Bend area in middle of October (updated with trip report)

Billy

Billy

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Wife and I are visiting the bend area in a couple weeks and I'll have a day to fish.

It's been many many years since I've been in that area. I'll have my tube.

Leaning towards East Lake for a chance at fall browns. Will take any and all advice. Is it doable in a tube? Launch points? PM's welcome or any other ideas.

Been a busy summer and I haven't had much time to plan. Also will take any advice on things to do, places to eat etc.

Thank you
Billy
 
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I was on East Lake three non-consecutive days during a 10 day visit to Central Oregon early Oct 2024. I caught good sized rainbows all three days, but only caught browns one day...the one day it was cloudy with threatening rain. That's just my one experience, but maybe something to think about.

We just got back from a week down there. East was generally slow and the fish weren't cruising the shallow yet as they tend to do in October. Little Lava was great fun with large numbers of 13-15" rainbows mostly on floating beetles. Fall River was typical Fall River, but with the small BWO's hatching which I can match relatively well with a #18 emerger. Had fun. Crooked was perhaps better than I've ever seen it with more fish around 13-15" than usual (for me). Lastly, we had a large group and wanted to kick off our fishing with simple, no-brainer fishing, so we started by fishing Devil's Lake which is chock-full of small planted rainbows. Small callibaetis emergers and ants were the ticket there.
 
East Lake is doable in a tube. Paulina will also have big browns on the edges and is doable from a tube. I'd probably lean Paulina over East in mid-Oct. I personally like Diamond a lot in mid-to-late Oct, has browns, tigers and bows, but probably 1.5 hours away. Crane can be fun then. Hosmer also. Lava has nice bows this year. But no browns in those three lakes. All those lakes can be fished from a tube. I've got one day (Oct 12) over there myself and am trying to decide which lake to hit.

PM me if you want some tips on Diamond. Not that there are big secrets, but the its the internet and what not.
 
Thinking about it more, Paulina might be tough in a tube. I've always used a pontoon on it. It's a pretty long kick to the better shore line for browns.

Also, watch the weather that time of year. All those lakes are big (except Hosmer) and high up, and can be really unfun in a tube when there's a decent wind.
 
East is not a bad option and can be done in a tube, but watch the wind forecast. I usually launch from the resort and fish the shoals/weedbeds in front of the resort. I have some good days on Crane in October as well, the Quinn River Boat Launch is pretty conducive for tubes....

Peach
 
Appreciate the advice and pm's everyone! Leaning towards Paulina or East now. Any fly recommendations for that time of year?
 
Second Brian's recommendation - Jeff has been targeting both East and Paulina this season, with a little more time on East this year. Call or stop by Jeff's shop before your trip and he will let you know what they are biting on at both lakes. That time of year the Browns will be coming in and will be available in shallower water, if you want to do some trophy brown hunting then think big.

Peach
 
SurfnFish said:
Wind is key for the volcano lakes and Crane Prairie, and if up to chop level the lee shore is the call.
At CP on a windy east or south best to put in over by the resort, on a west or north wind the Cultus Channel.
Both East lake and Paulina have campgrounds/launch sites on opposite sides of the lakes so one of them will usually be more protected.
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I heard that my favorite access, Cinder Hill Campground, was closing last weekend unfortunately.
 
Para_Adams said:
#12 beetle. Maybe add an emerger callibaetis as a dropper on top, or a small bloodworm a couple feet down. This brown wanted the beetle a couple weeks ago.
View attachment 168839
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Agreed!
This guy was the ticket a couple Octobers ago. Risers were slamming it hard on a glassy day. Picked up a couple in 2 sizes at the shop in Sisters. This smaller one was a little more popular:
1000011662.jpg
 
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