Good afternoon from Sisters, where Spring made another appearance today. I wish I was fishing, but Pine Needles in the morning, followed by an important meeting with a good friend and customer hoping to return to Patagonia next winter, some shop work and as soon as I am done writing this, off to Bend to pick up the boat from Sculpin Marine who added the cat walk and electric winch to my trailer.
I am figuring with the government cutbacks that docks are going to be even more scarce than the last few years, so the work I did to the trailer is going to be helpful day to day in using my favorite boat, even when there are no docks. A busy day. Hopefully tomorrow I can sneak over to the Met for an afternoon session…

Speaking of the Metolius River, a lot of happy faces for the most part over Spring Break. Our crew and our customers caught fish on a wide variety of techniques, including match the hatch dry fly fishing, nymph fishing (of course) and streamer fishing, both with euro jig streamers and swinging the big meat on an 8 weight.
Hatches have been strongest in this order: BWO #18, Cinygmula #16, Tan or Grey Caddis #14-16, October Caddis #8-10 and some smaller amber caddis I believe are Snow Sedges #12. Not all of these will result in a lot of surface feeding, but will be covered with emerging nymphs and pupa prior to, and during times of the hatch. The Mayfly hatches will/should offer the best chances of noses poking through the film to eat at the surface, but the caddis hatches are most likely to met with a pupa fished as a nymph and occasionally searching good dry fly water with an Elk Hair, Corn Fed or Stimulator.
Also, on the nymph side, Zebra Midges were especially good for folks this past week. Also grab some 2 Bit Hookers, Micro Mayflies, Eggs, Perdigons (especially Jig Napoleon), Green Drakes and Golden Stones.
Don’t forget the upper river from Allingham Bridge to the headwaters is closes until May 22.

Fall River saw a lot of snow melt making access way easier over the week. Fishing is good too.
An afternoon BWO #18 hatch is pretty strong, and add some March Browns #14 and Midges #22 to your dry fly box.
Eggs were especially good for the last several days. Never go to the Fall w/o a good egg pattern, and we like an Orange Tungsten Jig Egg the best.
Zebra Midges, 2 Bits, Perdigons, Soccer Mom, Mini Gulp and CDC Tungsten PT are flies I would fish today if I was going. That Mini Gulp and Soccer Mom have been hot for a long time on the fall, those fish respond well to the little streamer.
Spring Special Guide Trips are still going from now until 4/21. $350 for one or 2 people. Bring your own lunch. Flies and Rods are included.

Crooked River has gone from Bad to Worse. Holy Heckers the water is high. Obviously don’t go.

Lower Deschutes at Maupin is good, drive up the Harpham area or Locked Gate and hike form there, or drive down towards Mack’s Canyon and road fish some really good water. Look for the fish in riffles and runs, and this time of year to be fond of Black and Golden Stonefly Nymphs, Green Rock Worms, Hares Ear, Copper John, Soft Hackle PT, Perdigons, Berry’s PCP, Mini Gulp, Soccer Mom and add some Tan Prairie Dog Pupa as the spring caddis hatches are increasing in importance as days get warmer and longer.
March Brown #14 and BWO #18 are going to the be the 2 most important hatches you should see after noon and before evening, and usually the grey, rainy days don’t squash the mayflies form hatching like they might the caddis.

The McKenzie is still too high to float and fish for us, but it is dropping slowly. Maybe in the 2nd week of April we will see it again!

Haystack Reservoir is the best lake near here for sure. Boat launching is open. Balanced Leeches in 3 to 8 feet of water are best. A lot of my haystack folks are talking about running 2 leeches under the indicator, one with a hot orange bead on the point, and one with a chartreuse bead on the dropper tag.
Also, bring a good selection of Chironomids, especially Red and Black #12-16.

Chickahomony Reservoir is getting better too, and the water is a little turbid I hear, but the fish are eating. I made a recommendation last week with the Prince Nymph and stand by that for the upcoming week too. Balanced Leeches and Chromies and Olive Chironomids too. Bring a Hover line for stripping leeches and Carey Specials too.

Justesen Ranch last week was the best I have ever seen it. We had a nice group out there and just had a blast. Some of us (me) stuck to the Chironomid ALL DAY. I was using the Fulling Mill Howard Croston Drop Back Bung (a damn fancy strike indicator) and was mesmerized by it, so much so I never wanted to try anything else. I caught so many fish by lunch, I took a 40 minute break to eat and do my Duo Lingo Spanish lessons (will Jeff eventually move to Patagonia? hmmmmm), and then decided to rail a bunch more fish on the same set up.
Others fished water boatman, balanced leeches, or stripped leeches with a Camo Intermediate at different points throughout the day.
IF YOU WANT to join me next Sunday for our 2nd group trip I have 4 open spots to fill. $150 per person. We will be on Big Lake. Call Jeff or send an email to greendrakehatch@gmail.com and get in on the trip.

Spring Special Guide Trips are still going from now until 4/21. $350 for one or 2 people. Bring your own lunch. Flies and Rods are included.

Are you looking for a good inflatable lake boat? I have a nearly new Outcast Clearwater for $1400 with so many accessories. This is a great boat and a great price. It’s mine. Used twice at 3 Creeks, otherwise you know me and lakes and I am in one of the bigger boats and just don’t need this hanging in the rafters collecting dust. Someone needs this thing….Is it you?

It’s also well suited for a day trip on the Warm Springs stretch or many other places!

It was wonderful to see so many friends and great people in the shop over spring break. It was out 1st really consistent and busy week we’ve had since the holidays. I appreciate the support so much and you all mean the world to me.
Now, I am off to Sculpin Marine to see how the work turned out.

Until next time,
Jeff