With the Salmonflies out in full force on much of the Lower Deschutes, it’s a great time to head North in hopes of aggressive takes on size 6 or larger dries! The hatch is progressing upstream steadily, and while there are still plenty of bugs around in the Maupin area, the upper stretches of the Lower D are really starting to provide great days of dry fly fishing. Guides floating the Warm Springs-Trout Creek stretch have seen great success with dry flies in the past couple of days, and nymphing is always a viable option if the fish don’t seem to be keyed in on the adults. Keep in mind that the surface action will vary day to day, and that it pays off to put in time on the water.
There are several other hatches starting to gain momentum, with the Maupin area seeing decent numbers of PMDs, PEDs, and Caddis! Fish have been keying in on the PMDs and PEDs on cloudier days, and the nymphing has been consistent in the Maupin area.
Suggested Dries: Burnt Orange or Golden Chubby Chernobyl #4-8, Chubby Norm #6-8, Fluttering Stone Salmon #6-8, Orange or Yellow X Stimulator #4-8, Rogue Stone #4-8, True Salmonfly #4-8, Salmonfly Egg Layer #4-6, Parachute PMD #14
Suggested Nymphs: Black or Brown Jimmy Legs #6-10, Lex’s Improved Stone #6-8, Olive Sparkle Pupa #16-18, Nitro Caddis Pupa #16-18, CDC Pheasant Tail #14-16, Red or Black Two Bit Hooker #16-18, Black Lightning Bug #14-18, Olive Zebra Midge #16-18