Without doubt the top story this week is the beginning of the Salmonfly Hatch on the Lower Deschutes. It is pretty full swing through our 3 day camp float below Trout Creek and down to Maupin. With warm weather persisting this week and a 90 degree day coming on Tuesday there is no doubt we will have big bugs flying all the way to the Warm Springs boat ramp. And Golden Stones, and Yellow Sally’s.
This is your time to get under the trees, side arm your loop to shoot under the branches and be shocked at the explosive rise that suddenly appears to your fly. Did you hook it? Or are you mumbling expletives to yourself now? Salmonfly madness is special, it is real and if you hit it at the right moment it is unforgettable.
But what does that mean?
On the Lower Deschutes we get a prolonged Salmonfly hatch (and Golden Stones too) lasting over 2 weeks, and in some cases around 3 weeks as it moves upriver through a zone. While the fishing is always interesting when the big stoneflies are around, it is not always red hot. I estimate about a third of the time offers very good (5 star bite) fishing, about a third is good, and then there is the beginning of the hatch when we see the bugs and want it to happen but the fish are not yet used to the hatch, and have yet to key on their new food source or we get to the end of the hatch and the fish could be full, or have seen an awful lot of pressure from you and me and all of our friends and they are no longer tricked by foam and yarn and rubber legs lashed to a big hook.
But this means there are a lot of good days to look forward to, and those good days are starting right now.
Other notes for the Lower Deschutes. It is crowded A/F and will be more crowded over the next 2 1/2 weeks. Kindness, manners and fishing etiquette are essential to survive the crowds of the big hatch.
Don’t overlook other hatches. PMD’s, Pale Evening Duns, Caddis can be overshadowed to our eyes when the #4-8 bugs are flying and crawling on the back of your neck. But trout don’t care about that. Pay attention to all the hatches and don’t forget the nymphs of the smaller hatches are so important to the trout and their daily caloric needs.