The transition from summer to fall has brought some great fishing to the Lower Deschutes. Be aware of the change in regulations for the lower section of the river. This week the weather starts out warm and then gets cool and rainy later on. This may be the last week of 80-degree weather in the canyon until next year. The fish will likely actively feed on the last of the summer hatches to build up calories for a long winter. We’ve heard some reports of October caddis hatches. This hatch doesn’t have great opportunities for dry fly fishing; however, those big orange caddises can work great as a searching pattern or as an indicator in a dry-dropper rig. Expect the usual tan and olive size 14 - 18 caddis during the warmer days, the October caddis like cooler weather. Pale morning duns are around, size 16 - 20 if it’s sunny and warm, size 14 - 18 on the cooler cloudy days. Nymphing has been the most consistent way to find fish. PMD nymphs and caddis pupa are still doing well. October caddis pupa are especially productive. Stonefly nymphs can be really great in the fall time. Euro-style flies and the classic general mayfly patterns can be good fish producers as well. It was a hot summer on the Lower Deschutes this year and we hope that next summer isn’t so brutal. Thank you all for reading the summer fishing reports, we’ve got lots of great fishing to go until winter, so stay tuned for the latest information. 

Recommended Dries: Hackle Stacker PMD #14-18, Parachute PMD #14-18, Black or Tan Elk Hair Caddis #12-20, X-Caddis #12-20

Recommended Nymphs: Jimmy Legs #8 Black or Brown, Deep October Caddis Pupa #10-12, Jigged Hares Ear #14-16, Jigged Pheasant Tail #14-16, Psycho Prince #14-16, Duracell Jig #14-18,  Copper John #14-18, Split Back PMD #18, Olive or Tan Sparkle Pupa #16-18, Nitro Caddis Pupa #16-18