Deschutes Trout Fishing Report + Fish Story

Fly fishing for trout on the Lower Deschutes has been mostly good.  No matter how good it can be there always seems to be a tough day here and there.  Fortunately they have been few and far in between over the past two weeks.

The tail end of the salmonfly hatch found the trout hiding deep under the trees and only eating bugs that were impossibly real.  Using the most ruthless under the trees, gorilla style fishing tactics we were able to still catch trout on big stoneflies as of last week.  Some incredible sight fishing opportunities have also been present using small caddis patterns to fool large trout rising in foamy pools underneath trees.

Fishing has transitioned to mainly a caddis fly show, with a few other smaller bugs mised in.  A size 14 olive EC caddis is a great fly to immitate most smaller caddis, mayflies, craneflies, etc... its a buggy pattern that just looks good to the fish.

While the salmonfly hatch is a lot of fun, I have to admit that it is nice to have the river uncrowded again.  This time of year is peak feeding and growing season for the trout and so they must consistently eat!  Looking forward to the summer solstice as well.  Here is a recent photo of Jim Simon's first fishing spot of the day...

So there we were, crouched under a patch of alder trees.  The river was pretty busy so I chose our first spot carefully.  We were watching a big redside slurp small bugs off the surface.  Occasionally it would chase away a slightly larger brighter trout.  it is nice when the fish are distracted by one another.  That gives us a little more margin for error.  Jim bow cast his fly but unfortunately it landed behind the trout by several feet and it wasn't moving for it.  With no chance of getting the fly back to hand without spooking the trout, Jim slooooowly stripped in line until just a couple of feet of tippet was hanging below the rod trip.  Then he dapped the fly on the surface, mimicking the bouncing egg laying behavior of a caddis fly.  The trout instantly became annoyed.  While Jim was dapping the fly it didn't always touch the surface.  The trout's facial expression seemed to get very angry and it reared back and jumped about six inches out of the water for the fly!!  I have only seen largemouth bass do that on TV!!  The trout missed the fly, but as soon as Jim layed it back on the water the fish turned and gobbled it.  After the trout feel the sting of the hook they usually burry deep into the middle of the river.  The trout started to do just that so I told Jim to let go of the line.  As soon as he did the fish must have turned around because it was gone.  Bummer!  While we were kneeling there soaking in the moment the larger and brighter trout moved into the same feeding position as the fish Jim just hooked was in.  Nearly the exact same situation unfolded... bow cast, then dapping.  This time the stars lined up and we brought this beauty to hand.  It was almost as long as my arm!  Good times...

Read more about fishing the caddis fly hatch.

Thanks for checking in,

Chris