This Tuesday and Wednesday were beautiful days on the river. Sunshine, clear water, and great air temperatures. But 81 degrees has it’s downside as well and it wasn’t until Wednesday afternoon that I could get a water temp above 50 degrees. A mild run off plagued the river early in the week. Fishing was medium at best.
Blizzard caddis hatches were present but windy conditions made feeding fish hard to find. Late in the day fish did get on the caddis and we had decent dry fly fishing after 3.30 pm. March Browns are still hatching and fish would feed on the well presented March Brown Sparkle Dun. With a bit of run off, a ton of caddis, and a rising river fishing was not what it could have been. But the Mckenzie is turning a corner it always does this time of year. Big fish are recovering from their spring spawn, and the big bugs Green McKenzie Caddis, Salmon Flies and Golden Stones are just coming around. The water is dropping currently and melt should be reduced during the coming days, warming water temps, and cloudy skies will improve fishing on the McKenzie.
Other opening day thoughts:
Lower Deschutes is in good shape and nymphing with big stone fly imitations is always productive this time of year. Look for March Browns and Blue Winged Olives to also be productive this time of year on the Lower Deschutes.
-CD
