East Lake Fish Report for 7-12-2025
Windy Days on the East!
East Lake - La Pine, OR (Deschutes County)

by The Fly Fishers Place
7-12-2025
Website
I have decided that East Lake is the Candle Stick Park of Lakes. Holy shit that wind swirls in weird and mysterious ways! Grand Slams were robbed, or helped by the winds.
But despite these windy days, I love East Lake so much.
I have been fishing East since I was 4 years old, and finally began fly fishing there in the 80’s with Chester when we just had round float tubes to get around in. I began guiding there about 20 years ago, and eventually got my own permit to guide there in 2010. It is as good today as ever, and I am delighted to see the water levels up a bit in 2025, and the trout and kokanee are looking really healthy this year.
The last 8 or 9 trips most of our fish were on a Callibaetis nymph fished with a Drop Back Bung or Oros Indicator, depending on wind. The sensitivity of the Drop Back Bung indicator is undeniable, but in heavy chop they are not worth using because you can’t see them well enough. In calmer conditions, I would say you will catch 30 to 40% more fish because of the sensitivity of the indicator. We’ve had good Hopper days, although Wednesday was better in the stronger winds (my client Lyle got a unicorn of a trout, a 17” Brook Trout on a Hopper in the strong wave action in 12 to 19 mph gusts!) . Twice this week in deeper water shoals we have kicked butt on a red blood worm (Duct Tape) set about 17’ under the bobber. Sam, my client on Sunday really killed it on this rig. A fly called a Hanging with my Chromies, and Ice Cream Cones and Summer Duck’s are also good now. Fish them deep too. 12 to 18 feet is where the action is on this.
Callibaetis Dry Fly action is most consistent towards dusk, but anytime from 9 am to 2 PM it is possible to get the hatch going well enough to create good dry fly opportunities. Dry Fly means emergers, cripples and duns, and also spinners. Spinners are most likely to be the menu in the morning.
Beetles and Damsel Adults are 2 other dry flies you want to be using up there now! I like a #14 Blue Chubby and a regular extended body Damsel to show the fish. One thing that is cool is tie the chubby on the end of the 9’ 4x leader and from the bend of the hook go 30” of 5x to the extended body. Show that the 2 different profiles to match the same hatch. I have a feeling which fly you’ll get the majority of the fish on, but write me back and tell me your experience. I love hearing from you!
More Reports
The Fly Fishers Place Reports
for Saturday, July 12th
Metolius River: Worth the Wait!
Crooked River: The Crooked River continues to impress
Fall River: The Fall River is fishing great
McKenzie River: The fishing is quite good
Deschutes River- Lower: The Lower Deschutes evening fishing is good
Deschutes River: The Middle Deschutes is an excellent morning to noon spot
Deschutes River- Upper: Upper Deschutes Updates
The Fly Fishers Place Reports
for Friday, July 4th
Metolius River: Drakes are still necessary
McKenzie River: The McKenzie River trips are great
Deschutes River- Lower: The Lower Deschutes is fishing well
Deschutes River: The Middle Deschutes is a lot of fun
Deschutes River- Upper: Slow to Good Fishing on the Upper Deschutes
Crooked River: The Crooked River is fishing quite well
Fall River: The Fall River is fishing great
Three Creek Lake: Three Creek is Hit or Miss
East Lake: Some good days at East Lake
Paulina Lake: Paulina Lake is good
Hosmer Lake: Hosmer Lake is good fun
Little Lava Lake: Little Lava Lake is good fishing
Lava Lake: Lava Lake is fishing ok
Crane Prairie Reservoir: Crane Prairie is slow fishing

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