Mecca Report 6/14

Riverkeeper · 06-14-2003, 10:38 AM

Fished from midmorning until dark yesterday. The fish were pretty active and interested throughout the day, despite the full moon. Between two of us, we hooked up with about 25 trout throughout the day. There were rising fish in the evening, but few could be tempted with salmonflys or golden stones (there were very few naturals left). A lot of fish seemed to be rising at small midges, or some subsurface insect activty. We picked up a few on the surface sort of incidentally, but they largely ignored samonflys, caddis, PMDs, and everything else we tossed out there.

garyk · 06-16-2003, 10:10 PM

Thanks for the report.

Over the years, just at this time at the tail end of the stonefly hatch, we've repeatedly encountered that frustrating midge rise (or whatever it is) that you described.

We've had fish boiling almost at our feet and could never touch them - even with various midge patterns. I sure would like to figure out that situation. Otherwise I'm glad it only lasts for a week or so.

Riverkeeper · 06-17-2003, 01:00 PM

On several occaisions, I have left the river early because I knew that hatch would drive me nuts and ruin an otherwise great day on the most magnificent river in the world. I think it may go on longer than a week as well.

Over the years I have asked the guys at welches, countrysport, kaufmans, and other stores what to use when the fish are madly rizing and no bugs are visible. They always say "Yeah, try this, it'll get'em" and hand me a little midge or mosquito type fly, none of which I have had much success with.

But this is part of what I love about the deschutes. Even though it spoils you with such large numbers of such large trout, you still have to work for them, and in my NEXT 20 years on that river, there will be just as many new things to discover.

I am torn about wether to spend my next few available fishing days back at mecca, or to try for summer chinook. From the preliminary reports, the salmon fishing doesn't sound especially hot. :smile:

Snapset · 06-17-2003, 10:10 PM

I know about that midge hatch and how partial the trout can become. I have sometimes found success during those times by using a #18 blacktail caddis. Normally, I usually use a #16 tied on a #14 hook. A lot of times it is just an early morning and sundown show when they will hit it though.