The Upper Deschutes has continued to fish very well, and has certainly been helped out a little by the cool spring and early summer weather we’ve been having. Water temperatures have not warmed as quickly as they sometimes do, and while most stretches of the upper river are still at fishable temperatures we’ll likely see things warm up and slow down a little in coming weeks. The areas above Crane Prairie will have the most consistent temperatures and stay cool through the summer, so look to focus efforts on the small, fun water near the headwaters as things start to heat up. There are good varieties of Caddis and PMDs providing dry fly fishing opportunity, and the terrestrials are becoming a bigger factor now that we’re into the summer months. Nymphing the deeper holes is a good way to target the larger, more wary fish, and small streamers have been producing good results in areas of heavy cover.
Suggested Dries: Purple Haze #16-20, Elk Hair Caddis #14-18, X Caddis #14-18, Cutters Caddis #14-18, Parachute Adams #16-20, Tilt Wing Mahogany #14-18, Tilt Wing PMD #16-18, Parachute PMD #16-18, Zelon Cripple PMD #16, CDC Flying Ant #14-16, Foam Beetle #16, Peacock Chubby Chernobyl #14-16, Paracricket #14-16
Suggested Nymphs: Flashback Pheasant Tail #14-18, Two Bit Hooker #16-18, Mighty May #16-18, Anato-May #14-18, Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear #14-18, Red or Black Copper John #14-18, Black Lightning Bug #14-18, Black or Pearl Rainbow Warrior #16-20, Black or Red Zebra Midge #16-20