Fly Fishing for Redsides

The Lower Deschutes is Central Oregon’s premier fly fishing river.  Native rainbow trout average 14 to 16 inches on the Deschutes, and rise eagerly to dry flies.  The Deschutes has several exciting hatches that will challenge your fly fishing skills, including the salmonfly hatch.  The Lower Deschutes has over thirteen public boat launches, giving anglers the opportunity to take day floats as well as extended camping float trips through the remote canyon sections.  The upper river includes day floats from Warm Springs to Trout Creek, and the 35 mile float from Trout Creek to Maupin.  This is the best trout water, period.

Deschutes River Hatch Calendar

The Deschutes River has a variety of hatches that provide year 'round dry fly fishing.  Blue Winged Olives, March Browns, PMD's, salmonflies, golden stones, and caddis are the framework of your Deschutes River fly box.  Click here for a detailed Deschutes Hatch Calendar

Deschutes Trout Flies

Flies for trout fishing the Lower Deschutes... let's begin with March and April mayfly hatches.  You have BWO's, March Browns, and other "in between" sized mayflies.  Traditional patterns such as the Parachute Adams have worked for decades.  Modern flies such as the Purple Para Wulff in sizes 12 through 18 will cover most mayfly situations.  Another great pattern is the olive Comparadun in the same sizes.

The salmonfly and golden stone hatch happens in May and June.  Classic Deschutes patterns include the Clark's Stone, Norm Woods Special, and Kaufmann's Stimulator.  Other productive flies include the Chubby Chernobyl and Stimi Chew Toy.

The rest of the summer brings a myriad of Caddis Hatches.  Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, and EC-Caddis are top producing commercially available flies.  Olive and tan in sizes 14 and 16 will cover most summer days.  October Caddis begin to hatch mid September in the evenings.  Although trout aren't always easy to find feeding on these bugs, it will eventually pay off to carry a few size 10 Stimulators in your fall trout box.

Fly Rods & Equipment

Fly fishing the Lower Deschutes River for redsides requires no more than a four or five weight rod and an accurate fifteen foot cast.  Weight forward floating lines are all you need.  Monofilament leaders in the nine foot range, tapered to 3X, 4X, or 5X depending on the season, will cover all fishing situations on the Lower Deschutes.

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