Salmon Flies Starting to Stir- Deschutes, Oregon

Tanner Crandall with a dandy he hooked on a Chubby Norman- May 2, 2016

The expression on his face was priceless; the bend of the rod told the story.  This was no average Deschutes redside, this was a dandy.  The explosion on the surface surely surprised him- this being one of the first times my 9 year old son Tanner experienced salmon fly action on the Deschutes.  Sure, he's caught fish even some while he was too young to remember but this one I'm sure he will remember.  Camping, exploring Indian paintings and fishing on the Deschutes are sure to blaze strong memories of a lifetime no matter what the age. 

Well, it's that time of year when the big bugs of spring start to migrate from their stoney homes to the reeds and trees on the banks of the Deschutes River.  These big bugs are a highlight of the year as they represent the bounty of spring and kick off to the warm sunny season in this high desert canyon of central Oregon.  Virtual "Big Mac's" for trout these clumsy bugs fall into the river and are met with aggressive smashing strikes from hungry trout making for some of the best dry fly action of the season.

Favorite flies are big dry flies like sz 4,6 and 8 Stimulators, Chubby Chernobyl's, Sofa Pillows and such.  Using a short tapered leader tapered to 3X or 4X will help present these big flies close to the bank and under structure.  Water temperatures and flows are looking good and the hatch should be spread through the entire river and just getting better in the next 2 weeks.

Join us for trout fishing fun on the banks of Oregon's wild and scenic Deschutes River.  Water Time Outfitters guides have been working the Deschutes for over 20 years and love to share our favorite waters.  See more about our services at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Below is a photo journey of a recent father-son trip on the lower Deschutes.

Getting coaching from dad.

Exploring historic Native American pictographs

Golden Stone!

Fish to hand

Getting down the basics

Dry fly trout to hand

Big fish!  

Deschutes River - After the Hatch - Top Tips

Fishing pressure on the Deschutes during the world famous salmon fly hatch is as busy as it gets on this amazing river.  Trout feel the pressure and respond accordingly.  Here are a few tricks to increase your success "after the hatch".

1.  Fish smaller flies.  The big bugs crashing on the surface are gone- consider smaller Pheasant tail nymphs in sz 16 & 18.  Midge larvae are also productive in sizes 18-20.  

2.  Get your fly down.  Some of the biggest fish of the season are fooled on the big dries of salmon fly time- fool my once...These big guys are often reluctant to head to the surface after the hatch.

3. Dial in your emergers.  This can be a challenge as these are the most elusive bug to capture.  Try adjusting size and colors to find the best imitation of pmd and caddis emergers for success. 

4.  Fish deep in back-eddies.  As hatches wane, more food piles up in eddies.  Fish deep here for the big fish of the river.  Try a sunk mayfly spinner pattern. 

Good luck out there on the water!  

Deschutes River Salmon Fly Report May 2015

We've been guiding most every day on the world famous Deschutes River salmon fly hatch.  Fishing has been good as river levels are at very low flows for this time of year.  The hatch that creates such a buzz is the salmon fly hatch- "big mac" meals for feisty rainbows on the lower 100 miles of the Deschutes River.  These big bugs are up to 3" long and provide a super size meal for post spawn-wild redband rainbows of this legendary tailwater river.

The primary focal points for trout fishing the Deschutes are from Warm Springs area to Maupin.  This includes good access points like Mecca Flats, Trout Creek and South Junction.  Easily accessed areas above and below the centrally located town of Maupin also provide room to roam on one of Oregon's biggest trout rivers.  For our guided adventures we focus on the most inaccessible section of this most loved river in Oregon.  We float 32 mile stretch from Trout Creek to just above Maupin.  This float brings the angler on a three day adventure through the wild and scenic canyon and away from the easy accessible and often crowded roadside locals.  Be ready for whitewater however because this solitude does not come easy; you must pass muster with the class 3+ Whitehorse rapid which stretches it's wild ride over 2 miles.  Already this year 2 boats have been bested by this rapid and sunk beneath the dangerous waves.  There are many points of entry to the Deschutes salmon fly action- as the hatch begins to wane, as it is now, focus on the upper segments like Trout Creek, Mecca Flats and Warm Springs.

                        Mark Angel works to retreive a boat that sunk in Whitehorse Rapids last week.

This year with record low snow pack and very mild spring temperatures the waters of the lower Deschutes have warmed quickly and the hatch is as early as I have ever seen it on the lower D.  Some reports of salmon flies showing as early as May 1 were reported this year.  When water temps hit 52.5 degrees is often when the big bug migration occurs.  These big meals in armored shells crawl up shoreline vegetation and hatch.  After hatching they linger on shoreline vegetation for up to 10 days while they mate and lay eggs on the water.  Usually the egg laying or ovipositing is done during the warmest part of the day.  A good hot sunny day really gets the action going.

    Both Salmon flies and golden stones provide an important key in the food chain along the Deschutes R.

Our recent weather has kept the action from getting really hot but it has also spread out the duration of the hatch with soggy bugs in shoreside vegetation waiting for the heat of the day.  The hatch is spread from Maupin to Warm Springs and is waning lower in this section.  Already there are fewer bugs than last week and expect the amount of black stones to dissapate soon with remaining bugs usually being the golden stones. I'd expect about one more week of dry fly action as the hatch sputters out.

      Favorite patterns on the Deschutes salmon fly hatch are Chubby Chernobyls, Chubby Norman, Norm           Woods Special and Stimulator patterns.

For other hatches going on now are a varied mix of morsels.   Caddis, green drakes, pmd's and some days blue winged olives along with yellow sallies are showing.

For more information on fishing the Deschutes river or to connect with an excellent guide contact us at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Big Bugs Taste Great! Deschutes River Salmon Flies

It's that time of year again or actually it's super early but things are getting started wether you are ready or not- the annual migration of the biggest bug of the Deschutes River is starting.  Big black stoneflies and goldens are crawling out and hatching while I write this on Oregon's most famous river.  This is a monumental hatch and bugs up to three inches are the fare.  This pulls some of the biggest cagey trout from the depths to dine on the surface while bug wiggling by like cheeseburgers on a conveyor belt are served.  Needless to say it's prime time!

This year's hatch is arriving early, with snow pack at miniscule levels and a warm spring is contributing.  Water temps have warmed up enough to trigger the feast and trout are starting to look upward.  This hatch often gets going with a lot of bugs a-flutter before the wild Deschutes Redband trout will key on them.  We are still some time away from that but don't wait until your traditional time to get out there.  Things may be done by then.  Warm weather can help accelerate the hatch just like cool rainy weather seems to slow it down.

Just late last week (May 1) there were salmon flies flying around Maupin and some reported up to Whitehorse.  None at Warmsprings yet but we can expect that with-in a week or so.

For now all eyes are on the Deschutes and the big bug smorgasborg about to happen!

For more fishing informations and to connect with our top guides visit: www.watertimeoutfittters.com

Deschutes River Salmon Fly Hatch Report- May 2014

Fly Fishing Deschutes River Redband Rainbow Trout

Salmon fly action is full swing on the Deschutes here at the May 20th marker.  Both golden stones and black stones from Maupin,OR to Warm Springs area farther north the big bugs are out in good numbers.  Our recent trips are starting to show waning numbers of the big bugs in the Maupin area.  Other Deschutes River hatches are making a showing at the same time and we are seeing trout feed on caddis, PMD's, PMD spinner fall, and PED's.

An adult stonefly next to the nymphal casing.  Stoneflies crawl out of the river on emergence.

Water levels are very nice for fishing this time of year and are relatively low.  Oregon's snow pack in this region is billed to be about normal. Water clarity is good and the weather has been fairly nice with some great days in the mid-80's.  We have not seen the super hot 90+ degree weather that really gets the egg laying action of the salmon flies in crazy mode.  Just a nice spattering of egg laying on the warmer days.  In addition the killer to the dry fly action - cool wet days have mostly missed this season so far.

Golden Stones in the grass along the Deschutes River

Fishing during the salmon fly hatch is best near structure.  We rig our rods with either 7-1/2 or 9'- 4X tapered leaders and use patterns like: Clarks Stone Fly, Norm Woods Special, Sofa Pillow etc... but our favorite is the Chubby Chernobyl.  This pattern moves and simulates the lifelike appearance of the natural fly very well. These big bugs are clumsy crashing fliers and offer an excellent protien pack for trout.  

Water Time Outfitter guides like Rob Crandall and Gil Muhleman have been working the waters of the Deschutes River for over 20 years.  We float the best waters of the canyon and know the river inside and out.  Our favorite way to cover the salmon fly hatch is with the multi-day float trip. This gets you away from the crowded waters of this popular hatch and into the best dry fly action of the river.  Serious whitewater on the Deschutes river keeps out the novice boaters and allows experienced oarsmen rested water where big trout thrive.  Come join us on a river adventure!  See more at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Getting ready for dinner on the river

Long time Water Time Outfitters client enjoys the evening on the river

Camp boss Marty Smith prepares breakfast in the glow of the canyon sun.

See the very best of the river canyon when you float with Water Time Outfitter guides

See more info at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com 

Salmon Flies Get Smashed on the Deschutes

It's that time of year for the annual salmon fly hatch on Central Oregon's Deschutes River.  Big black stones and tasty golden stones are hatching in big numbers and trout are noticing.  These are the biggest of stoneflies found on the Deschutes.  Prolific hatches in May bring the biggest fish to the surface.  Trout lock on these big bugs like a line backer chasing down a "Big Mac".  The surface take is often a smashing slash of water spray.

The fly patterns we use are big and that makes seeing the fly easy.  It is a fun time of year to fish for trout.  Favorite patterns are Norm Woods Special, Stimulators, Sofa Pillow and the now famous Chubby Chernobyl.

Fishing these big bugs under trees and around foliage is most productive as clumsy bugs often crash out of the overhang and into the water.  Once on the water they flutter and skitter anxiously trying to avoid the maw of the trout.

Check out this video fishing salmon fly dries from earlier in the week on the Deschutes River.

Want to see more on fly fishing Oregon's Deschutes River?  Visit our website:  www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Salmon Fly Workshop - Deschutes River

Water Time Outfitters offers the perfect package for fly anglers plying the Deschutes River salmon fly hatch.  Have you ever been there and experienced frustration- struggling for success while trout readily ate the natural insect?  Or, have you seen so many bugs on the water and yet not one rise?  We explore these problems and offer solutions in this one day class.  We'll meet at 9AM armed with coffee and donuts and go through a detailed discussionof the salmonfly hatch, how it works, and what patterns produce.  Then we'll spend time n the water revealing tricks of the trade for best success.  We provide a full lunch, an entomology session and and afternoon fishing session in this action packed day.

This class is taught by Water Time Outfitters guide- Gil Muhleman.

This special class offering is only May 18, prepayment is required to reserve your spot.  Fee is only $100.  Please email or call Rob Crandall to save your spot:  503-704-6449 crandalls3@ccwebster.net

See other fishing opportunities we provide at:  www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Deschutes River Report

Fishing has been good on the Deschutes.  This year seems to have some larger than average fish in the mix.  Floating Warm Springs to Trout Creek is still yeilding fish on the surface taking golden stonefly patterns.

Other hatches going at this time are: pmd's, caddis, midges, and occasional green drake. 

www.watertimeoutfitters.com

Deschutes Salmon Fly Report

May 26, 2012

Fishing on the Deschutes River has been excellent for the past week.  Weather fronts have presented different fishing situations but the variety of available insects and current hatches have kept the wild Deschutes River Redband trout with full bellies. 

The river rose a bit this week rising from around 4600 cfs to approximately 5200 cfs. 

Currently salmon flies and golden stones are available from Maupin to Warm Springs, a range of over 40 miles.  However, the farther downstream you go the fewer the number of adult salmon flies.  Golden stones are more predominant near Maupin and the numbers of those are starting to wane. 

Top patterns for this hatch have been:  Chubby Chernobyl, Norm Woods Special, Moorish fluttering stone, sofa pillow and stimulator patterns. 

This dandy rainbow what caught on a golden stone dry fly pattern cast under a tree with a bow and arrow cast by first time fly angler- Jay. 

Other hatches to be aware of now are the PMD (pale morning dun- mayfly) hatch which has been getting going around 10:30 and sputtering out around 3-4pm.  Some days this hatch can be very intense.  We recently had some rain during mid-day that really had the right combination of temperatures to bring off the hatch.  Fish were rising everywhere and especially liked an emerging PMD pattern. 

Caddis are showing as well and not to be ignored as the adult salmon fly wanes in the next few weeks this morsel will soon become the staple. 

See more info at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com  Water Time Outfitter guides have been fishing the Deschutes for over 20 years.

Deschutes Salmon Fly Report

May 19th- our annual Salmon Fly Workshop was yesterday and the big bugs were there in full force.  Our workshop was held in the Maupin area and our class had a great time.  The water flow was great and the weather a comfortable 72 degrees.  Salmon flies and golden stones were both present below and above Maupin on the Deschutes River.  Located just 2 hours from Oregon's biggest city, Portland, this is an amazing fishery.

Golden stones are now the more dominant insect below Maupin.  This indicates the hatch is almost half done in this section.

Look close, there are a lot of bugs(trout food) in the grass in this photo above.
On thursday Golden Stones and Salmon flies were getting much more abundant in the Trout Creek area farther up the Deschutes River Canyon.  The Giant Salmon Flies or Black Stones are most abundant now in this section.  Golden stones are present as well but in smaller numbers.

See more hatch info at: http://watertimeoutfitter.blogspot.com/2012/05/deschutes-salmon-fly-report_27.html

For more information on fishing the Deschutes river connect with a Water Time Outfitter guide at: www.watertimeoutfitters.com