Summer Caddis and droppers
Throughout June, both dry fly and dry dropper fishing above and below the falls produced some beautiful trout and great memories. Big thanks to everyone who came out this June to enjoy the river! After a temperate start to summer and happy trout, 100+ days are forecasted in the coming week, and we are officially headed into summer fishing conditions on the Deschutes.
River Conditions -
The flows coming out of the dam are currently 3,800 cfs. Flows at the mouth are currently 4,400 cfs. Temps coming out the dam are ranging between 55 and 57 degrees and after making it’s way through the canyon temps at the mouth are ranging between 62 and 68 degrees. The water temps will change over the next week with a heat wave forecasted. As the hot summer weather moves in, I encourage everyone to take water temps throughout the day and consider giving the trout a break if water temps rise above 70 degrees.
What’s Happening With Trout -
Caddis hatches are just starting to get good on the upper river above Maupin. I was guiding a camp trip last week from Trout Creek to Maupin, and though we failed to find fish sipping caddis mid-day, we did have great success fishing dries in the evening after the sun dropped behind the canyon walls. The lack of mid-day feeding was likely due to the fact that we had a full bright moon, which provided trout with ample time to feed through the night when they feel most protected. On the last day we had good cloud cover and dry fly fishing was good with trout eating caddis and smaller chubbies in boulder strewn pocket water. The upper river is still seeing some great hatches of PMDs and PEDs on cloudy days.
Below Maupin, caddis have been out for a while now and are now joined by aquatic moths. If you are fishing in the Maupin area or below you can find fish feeding on dries in the shade of trees and grass lines. Be sure to bring caddis dries with you and keep your eyes peeled for rising trout as you cover water with dry dropper. The aquatic moths can be a great food source for trout as well. A tan caddis with a lightly colored wing will imitate this fly well and also fool the fish that is focused on caddis.
Mayfly hatches have dropped off on the lower sections of river but there are still some Pale Evening Duns coming off at night. If you are fishing the evening shade on a stormy day I would stash a few in your fly box.
Changing weather inevitably brings tough days when our trout appear to have all but disappeared, but where there is a will there is a way. If you find yourself having a lack of productivity on dries or dry dropper, I would first recommend changing your dropper in size or color. A couple days ago we were having difficulty finding fish and a size 20 pheasant tail dropper proved to be the change needed. If this doesn’t work, going deeper with a nymphing rig towards the back end of riffles can be a good tactic.
Another option for days when the fish appear uncooperative is the trout spey or streamer game. This method won’t work everywhere, but if you find fast oxygenated water with lots of structure and strip or swing a sculpin or leech pattern you can turn a tough day around. Olive Sculpin and leech patterns are always my go-to. Trying some flies with a bit of flash on sunny days can be deadly as well.
What’s Happening With Steelhead -
I know, I know. Everyone is thinking why is he talking about steelhead already when it’s so early in the season? Well, the numbers over Bonneville dam are impressive for even this early in the game! The total count of steelhead over Bonneville is 10,491. This bodes well for the rest of the season and I have already started to pry the water with a skated dry fly or traditional hair wing. I’ll be sure to let everyone know when my first encounter with a steelhead happens.
Flies That Have Been Working -
Henry’s Fork Foam Stone Size 12, 14, and 16
Hi Vis Micro Chubby in assorted colors Size 12, 14 and 16
Chubby Chernobyl in assorted colors Size 8, 10, and 12
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
Galloup’s Tilt Wing PMD in Size 14, 16, and 18
CDC Comparadun PED in Size 12 and 14
Silver Bead Green 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 Hares Ear Size 16 and 18
Copper Bead Olive Hares Ear Size 16 and 18
Copper Bead Quilldigon Size 16
Egan’s Frenchie Size 16, 18, and 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
Kreelex Minnow in Gold and Silver Size 4 and 6
Olive Bugger Size 10
Mayers Mini Leech Size 12
Thanks for tuning in to my fishing report! I’ll keep everyone posted on how the steelhead season kicks off and post another trout update before too long. I hope everyone is having a great summer. Tight lines and I’ll see you on the water!
