Deschutes Fly Fishing Report (pre hatch)

My first day on the upper deschutes this season was May 9th and it was a good one.  Warm Springs to Trout Creek, 4400CFS, water temp about 54 degrees.  May weather in Central Oregon is schizophrenic and this day was no different.  Gale force winds mostly pushing down river, hail, rain, and even sunshine and calm.  It was nice to be the only boat on the river, if at least for a while.  Happy to see the Sherriff doing his job, got a safety check while I was waiting on my folks.

Fishing started out pretty tough but it was expected first trip up and all.  Three rods fishing it didn't take too terribly long to start finding some fish. Our first fish  (pictured above) had some serious thickness.  We fished everything in the box and finally just settled in on what they were eating.  Big brown jimmy legs seemed to be all they wanted, and that's all they got!

So here's the deal, there are lots of adults, both Salmonfly and Goldens but the fish are NOT keyed on them yet.  We saw some BWO's and some smaller caddis popping off but no surface activity.   The fish are gorging themselves on salmonfly and stonefly nymphs, and they are stuffed beyond belief.  It's gonna heat up next week again, this is when the river is gonna go off.  As always don't show up early and have your mind set on fishing dries.

See you out there,

Sam Sickles
(541) 521-9054
www.steelheadoutfitters.com