fly fishing near Sunriver?

[MacFish]

I'm going to Sunriver for a few days next week and was looking for some insight on where the best fishing might be. Anybody fished the area recently? Thanks

[Siwash]

My 2 favorites in that general area are Fall R and the upper Deschutes between Crane Prairie and Lava Lakes.

Fall R has lots of fish and easy access at or near the hatchery, but of course lots of pressure also. Further upstream, there are fewer, bigger fish and less pressure, but it can be tough because the water is super clear and the fish are well-educated. I'm still not super smooth on the presentations, so I get a lot of near-rises where the fish will swim up and inspect my fly and then decide it's not up to snuff. Simply beautiful stream, though.

Way upper D is just a tiny creek in that stretch. The scale is so small that i'm usually just kinda flicking and flipping a short line rather than loading up and throwing a proper cast, but I really enjoy the intimate setting, nothing at all like down towards Bend and beyond. Gotten a few decent-sized brookies nymphing, but strictly little guys on dries. Still lots of fun, though. Bring your lightest "fairy wand" (4-wt or ideally even less).

Of course, the Big D runs right through Sunriver and i'm sure plenty of folks do well there without having to drive way upstream, but I personally find it too big, wide open and flat in that stretch. Better for just watching peacefully on the bank instead of fishing, as the evening fades with your feet propped up and a choice beverage in hand...

[DukAddict]

If you are going to fish the fall river, early in the day if the fish are rising use small parachute adams or very small caddis flys. Copper Johns for nymphs work well but you cannot use lead in that river so get tungsten based weights or nymphs with tungsten heads.


For the upper deschutes use parachute adams, blue winged olives, and small caddis flys. A ton of fish and alot of action, but most of the fish are not of much size.

Good Luck
Brett Neffendorf

[DukAddict]

Oh I almosgt forgot, use 6x and 5x leader and tippet on the fall river because of the very clear water and the spooky fish. Hope this helps.