Fishing report

Due to the long hot summer, guided trips I scheduled were moved to this Fall because my clients simply didn’t want to come out here to fish in the extremely uncomfortable temperatures we had in July and August. I was pretty busy from mid September to the end of October. These were all trout trips and the fishing was fair at best. Hatches were not very abundant, making it necessary to use nymphs and wet flies.

Currently, the hatches are mostly small caddis and some very small BWO’s. Keep them in the 18 to 20 size range to help your odds. Concentrate your efforts in riffles, tail-outs for riffles and deep runs along steep banks. At times, you’ll need to fish further out from the bank and get your flies deep. This time of year, these are great places to fish nymphs and wet flies throughout the day.     

Also try big pocket water wholes behind large rocks and boulders, where the water is very deep. Places like this produce vertical seams that rotate aquatic insects around and around like a washing machine. Trout find safety and a good food source in pocket water. Don’t pass them by.

I would recommend the following fly pattern suggestions. BWO’s, size 20’s, Caddis adults, Larva and Pupa, size 16’s, 18’s & 20’s. Other Pattern Suggestions: Thorax BWO 18’s, Elk hair Caddis, 16’s, 18’s, &20’s. Hares Ear Soft Hackle, 16’s & 18’s, Prince Nymphs, 12’s and 14’s, Sparkle Soft Hackles, 16’s, 18’s, CDC BH Pheasant tails, 14’s, & 16’s Double bead caddis, 14’s and 16’s. Lightening Bugs, 16’s, Rainbow Warriors, 16’s & 18’s & 20's

River level from Pelton Reregulating Dam: 4,280 CFS and the water temperature is 53 degrees.Steelhead Report:

As mentioned before, the Steelhead run this year wasn’t much better than last year. The numbers of Steelhead did justify ODFW’s decision to open the season. However, most of the reports I’ve been getting have been poor. People have been putting many days, and in fact weeks into getting just one grab. In may opinion, hardly worth the effort.

Please join and support the Deschutes River Alliance. We are fighting very hard to preserve, protect and maintain the health and wellness of the Deschutes River.

Go to this link to find out what’s been happening and educate as many friends as you can.

 http://www.deschutesriveralliance.org/

If you have Q’s, Please don’t hesitate to call, we will be glad to help!

John Smeraglio

Deschutes Canyon Fly Shop Guiding Services

P.O. Box 334, Maupin, OR. 97037

(541) 395-2565              john@flyfishingdeschutes.com