The Lower Deschutes opened a few days ago and it was a cold, wet and windy opener down there on the Warm Springs to Trout Creek float for our crew. On the water there were not many hatches of any kind to report from the day, but down below the fish were wanting to eat Stonefly nymphs and Jig Napoleon’s.
I think we will see the stonefly hatch in pretty full swing by Mother’s Day in Maupin and probably up to Trout Creek by the weekend of the 16th.
After the 14th our guide team is very busy, but between now and May 13th we have good availability to go with Troy, Steve, Michael, Sequoia, Gavin and Mattias.
While March Brown mayflies seen to be fading off until next season, PMD’s and Pale Evening Duns are increasing, and Caddis are certainly ready to take off for the rest of the spring and summer months. Nymphs and Pupa to match mayflies and caddis are essential flies to take. On the Lower Deschutes we have always relied on Pheasant Tail Soft Hackles, Yellow Soft Hackles and Sparkle Pupas. These are staples. Add new cool stuff like Split Case Emergers, Perdigons, Jig Napoleon’s, Fat Ass Caddis, TJ Hooker (brown is the D color), CDC Hares Ear and Orange Psycho Prince. Our guide Troy always loves his Copper John’s down there too.