Hello from the southern end of Ambergris Caye Belize. I’m on week 2 here with my groups, and we are having fun. Last week the group got a lot of bonefish, 12 permit and one tarpon.

Back in Oregon I know it is like Christmas Eve for many of you! Who’s got the boat loaded for an early start on one of the waters opening up on Tuesday 4/22?

The Lower Deschutes from Warm Springs down opens, so don’t forget to purchase a tribal pass to access Dry Creek to Trout Creek. Crane Prairie and Wickiup open too! More details below.

So there are many things to talk about in this post.

I’m hearing good reports from the Metolius River and that PMD’s are mixing in the hatch cycle a little bit. As we hit May expect full fledged hatches of these perfect little yellow mayflies! But don’t be without them now, especially emergers. Blue Winged Olives #18-20 are the other major mayfly to hatch now. Tuck an 8 or 10 green drake sparkle dun and film critic in your box and use it as a searching dry after 3. There are good caddis hatches but it seems to be the trout are more interested in the pupa than a dry fly. Some consistent nymph action is happening every day. Perdigons are the best, along with my new caddis pupa and a fat ass caddis. Stone nymphs, drake nymphs, eggs and 2 bit hookers are great. And there have been some good bull trout days, getting out early is a good idea with your streamers. don’t forget the upper Metolius remains closed until May 22.

The Crooked is at 1200 cfs and the reservoir is at capacity. Not fishable yet!2025 is a runoff year for the ages! It’s been a bummer to have that out of the rotation for so many months.

The Fall River is great! Expect some fresh fish to be stocked too, and plenty of holdovers along with a few wild fish.PMD hatches and BWO’s are your 2 to look forward to for an afternoon session. Midges and some small 16 Olive Caddis and the last of the March Browns are likely to be found this week and into next week too. Small streamers like a George Daniels Mini Gulp are doing really well. Add some Soccer Moms to your collection too. Eggs, Perdigons, Zebra midges and 2 Bit Hookers are perfect choices for rounding out your selection this week.

We are pumped for the opening day of the Warm Springs to Trout Creek section of the Lower Deschutes tomorrow. Water levels are dropping and are 5500 cfs, which is pretty normal for the time of year. Fish will be close to the banks after the high water, and also because the stonefly nymphs are migrating there for the soon to happen hatch! Perdigons, CDC Soft Hackle PT, Caddis Pupa and Girdle Bugs will be the most likely candidates for opening day. Keep an eye out for a March Brown hatch, and for PMD’s perhaps.

The Middle Deschutes is low and very fishy now. From Bend to Billy Chinook is all good access and fishing. March Browns are not done, PMD and Pale Evening Duns are getting their starts and on warmer evenings caddis are getting ready.

The McKenzie River has dropped nicely in to shape and we are back to guide days there!

Crane Prairie opens at dawn 4/22. Access from South Century Drive to the resort is open but parts of the road are single lane due to snow. The ramp is clear, yet some snow remains in the parking lot. Road 40 is not passable. Access to Rock Creek and Quinn River are blocked by snow. Chironomids and Leeches under an indicator ought to be the best this week.

Access to Wickiup is great and the reservoir is 88% full and the best we’ve had in a long time. It will be interesting to see how the fishing season starts out…

South Twin Lake is a go! ODFW is stocking it now too. Fishing has already been pretty good from some reports I’ve heard. A few people have mentioned stripping damsels on intermediate lines.

Justesen Ranch Lakes are hot! Callibaetis hatches are revving up. Chironomids, leeches and damselflies are all good too.

I’ll be home for the weekend and hope to see you soon.

Writing these reports on my iPhone compared to my MacBook is awful!

The next report will be better!

Have a great week of fishing.

Jeff (who is very very tan)