Gorge Fly Shop Blog: Columbia Gorge Fishing Report

Trout:

I know everyone likes to see lots of changes on fishing reports, but the honest truth is that fishing has really not changed much on the Deschutes, the whole river is still fishing very well. Caddis have been the most productive for most anglers and will continue to be for the several weeks or so. I would fish Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis and Outrigger Caddis in tan and grey, sizes #16. For pupa I would use #16 tan or grey; Deep Six Pupa, Sparkle Pupa, Bead Head Sparkle Pupa and Prime Time Caddis Pupa. Be ready to stay out late, the fishing the last 45 minutes or so of the day has been very good as Caddis come back to the water to lay their eggs. In addition to dry’s swinging soft hackles can be very productive.

When ever we get the higher humidity days be ready for a good mayfly hatch like pale morning and pale evening duns. Don’t forget about 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.

Small Mountain Streams:

Over the last few weeks the smaller mountain streams have started fishing well. Places like Trout Lake Creek, Lewis River above Swift Reservoir, East Fork of the Hood, White River to name a few. Fish in these locations are small, 6” to 8” average, but they are always looking up. These waters offer great dry fly fishing. Take your light rod and have a blast.

Lakes:

Laurance Lake has been fishing well after being closed last year, well worth the trip. Lost lake is it’s usual consistent self. This is the best time to hit the small higher mountain lakes before the heat slows them down. 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.

The question of the day is anglers asking the status of Lost Lake’s Hex hatch. No bugs yet reported, but I don’t expect to see the peak of the hatch until about the end of July. It has been a comfortable average to cool summer here which generally means the hatch is the fourth week of July or so. We may see a few early bugs in the next week, but doubt if it will be very intense. I have people at the lake that will let me know when they see the first few.

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 to. 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:

The Dalles counts have hit the magic number of 200 a day, which generally means that there are good fishable numbers in the lower part of the Deschutes River. You don’t need many of these early Summer Steelhead to have good fishing, they are not stressed out and tend to be good biters. I would stay in the lower 10 to 15 miles of the river. Be ready these early fish are HOT!!!

Fishing on the Klickitat had been good for the early season Summers, but the river colored up to the point many are not comfortable fishing it. I checked it this morning and the it is grey/tan and about 15 inches of visibility. It has been cooler this summer, so must have been a slide up on the glacier. I personally would fish it, but that is me I tend to really like colored water. Growing up fishing the Hood and Klickitat I have caught many fish in these conditions. Hopefully the river will clear up in the next few days.
Klickitat Super Slammer Kit

Smallmouth:

Smallmouth in the Columbia has still been good. You will find many of the bigger fish starting to hold more in the deep drop offs and rock walls. These conditions do make it more important to use a boat of some type. 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.

John Day is a great river the fish this time of year for smallmouth. Take a light rod and a pile of small poppers, hang on! No need to fish any sinking flies on the JD, non-stop popper action out there. It is best to float it, but there is good walking access at Cottonwood Canyon State Park.

Trav