Salmon fly hatch

This is what we mean by a Salmon fly hatch....on the Deschutes...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...eDeschutes.jpg

Great pic, Duck. Could be from the South Fork or the Henry's Fork as well as the Deschutes.

Ain't it awful when you just can't get clear of those things ??!!

John

One insignificant fact about those Stoneflies, is when you poke a hook in one, the body fluid will dry your skin. I have also read that the Trout in the Deschutes don't immediately feed on Adult Salmonflies, maybe because they are not something they see very often?
Doug

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DShock

...I have also read that the Trout in the Deschutes don't immediately feed on Adult Salmonflies, maybe because they are not something they see very often?
Doug

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Doug -

That is pretty much true on the South Fork and the Henry's Fork also.

First, the salmonfly hatch only lasts for a few weeks on most river systems, and it is a moving feast, working its way from the warmer water to the cooler water sections of river, typically upstream, sometimes miles a day. The big thing around here while the hatch is going on is being able to determine just where on the river the action, not necessarily the emergence or airborne adults, will be on a given day.

Also, I think the trout get so keyed in on the big nymphs migrating to the shore that they don't even notice when the adults first start hitting the water. And a lot of them are literally "full up" from feasting on the nymphs early in the "hatch." Once they do start looking up, the action can get pretty intense.

Another thing that happens, or seems to anyway, is that the trout get "full up" on the adults and stop eating for a short period of time until they work up an appetite again. So even though there is a very strong emergence and there has been good action on a section of the river, the catching might be really off for a day or two right in the middle of it. On the other hand, after the adults have come and gone, the trout will still take salmonfly dries for a while.

There is one bigger hatch here ( on the South Fork, particularly ) than the salmonfly hatch - the drift boat hatch. Both those hatches are actually quite shortlived on any particular stretch of the river, although the drift boat hatch does keep going strong for the other great stonefly hatches and other hatch activity over the summer months.

For a wade fisherman, the salmonfly hatch on the South Fork means very little - the hatch happens during high irrigation water flows that limit the amount of water a wade fisherman can safely fish. The Henry's Fork is a different matter. Lots of wadeable water on the Henry's Fork and lots of trout willing to go after the big bugs.

John

The Deschutes River: May- June

The Central Oregon weather moderates by May and can start to get hot in June. Clear skies are the rule. Water temperatures climb into the low fifties and the level begins to stabilize at around 3,600 cfs. The blue dun Beatis species trickle off through May and are slowly replaced by blue wing olive species through June. Rhithrogena hatches occur sporadically during both months and Ephemerella May Flies start to appear in various parts of the river. Late May and early June herald the Giant Salmon Fly and Golden Stone hatches.

This is also the period of peak Redside spawning. The rising water temperatures, huge hatches, and hungry Redsides returning from the redds spark voracious feeding activity. Because of this, angling traffic is also highest on some parts of the river and the angler must be in a frame of mind to put up with some competition.

Every trout angler should witness the Salmon Fly hatch on the Deschutes. Giant two inch long insects cluster in the alders and stream side grasses. During the peak of emergence, the angler can study the metamorphosis of these huge insects in great detail. The often wily Redsides take up stations under the trees and along the banks to feast on the bounty of the river. The angler can encounter large trout feeding at close range. Short but precise casts in heavy cover are often the rule, but trout can also go on feeding binges in mid-river or at the breaking heads of riffles. In all situations drag has to be eliminated and controlled. A slight miss cue can instantly make even the most predictable feeder stop rising. The best casters always win. A fast loading, moderately fast action six weight rod is a real asset. Short, stout leaders are best for turning over the wind resistant flies. Several patterns are used to match the mood changes of both the fish and the insects.

The visiting angler should plan day trips in the Warm Springs to Trout Creek section during this period and stay in a prearranged motel as the acquisition of camp sights is very competitive. Four day trips from Trout Creek to the upper end of the road access above Maupin is also an option that should be considered. A three day trip from Mack' Canyon to the Mouth can offer prolific caddis and may fly hatches and less sophisticated trout. Traffic in this lower canyon at this time of year is nearly non- existent.

Fly List

# 4, 6 BROWN STONE FLY NYMPH
#16 PHEASANT TAIL NYMPH
#10, #12, #14, #16 GOLD RIB HARE'S EAR NYMPH
#14, #16, #18 DARK BROWN HARES EAR
#14, #16, #18 OLIVE HARES EAR
#14, #16, #18 BLACK HARES EAR
# 4, # 6 OLIVE WOOLY BUGGER
#14, #16 YELLOW/BROWN CADDIS SPARKLE PUPA
#14 GINGER CADDIS SPARKLE PUPA
#16, #18 GREEN CADDIS SPARKLE PUPA
#14 BLUE WING OLIVE PARACHUTE
#14, #16 CAHIL PARACHUTE
#14, #16 BLACK FLOATING MIDGE PUPA
#14 BROWN ELK CADDIS
#14, #16, #18 OLIVE ELK CADDIS
#14 GREEN TIED DOWN CADDIS
#18 HAIR WING DUN BEATIS
#20 C.D.C. BLUE WING OLIVE BEATIS
Mid May - End of June
#4 BULLET HEAD SALMON FLY
#4 BULLET HEAD GOLDEN STONE
#4, #6 IMPROVED SOFA PILLOW

SOURCE: flyfishusa.com

Doug