The Lower Deschutes water levels over the last few days are slightly on the rise at the Warm Springs Gauge, and that tells me it will really be rolling and coming up in the open fishing areas near Maupin.
I’m sure it is still fishable, as this is not a flooding event so far as I can predict, but we are seeing rain over snow last night and today in the basin and all the little drainages are flowing now.
Just watch the flows if you plan to go. Is it stable? Great. Go. Is it showing signs of higher and higher flows. Pick another river or choose another day next week.
Stonefly Nymphs, Hares Ears, PT Soft Hackle Jigs, Green Rock Worms, Tan Prairie Dog Pupa, Perdigons and Euro Streamers.
The next hatch to look forwards to will be March Browns but we are likely 3 to 4 weeks away from any meaningful hatch at this time. A trickle of BWO with occasional importance, a few midges and perhaps a sighting of Skawla’s could create moments of dry fly fishing, but I would not expect much for a another few weeks on the Lower D.
Don’t forget the Warm Springs, Mecca, Dry Creek, Trout Creek and South Jct areas remain closed until 4/22/24.