(almost) June Fishing Report — The Fly Fishers Place (2024)

Good afternoon from Sisters, Oregon. We have a lot to talk about with the fishing, and also a likely warning of some rising rivers coming Sunday night and Monday and lasting for part of next week.
Then after the big rains we get our first week of hot weather and I suppose the first access to 3 Creek Lake and improving conditions throughout the region.

I’ll start as always on the Metolius where we have seen a good week of hatches, including improvements on the Green Drakes. Now seeing them more spread out from Canyon Creek to Candle Creek. Every afternoon 3 pm to 5 pm is the hatch period and nymphs before the hatch starting about noon with the natural movements of the nymphs pre-hatch. That’s fun.
PMD hatches often occur twice a day, with some from about 1 to 4 and again in the early evening. The early evening ones can be mixed with Blue Wing Olives in a size 20-22.
Tan Caddis seem to be the predominate caddis we are seeing in a size #16.
So far there are no golden stone adults, but the nymphs are fishing great and will be a top nymph pick for the month of June along with Olive, Purple and Brown Perdigons, 2 Bits, Micro Mayflies, Soft Hackle PT’s and Caddis Pupa.
There have been a fair number of little olive stones hatching and my friend Chester has been getting fish earlier in the afternoon on little olive stone dries.
I am a little concerned with the rain coming Sunday and Monday we could see Canyon Creek rise a lot and create some higher water in the Met….We will watch and report. I do not think the upper river will be effected.

The Crooked River is sitting in beautiful shape and the fishing is like the good ol’ days. Lot’s of Caddis, mostly black #16 and 18 this week, but tans #16 and olive #16 are wise to have on board.
PMD’s hatches have not gone wild quite yet, but the PMD Nymphs like a split case emerger and brown micro mayfly are working great. If you fish 2 nymphs do the PMD on the point a caddis pupa on the dropper tag.
Scuds, Zebra Midges and Perdigons are bombers.
I think there is some minor concern for high water next week and will depend on how much rain makes it past the Cascade Range to the Ochoccos. Reservoir level has a tiny bit of room and inflows are less than half of the out flow so we might skim by with just a quick hit of heavy rain.

The Lower Deschutes is fishing well this week on the Warm Springs to Trout Creek drift where the FFP guides are spending a lot of time. Salmonflies, Goldenstones, PMD’s #16 and Pale Evening Duns #12-14, Yellow Sallies, and a lot of Caddis #14-18 (Tan, Black and Olive).
Most of the major rains are getting sucked up by the Cascades, but I am slightly concerned about sh*take Creek just below the WS Bridge as it comes from the Mt Hood drainage area where the rains are likely going to be intense. I think threat level after monday is minimal, but we will watch on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and see how it looks.

The Middle Deschutes is in great shape and might rise a bit from Tumalo Creek after Sunday. Stonefly’s are about done from Lake Billy Chinook up to Bend, but PMD, PED, Caddis, Purple Haze, small Stimulators and Rusty Spinners will play on top, and Perdigons and Soft Hackle PT’s, Split Back PMD and Micro Mayflies and Tan Caddis Pupa will do the trick on the nymph side. I think risk from high water is minimal Sunday and Monday here.

The Upper Deschutes headwaters stretch is incredible, what a start to the year! Green Drakes were strong over this past week, PMD’s, Caddis, PED’s, Ants, Beetles and good nymph and streamer fishing. Mostly bridge 40 to Deschutes Bridge area, but Blue Hole is worth exploring. Threat level from rising water is none.
I have not heard any real reports from Wickiup down stream so far….

The Fall River is great. We did see some days with good dry fly fishing on PMD hatches. Keep an eye out on Caddis (olive #16-18) and Midges (#22-24), BWO (#20-22), Beetles (#12-16), Ants (#14-18) and then rock their world with some Micro-Jig Streamers and Jigs.
Fish seem to be in every part of the system, so pick your area from the headwater to the falls and a little below too. Threat level from rising water is none.

The McKenzie River was okay this past week. It is going to improve with warmer and hotter weather coming next week. Our guide team had some good trips last week, mostly on nymphs but did get fish up on Chubby’s, Parachute Adams and the 1st McKenzie Caddis hatches of the year.
Threat level for rising river levels is very high and I anticipate the McKenzie will be unfishable by Monday for at least several days. Bummer.

LAKES

Crane Prairie is fishing well with Quinn, Rock Creek, Cultus and Deschutes areas all producing fish.
Leeches, Chironomids, Damsel Nymphs, Callibaetis (especially nymphs but be ready for the hatch).

South and North Twin Lakes are fishing very well too. Lot’s of stocked trout and good action with Chironomids and Leeches, but you’ll want Damsel Nymphs and Callibaetis on all the lakes.

Paulina Lake is tops for fishing action now. Lots of fish on Balanced Leeches and either a Chironomid dropper or Red Jig PT, Callibaetis Cate or Black Double Down as a dropper.
Fish are hitting on ants and beetles working the shorelines too. Little Crater CG is locked up with a barricade with no access to the ramp (WTF?) and Paulina Lake CG is now open with access to the ramp but the docks are sitting high and dry in the Parking Lot (also WTF?!). I don’t know when the USFS will open facilities and put in the dock, but I hope you don’t have to go #2 before going on the boat because all the bathrooms are locked up.
The Forest Service is failing at proving services on time and throughout the season for us. It’s total BS.
$10 launch and park fee at the lodge for use of their dock. Should be able to rely on public facilities for the fees we pay though.

East lake had a short moment of glory for us yesterday near the Hot Springs with a Red Ribbed Chironomid. Other than that, catching was sporadic and it was a slow day. As I write this the guys I guided yesterday are in their own boat and said the bite was better today, and that included fish coming up to Beetles. Hot Springs is the only site open (NOT barricaded by the USFS) for launching at a public site. East Lake Resort offers a $5 launch fee and I used that yesterday and got my 18′ Hewes Craft in there no problem.
Overall, fishing has been good, but we did find it to be slower yesterday than average for the last 7 to 10 days.

Hosmer access is good and driving over Mt Bachelor or coming from the South on Century Drive are equally good. Parking is wide open. Some callibaetis were coming off after lunch, so we know that’ll improve quickly to full fledges daily hatches. Damsel nymphs, Chironomids (especially Red), Red PT, Olive or Black leeches are all good. My freind Tim got a huge Rainbow a few days ago on a pregnant scud!

No access yet to Three Creek Lake as the gate is still locked, but I do believe this is the last time I write that for the season. Will we fish it by next weekend? I think so…..

Lava Lake has been good. Callibaetis are coming on for the season and chironomids and leeches are good, especially on the west shore and near the ramp area. I have not heard any reports from Little Lava yet.

Haystack is still worth fishing! Chick is still worth fishing! Both might be on the short list with 80 and 90 degree weather by this time next week…..

I talked to Amanda Justesen this week and she said all of her Justesen Ranch lakes are fishing great. Call her to book (541)980-4084 and tell her Jeff sent you. The Damsel Dry action was red freaking hot for them last week with fish going nuts on skinny blue dry flies.

See you in the shop or on the water. Call us for updates (541)549-3474 if you have further questions.

Jeff

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