and take advantage of the absence of hunting Osprey in the afternoon!
What’s Happening With Steelhead -
The numbers of steelhead are really ramping up. I have been talking with a lot of guides working the lower river, and we are all consistently finding a fish a day. For the fortunate few, some people are having those magical multiple fish days. One outfitter guiding near the mouth even found 11 in one day!
I have done four different floats from Macks Canyon to Heritage landing and have yet to float that section without finding fish. I had two great guys on a three day camp trip floating from Macks to the mouth, and during that float we had multiple legitimate grabs tearing line off and brought four of those fish to hand. Three fish were found on floating lines and traditional flies and one fish was taken on a sink tip in the sun with a muddler.
Our fish here on the Deschutes like to eat small flies. The only time I upsize my flies is when the clarity of the river deteriorates and I need the fish to see my offering, or when November rolls around and water temps drop. Even in November, if I get a grab on a small intruder or marabou fly I will switch to a summer hair wing or muddler as a comeback fly.
Flies That Are Working -
Henry’s Fork Foam Stone Size 14, and 16
Hi Vis Micro Chubby in assorted colors Size 14 and 16
CDC Bullet Head Caddis in Olive or Brown, Size 16 and 18
Finfetcher Caddis in Olive or Tan, Size 16 and 18
Elk Hair Caddis in Olive, Tan, or Brown Size 16 and 18
Silver Bead Green Glo Brite Perdigon in Size 16 and 18
Silver Bead Blue Glo Brite Perdigon in Size 16 and 18
Silver Bead Roza’s Green Tag Jig Size 16
Pink Bead Tasmanian Devil Size 16
Pink Bead Pheasant Tail Size 16, 18 and 20
Pink Bead Hares Ear Size 16, 18 and 20
Copper Bead Olive Hares Ear Size 16 and 18
Copper Bead Quilldigon Size 16 and 18
Egan’s Frenchie Size 16, 18 and 20
Root Beer Midge Pupa Size 20
Black Zebra Midge Pupa Size 20
Olive and Partridge Soft Hackle Size 14 and 16
Peacock and Partridge Soft Hackle Size 14 and 16
Tan and Partridge Soft Hackle Size 14 and 16
Sculpzilla in Natural and Olive Size 4 and 6
Olive Bugger Size 10
Mayers Mini Leech Size 12
Turkey Wing Orange Muddler Size 6 and 8
Steelhead Bee Size 8
Tied Down Steelhead Caddis Size 8
Rusty Bomber Size 6
Any of your favorite Hair-wing or Skater Steelhead flies in smaller sizes
Thanks for tuning in to my fishing report. Don’t hesitate to get out and enjoy some fall trout fishing here on the Lower Deschutes. Remember that when the trout don’t seem hungry, just give them a size 20. I hope everyone searching for a grab from steelhead has success in all of their endeavors and enjoys the beauty of spey casting. Tight lines to all getting out there to fish this coming month. I’ll see you on the water!
