The Salmonfly hatch on the Deschutes this year has been one of ups and downs. We have really only had a handful of days when things have lined up with warm days, and decent fishing conditions. I just wrapped up a Memorial Day trip from Trout Creek to Maupin and the weather was some of the worst I have ever experienced. Sideways rain, unbelievable wind gusts, whitecaps and spray from said wind.
However, on the rainy days, the PMDs have been popping at about 11am, along with a decent green drake hatch around 3pm. Neither hatch lasts for very long, but if you have your eyes peeled, you’ll be able to see fish sipping in the riffles and back eddies. So if you’re heading out there and the weather looks less than ideal, don’t be discouraged, you will probably just have more luck on mayflies than stones.
I would imagine that the fish will still be looking up for stones for a couple more weeks, but now is the time to break out the purple and royal chubbies. The fish have seen a ton of Clark’s, Norm Woods, Chubby Norms etc, so showing them something a little different may prove more effective. As always, fishing a dry dropper or euro nymphing will produce the most fish and they have been eating the Jig PMD, Hazel’s Blue Magic, Sens’ 20”er along with Pat’s Rubber Legs and Possie Buggers very well.
The weather still looks more conducive to mayflies the next couple weeks, so don’t forget your Purple Haze #16 and #18s, Tilt Wing PMD, Harrop’s CDC Green Drake, Film critic Green Drake, and Missing Link in both PMD and Green Drake colors and sizes. There is still plenty of really good fishing to be had, so get out there and have some fun!
JH