The Middle Deschutes is down to low summer flows as the canals have drawn water from the river to the farms. It makes wading a breeze in many places and warms the water faster making an early salmonfly hatch very likely. I think once we get past the cold week and hit our next warm week they will start on the middle river. Right now the March Brown hatch is going, and starting before the hatch with a Hares Ear Soft Hackle in #14 is good and then a March Brown Comparadun, Olive Haze, Parachute or Sparkle Dun will do the trick. In the evenings look for increasing emergences of Pale Evening Duns! This is one of my favorite Deschutes River hatches and #12-14 Parachute (often I use a Purple Haze) is great, or a large yellow soft hackle. Caddis are out too and a Sparkle Pupa and Fat Ass Caddis will match the pupa emerging to the surface and an X Caddis is the #1 hands down favorite for the Middle D for the Dry in my book. The other thing I love about the Middle Deschutes is the fish eat attractors like a Renegade and Stimulator and that is fun.
There is excellent opportunity to Tight Line nymph now from Bend all the way to Lake Billy Chinook.