Deschutes River Salmon Fly Hatch Fishing Report 2024

Deschutes Salmon Fly Hatch Fishing Report 2024 brought to you by the guides at Water Time Outfitters.

It was a productive and busy season on the Deschutes for us with this year’s salmon fly hatch. We started in the beginning of May for the great migration of stoneflies and had some excellent nymph fishing. (Check out one of our favorite early season nymphs). As the big bugs hatched out we had some decent dry fly action but the hatch this year seemed to be lack luster compared to previous years.

Cooler weather combined with what seemed like fewer big bugs this season and lack of “hot” weather kept the bugs hanging in the grass and streamside foliage. There were few days where the surface action was “crazy”. This season you had to make it happen by searching for responsive fish and working the edges and trees.

PMD’s hatched regularly through the month of May and early June. Size 16 pale morning dun mayflies were common most days in the 10am-2/3pm timeframe. We did very well with PMD emerger droppers off of patterns like a Chubby Chernobyl.

Caddis were hatching as well. Good numbers of caddis really popped when we finally did get some hotter weather last week. Size 16 tan caddis and green rock worms worked.

So far water levels have held in a decent range and water temps are around 55 degrees in Madras.

We expect some lingering salmon fly dry fly action up near Warm Springs this week. Caddis will take center stage as the big bugs die off.

Deschutes Salmon Fly Hatch Fishing Report – Fishing Strategies

We fish a variety of strategies for fishing the salmon fly hatch.  A single dry fly and also a dry fly/dropper rig.

First, we like a dry fly rigging to fish tight to cover, under trees and next to banks; anywhere a salmon fly might fall out of streamside foliage and into the water.  Second, a dry fly/dropper rigging is a second favorite.  This rigging is great when fishing more open water where you are not likely to get the dropper snagged on streamside foliage.  We fish this in riffles and flats where you’ll as likely get a surface eat as well as have the dropper taken.  The dry fly simply acts as an indicator so when it dips under- set the hook!

Movement can make the difference.  Parts of the hatch fish are keyed to salmon flies and golden stones that are moving.  They will smash a fluttering/moving stonefly right next to a motionless dead drifted fly.  Try moving your fly to get more grabs and more aggressive takes.  This is super fun and the results often speak for themselves.

Deschutes Salmon Fly Hatch Fishing Report- What Flies?

Our favorite flies for the salmon fly hatch vary with the conditions and the stage of the hatch.  Early on in the hatch bugs are often very active when they fall in the water.  Their wings are flapping and moving frantically to get back to the riverside foliage they fell from.  This is when we like the Chubby Chernobyl.

A wide variety of chubby patterns work well.  This year the Chubby Norman was a favorite.  These foam back patterns are also best for a dry/dropper combo as they are very buoyant.

Later in the hatch you’ll see bugs that are laying still in the water and simply drifting without motion.  These are later in the hatch bugs that are often nearly dead or exhausted from egg laying.  For this stage of the hatch I like the Clark Stone pattern which sits very low in the water and has an excellent profile.  Another pattern that we really like is Josh Linn’s MFFR Pattern.  This fly is deadly in many stages of the hatch.

If you’d like to get out to the Deschutes for trout or steelhead we have a few spots still open for this summer and fall. Email me today to save your spot!

Our salmon fly season is usually all booked up well in advance but if you would like to fish the salmon fly hatch with us please reach out!  We have a waiting list and there are often opportunities where there is room to join us at some point.  See more about our trips here:  Deschutes River Trout Trips

Wishing you all the very best on the water!  See the photo gallery below…

Water Time Outfitters is an Oregon based guide service offering guided fly fishing trips on Oregon’s finest waters.  We aim to surpass your expectations with expert, fun-loving guides and exceptional hospitality so our guests can focus on their love of fishing, maximize their success and take home memories that last a lifetime.