Trout fishing opened on April 22nd for the Lower Deschutes and we were blessed with beautiful weather for the first few days of the season. The fishing was hot under indicators and on tight line nymphing techniques but there was no shortage of bugs on the water during the afternoon warmth. The water was a touch of color but not to a degree that would deter any fish from eating your fly.
Many of the fish looked healthy, clean, and recovered from their spawning efforts but some, like the one pictured below, looked like they were still in the midst of spawning. That being said tread carefully out there and watch for any actively spawning fish.
Stoneflies, euro nymphs with bright beads, caddis pupa, small streamers, and baetis nymphs were all on the menu. As the seasons change and summer starts to show the water temps will rise and those mega stoneflies the trout love so dearly will become even more active over the next few weeks and stonefly nymphs will become a number one fly until they start feeding on the adults. There was a mixed bag of mayflies out on the water, March Browns and a few BWOs. Medium to small caddis fluttered around as well but nothing was in huge hatch mode. The fish are keyed in on the underwater stages still but as the bugs begin to become more prolific start searching for subtle noses under bushes and in eddies.
The anglers were out in force as well as everyone gets excited for the first few days of fishing the our premier trout stream but there was still plenty of room on the river. Remain courteous and give anglers space or wait for them to move on before fishing right next to them.
Book a trip on the Lower Deschutes today to access some amazing water during a prime part of the year with limited pressure and hungry fish.
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