EAST LAKE
Season: Due to high elevation snow pack usually Mid to Late-May until the end of October.
East Lake is the most consistent lake for fly fishing in our region. With good callibaetis mayfly hatches starting in June and lasting into July, then the 2nd brood of these elegant mayflies going strong from August to Mid-September provides us many days outstanding dry fly opportunities all summer long.
At East Lake we expect consistent fishing on leeches and chironomids under an indicator, and really good fishing with terrestrials along the shorelines. Damsel fly hatches have been increasingly strong the last several seasons and the trout are responding to this with some fun feeding frenzies on the adults many warm and windy afternoons.
East Lake has been running low for several seasons and launching our bigger boats has been difficult. In 2023 all of our guide days were done in our motorized drift boats instead of our larger lake boats. East Lake water levels have cycled from high to low over many decades, for as long as geologists have been taking measurements. It’s down 5 feet over the last 6 years, and 16 feet lower than it’s historic high.
Trip cost is $550 for 1 or 2 anglers.
THREE CREEKS LAKE
Season:
Due to high elevation snow pack usually we see access in Mid June and going until late October.
Three Creeks Lake is situated at nearly 6500 feet and is the closest lake to our shop at just 16 miles up Forest Road 16. Three Creeks is the quintessential high mountain lake with plenty of trout and very good hatches, including some of Oregon’s best callibaetis hatches. Summer evenings often include great fishing on small black caddis emergers and adults. Balanced Leeches and Chironomids, Damsels and Terrestrial fishing are all great on this lake.
No motors are allowed on Three Creeks Lake.
Trip cost is $550 for a full day and $475 for a half day for 1 to 2 people. Due to the location this is the only lake we offer a half day trip.
CRANE PRAIRIE RESERVOIR
Season: April 22–October 31
.
Crane Prairie is one of the most popular trout reservoirs in Oregon and for good reason. The rainbow trout in this lake are legendary and the fishing is consistent on chironomids and balanced leeches all season.
Crane Prairie is known for strong damsel hatches, and during the summer provides excellent opportunities for fishing nymphs and adults. Callibaetis hatches, while not as good as the “good old days” are getting better with new water management policies, especially in June and provides good days on the water with emergers and dries.
Crane is divided into 5 distinct fly fishing areas including the Deschutes Channel, Cultus Channel, Quinn Channel, Rock Creek Channel and some of the interesting rocky shorelines headed down the east side near the dam.
Watch water temperatures in mid-Summer as they can get too warm for safe catch and release angling for a few weeks, and when that happens we usually go to higher elevation lakes or really focus on the colder channels.
Crane Prairie is 4000 acres making it one of the largest lakes we fish. A good boat is a necessity for exploring much of this lake.
Trip cost $550 for 1 or 2 anglers.
LAVA LAKE
Season: April 22–October 31,
can run late due to snow.
One of the better Trout Lakes on the Cascade Lakes Hwy, Lava offer excellent Rainbow Trout fishing after ice out and into early Summer. Fall fishing is also very good. Lava Lake really bounced back in 2023 and we see a good future there as long as water levels stay good.
Trip cost is $550 for 1 or 2 anglers.
LITTLE LAVA LAKE
Season: April 22–October 31,
can run late due to snow.
Little Lava is a great lake for fly fishing and is protected from the weather a bit more than the big lakes. So, if it’s blowing too hard on the big lakes, Little Lava is a great back up. The Rainbows here are hard fighters and the fishing is often good.
Trip cost is $550 for 1 or 2 anglers.
HOSMER LAKE
Season: Open all year,
Usually opens in Mid May to early November
This is one of the most special and beautiful lakes in Central Oregon and a favorite of all of the FFP guide team. Hosmer Lake has abundant Rainbow, Cutthroat and Brook Trout populations and this unique fishery is a special place to add to your list. Plenty of good dry fly fishing with Callibaetis, Damsels and Caddis hatches, plus Terrestrials bringing fish to the surface. Due to the very shallow nature of the upper and lower lake and channels, most of the nymph fishing is done using shorter leaders with a strike indicator. Slow sinking Hover lines and Intermediate lines are great at times.
Trip cost is $550 for 1 or 2 anglers.
PAULINA LAKE
Season: Due to high elevation snow pack usually Mid to Late May until early November.
Paulina Lake has become an absolute staple for us as a guide destination. This high elevation lake with a cold, deep water reserve is fishable all summer.
Paulina is one of the best lakes in our region for dry fly terrestrial fishing using ants, beetles and grasshoppers throughout the season.
Balanced leeches, chironomids and scuds are important food sources and we catch fish with these flies every day.
Paulina Lake does not see nearly as good of callibaetis hatches as East does, but when it happens in Mid July to Mid August you’ll get productive dry fly action most mornings over the shallow weed beds.
Early season after ice out, and the fall are when we find the larger fish, but all summer long the fishing is good on Paulina Lake.
Trip cost are $550 for 1 or 2 anglers.
GUIDED TRIP PRICES
Full day lake trips: $550/ea for 1-2 anglers.
Half day lake trips only offered at Three Creeks Lake: $475 for 1-2 anglers.
Fishing Report
Curious about what is going on lakes we fish? Head on over to the
Cascade Lakes Fishing Report.
Our Waters
Other rivers we guide on:
The Deschutes River
The Crooked River
The NF Santiam River
The MacKenzie River
Fall River
Rivers we don’t guide (because no one does!) but are the local experts on:
The Metolius River
….
