We have started what feels like the NASCAR circuit of river season…laps down the Deschutes have begun. Quick report while we are back on the grid. This has to be the most exciting and anticipated time of the Deschutes calendar. Every year it happens, it is no mystery or secret, but it never gets old. The Salmon Fly and Golden Stone Fly hatch. It is awesome. It is the most watched, eagerly awaited for report and rumor following time of year around here. Things can ramp up quickly. As word and the hatch spreads eyes are on the calendar hoping days off or planned trips match reports and stars align so you can be there when big bugs are out, fish keyed in and lined up on your favorite banks and behind those magical juicy special trees that hold them every year. Big redsides waiting like pigs at a trough. So fun. Much more exciting reports and headlines that read like a “Star” magazine or other gossip rag. I can see why; big dries and big flies and early season fish is a little more catchy than “we are seeing more caddis and throwing little flies to sippers”. Is the fishing any better on this hatch than any other major one? well... maybe... kind of … depends how you look at it. Those are debates best left to discuss at your favorite watering hole. Bottom line is it is great time and hard to beat and is a special event that most rivers don’t see at the Deschutes’ consistency and proportion. We are lucky.

Salmon flies (throwing golden stones in there when we say that) are just starting to go. Cold weather blips will and did slow things down a bit. With that said spring weather flips on and off like a light switch and warmer weather is helping. More and more bugs showing up. Per usual hatch starts lower in the system and bug numbers and dry fly action will pick up there sooner. It takes time for the bugs to get on the water, trout recognize them again as a steady stream of big calories, move into to prime spots, which can be different than where and what they have been doing and the food sources they have been focused on for the past months.

Tactics right now… still a little of this and a little of that. It is time to watch and take little litmus test readings. The fish will let you know and keep observant. Fish lower and follow hatch up the river or if you are floating expect that maybe first couple days will tough on the dry and don’t get discourage early the trip the trip that they aren’t on the adults/dries yet and focus those energies for lower or float further down to maximize time management. Nymphing can be good. Dy and drop is a great rig- if the fish are eating the dry, they are telling you something. Smash and grab some favorite high rent district banks and trees. If it is a ghost town, shake it off and go back to what was working. Cover lots of ground to maybe find those isolated areas that fish are keyed in a little earlier than the whole river system. It is early in the hatch and not tons of bugs and we are a bit away from all the trout getting the memo.

Good things are happening. The river is on track to do its thing and fishing to really pick up and those super fun peak of salmon fly days we are waiting for are just about here… any day now.

Summer vacation planning and kids getting out of school are right around the corner. We have some slots for caddis mid-June and July. Summer float trips, camping and spending time with friends and family are special memorable times and the Deschutes canyon is an amazing place. Unplug from devices, fish, talk, and immerse yourself in being present and chase some trout.

Want a mix up? We head back to the Owyhee in August and September. Different mode of attack then the Deschutes. We see Tricos over there for early morning little bug, little dry action over pods of sipping browns. It’s fun and feels like real deal technical dry fly match the hatch type game. We also get to throw hoppers and streamers. The wading is much less sporty as well. Worth adding to the bucket list.

Well off to pack cooler and get gear ready. Have fun and hope you can get on the water. If you have any questions feel free to call, or email. For more updates follow us on Instagram. Get on out there, it is getting good.

Tight lines,

Cory Godell

Deschutes Anglers