Fly fishing on the Cascade Lakes near Bend, OR. continues to be fantastic. I have been guiding clients on several lakes that are producing excellent numbers, and some real trophy sized browns and rainbows. Still water nymphing below an Under-cator has been the hot ticket most of the time; however under the right conditions the highlight most days is sight casting to rising trout along the shorelines using a dry/dropper nymph rig. Hot fly patterns are dark and light Assassins in standard, and parallel hook styles, and dark Punk Perch in both styles. Size 14 & 16 work best for still water nymphing. The icing on the cake is that the trout are feeding in water depths of less than ten feet most of the time. Hook a two foot Cranebow in 3 feet of water and you will definitely see what your backing looks like! Super fun friends.

Water conditions are great in most locations except Wickiup Reservoir. Irrigation demands have lowered the water levels here below 30% capacity, and they will continue to fall making large boat launching not possible in the near future. I’m thinking we have a couple weeks to launch here at the very best. Wickiup is where we have been hitting the large browns. If you want to fish with me here next season, look at dates in May through mid-July.

Crane Prairie Reservoir is in prime condition, & is producing big numbers of medium sized rainbows with an ever increasing showing of the prized jumbo “Cranebows”.  As water temps heat up, the fish are beginning to migrate, & concentrate closer to the inlets that feed CPR. This fishery will be only getting better as the summer rolls into fall. I have dates open in September and October, and am really looking forward to fishing with you on this beautiful and fertile lake.

East Lake, & Paulina Lake are also fishing well. When air temps get too warm on the lower elevation fisheries, we head up the hill and focus on these volcanic alpine lakes. The callibaetis hatches get some big fish moving into short water along the shorelines to slurp up these stillwater mayflies. During the off hatch periods we hang midge, mayfly, & small baitfish imitations below an Under-Cator along the steep drop-offs. Both of these lakes are stunningly beautiful and can produce big numbers of rainbows and browns.

See you on the water, BE the fly! Tom Loe