Gorge Fly Shop Blog: Columbia Gorge Fishing Report 6/8/2019

Trout:

Deschutes: Sam’s Guide Editon Deschutes report says it; Deschutes trout fishing has been very good! The stone fly hatch has been extended, but is about done now. In the upper river you will still be able to get fish on them for about another week. Still the same favorite flies, Norm Woods #6-8, Norm Woods Rubber Legs #6-8, Larimer’s Golden Stone #6 and don’t forget the Chubby’s Golden #6-10. The secret weapon can be the Chubby Purple #6-10. Nymphs; Pat’s Rubber Leg’s in Black, Brown, Olive #4-8, Tungsten Pat’s Rubberlegs Black/Brown #6-8, Trout Retriever in all three colors (Yellow Lab, Choc. Lab, Black Lab).

The rest of the river has been fishing really well to, you just won’t find the stone flies. Caddis have been the most productive for most anglers and will continue to be for the next month or two as the stones wind down. I would fish Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis and Outrigger Caddis in tan and olive, sizes #14 - #16. For pupa I would use #16 tan or olive; Deep Six Pupa, Sparkle Pupa, Bead Head Sparkle Pupa and Prime Time Caddis Pupa.

Also watch for the occasional pale morning dun hatch and midges. Small flies like midges are greatly over looked on the Deschutes and can be very productive.

In low light or cloudy days don’t forget streamers. That is my favorite way to fish the Deschutes. May not always produce big numbers, but it can be big fun! I like to fish my little 3 weight two hander with 10’ of T-8 sink tip along with the following flies. Sculpzillia # 8 (Olive, White or Natural), Kiwi Muddler, Precious Metal and Aqua Flies Char-mer Zonker.

Lakes:

Laurance Lake has been fishing well after being closed last year, well worth the trip. Lost lake is it’s usual consistent self. You can now get into most of our higher country lakes now. This is a great time of year to fish our local lakes, they fish really well right now. During the hot days the carpenter ants will hatch. These ants drive fish crazy.

Best results have been fishing an intermediate or slow sinking line with a variety of #8-10 leach patters in Black or Brown. Suspending a Balance Leach under an indicator with a floating line has been lethal too. Dry fly fishing has been good in the mid-morning or in the evening with Parachute Adams #14-16, Tilt Wing Callibaetis #14-16, Black Ants #8-12
Stillwater Trout Selection

Steelhead:

We are seeing a few early summer fish in the Klickitat, Hood, Sandy and Clack. Not much pressure on them this time of year, it can be worth a trip.
Klickitat Super Slammer Kit

Smallmouth:

Smallmouth in the Columbia has been really good! You will find lots of fish in the shallows and back waters of the Columbia. Best results are with a variety of streamers like; Sculpins, Crayfish, Baitfish, ect. Also try jigged flies like the Jaw Breaker under a indicator on a floating line, it can be really good.

Trav