The Lower Deschutes is in the middle of the end of the summer hatches and the beginning of the fall cycles. This means the Pale Evening Duns #14 and PMD’s #16, are fading away until next season but will be around for a bit longer so don’t put that box of yellow mayflies away! And don’t forget to pack #14-18 Purple Haze and Purple Comparaduns. There are a number of caddis that are important now, and you’ll want pupa, emergers, adults and spent egg layers in the box to cover the #16 Tan, #18-20 Black or Dark Brown, #14 Grey and it is time to get the #8 October Caddis Pupa on the line as the next 6 or 7 weeks will be the prime time to fish that fly. Midges in all the stages are overlooked on the Deschutes, but are important. Round out the selection with Girdle Bugs, Rubber Leg Peacock Stones, Perdigons, and Walts Worms and get some!
Steelhead fishing is really good this season. A lot of fish coming to a swung fly on a dry line, and that will be the case until it gets much colder later in October and November, then we start pulling out the sink tips and leeches. Nymphing is also incredibly productive now and forever on the anadromous fish, and we just stocked up on Cheeseburgers with hot orange beads and you definitely want to use that Jig Peacock Girdle Bug with the 4mm tungsten bead under an indicator. Lightning Bug dropper is always a great bet, and we have a new Hot Pink Bead Purple Stonefly I think will will put steelhead in the net so take a few out and prove it for me!