It’s as good a time as any to be fishing the Upper Deschutes. We’ve been having good days on all portions of the upper river, primarily fishing subsurface with nymph rigs and small streamers. A variety of Mayfly and Caddis nymphs have been producing, as well as egg patterns as the Rainbows finish their spawn. With the warmer weather in the forecast we should start to see more terrestrial activity, and it is time to start throwing ants, beetles, and attractor patterns, particularly in the small water between Little Lava and Crane Prairie. It isn’t hard to have a great day with a 3wt and a handful of dries when there are numbers of aggressive little Brookies and Rainbows looking for a quick meal. Caddis and PMDs are present throughout the Upper D to provide some dry fly fishing opportunities while the terrestrials get moving. We’ve seen a couple of quality fish come on small streamers and leech patterns which, when fished appropriately around the abundant deadfall in the Upper D, can be the way to find the bigger fish that lurk in hard to reach areas.
Suggested Dries: Purple Haze #14-20, Parachute Adams #14-20, Tilt Wing Mahogany #14-18, X Caddis #14-18, Black or Tan Elk Hair Caddis #14-18, Chubby Chernobyl #16, CDC Flying Ant #16, Foam Beetle #16, Black Foam Ant #16
Suggested Nymphs: CDC Jigged Pheasant Tail #14-16, BH Pheasant Tail #14-18, Two Bit Hooker #16-18, Micro Mayfly #16-18, Black Copper John #14-18, Jigged Hare’s Ear #14-16, BH Hare’s Ear #14-18, Black Lightning Bug #14-18, Olive Soft Hackle #14-18, Sparkle Pupa #14-18, Egg Patterns