May 22, 2010 - Bend Bulletin - Salmon hatch starts early on Lower Deschutes

Salmonfly hatch starts early on Lower Deschutes

Anglers who want to fish the salmonfly hatch on the Lower Deschutes should get on the river soon.

This warmer temperature is causing salmonflies to hatch about two weeks earlier than normal this year, and will for years to come, according to Don Ratliff, a fish biologist for Portland General Electric.

Hungry rainbow trout feed on the 3-inch salmonflies, which land on the surface of the water to lay their eggs.

Jeff Perrin, owner of the Fly Fisher’s Place in Sisters, said this week that he expects the early hatch to catch many anglers off guard.

—Bulletin staff report