One of the best hatches is the salmonfly hatch, which takes place amid the throngs of fishermen in late May and early June. The golden stoneflies follow this hatch, followed still by hatches of pale morning dun, tan caddis, pale evening dun, trico and blue winged olive. Overall, the caddisfly is the staple hatch on the river. But the summer months usually find anglers nymphing likely lies with weighted nymphs, and this kind of technique can be deadly at times. Dry fly fishing can be good at times, and at other times it pays to try emergers or small nymphs.
Wet flies can be effective, too.
Spin fishermen have success casting Rooster Tails and Panther Martins around the large rocks and into the glides. The trout of this river have to struggle against the constant power of the river and are strong fighters. Known to any angler who has ever tied into a Deschutes trout is the redside trout, a native fish with extra oomph when on the end of a line. The trout grow to impressive sizes, with the average brown trout running about 15 inches and the average native rainbow about 16 inches or thereabouts. Many brown trout weigh over 10 pounds, and the redsides top 20 inches every so often.