Just a Month Away

Although we are not in the Crystal Ball business, we can say with confidence that big bugs (Golden Stones and Salmonflies) will be hatching along the entire length of the Deschutes in a month.

Giant Salmonfly photo Russ McIntosh

The hatch starts upstream of Lake Billy Chinook on the Middle Deschutes first. Look for the first big bugs to appear during the last week of April or first week of May. Don't be late to the party. This hatch is intense and fades quicker than the downriver portions of the Lower Deschutes. Fish in this section wise up quickly.

Golden Stone photo Russ McIntosh

After the appetizer on the Middle Deschutes, look for the first big bugs to hatch on the Lower Deschutes towards Mack's Canyon and the Columbia first followed quickly by the Maupin and Locked Gate area. Expect all of this to materialize by the end of the first week of May.

Fooled by the old standby Rogue Foam Stone

Soon thereafter, the hatch will race up to the Warm Springs area and begin there around the 10th to the 15th of May. Over the last few years, the hatch was strong until about the 5th of June(give or take a few days).

Later Gator

Now is the time to stock up on 3x, Clark's Stone's, Norm Woods, your favorite chubby flavor and some FlyAgra. Because once it's on, its ON!