10/24/2025 – Depending on your level of bravery, the season on Hosmer may be done after today. Saturday and Sunday should bring lots of snow and high winds, while Monday and Tuesday will most likely bring freezing rain. The end of next week looks ok, though I personally would rather go to a lower-elevation body of water like Crane Prairie as you’ll almost certainly be in a boat anyway if Hosmer was going to be an option.
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10/10/2025 – The season on Hosmer is starting to approach it’s terminus. A vast majority of fish are in the channel, with a smattering of fish cruising the upper lake. As mentioned in past reports, Hosmer is a perfect candidate for a dry-dropper, as the depth remains relatively stable and normal strike indicators tend to spook fish a little more often than one might like on Hosmer Lake.
Scuds, midges, chironomids, and leeches are all good bets.
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10/3/2025 – Stripping a small Pine Squirrel is a great call on Hosmer Lake this time of year, while dropping it below a Chubby Chernobyl is also solid. Sizing down one’s tippet can also help anglers find fish this time of year. As you only have to fight the fish and not the current AND the fish, “protecting” one’s tippet is much easier. 5x feels like 4x, 4x feels like 3x, etc…
Scuds and chironomids/midges will also be important to have. A size #16 gray scud can be deadly this time of year. Similar to the other Cascade Lakes, chironomids should be sized down as the season progress, so the size #14-18 should be in the sweet spot.
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9/26/2025 – The fish have continued to migrate out of the upper lake and into the channel. As mentioned last week, they will spook if you get to close, so try to anchor up away from the zones you’re hoping to cast into. Trust that every bend will have fish and don’t be afraid to soak your flies for a while. They will sometimes do circles around your fly before eating it.
They are not too keen on moving flies, so a double chironomid beneath some sort of dry fly should work. Hosmer is an easy one to avoid using an indicator on as much of the lake is pretty much the exact depth, so you don’t need to adjust for depth too often.
They aren’t really eating dries too well, but something odd like a yellow jacket, ant, or beetle pattern could pick up a few fish.
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9/19/2025 – I had the opportunity to get out on Hosmer earlier this week and had a very inconsistent day. I got a few fish to turn for very lightly-weighted callibaetis patterns on an intermediate line. I also convinced a couple to munch on a size #14 Holographic-bodied Sno-Cone and a few more on a size #12 olive leech.
There were almost no fish whatsoever in the upper lake with the exception of two large pods right where the channel opens up. Water temps in the upper lake were 56, while the lower lake read 60 on the thermometer. Pretty much all of the fish we saw were in the channel between the two sections of the lake.
Cross your fingers for a little bit of wind and trust that there are fish there, even if you can’t see too well.
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9/12/2025 – Fishing has been productive on Hosmer lately and crowds have continued to diminish. Due to the relative stable depth of the lake, I really like fishing dry-droppers on Hosmer this time of year. I think most would be surprised how many fish one might hook on the dry fly–even if there isn’t a great hatch going on.
Chironomids under a dry or indicator have produced the most fish, though stripping leeches and callibaetis patterns will work, too. Ants and beetles will sporadically get attention as; I especially like RIOs Foam Beetle as I think the fish also see it as a Water Boatman, which is a mainstay on the menu for trout found in stillwater.
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9/5/2025 – Hosmer Lake is significantly less busy these days as school is back in session and Labor Day is in the rearview. Fishing on the lower section of the lake just before the channel has been good, while fishing on the other side of the channel has been fishing well, too. The fish actually IN the channel between the lakes tend to be pretty spooky, so casting a bit further and to water you have not yet passed over is a very good idea.
Scuds, chironomids, damsel and callibaetis nymphs, and terrestrials will do well. The surface action has been relatively slim, so for those going after the dry fly bite might skip Hosmer this weekend (though each day is a new day and maybe the dry fly fishing will heat up).
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8/29/2025 – Hosmer Lake is fishing well, though it may be one to wait on until school is back in session next Wednesday (9/4), as I assume there will be an absurd amount of floaters enjoying the last bit of their summer.
For those who are heading out that direction. I really like a dry-dropper setup with a nymph strategically dangling directly over the weeds or on the edge of the channel. Due to the inevitability of a great number of paddlers, a lot of fish should be sitting in the channel, so that will definitely be an area to focus on.
A hover or intermediate should also be strung up for Hosmer if one has access to a second rod and reel. Stripping small leeches, damsel nymphs, and callibaetis imitations should get the fish moving around. The action on the surface has continued to blow chunks, so fishing underneath is definitely the best option.
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8/22/2025 – Hmmm… My report from last week seems not to have saved, so my apologies to anyone I let down!
Hosmer was really good this past week as the milder weather kept away the plastic hatch and the fish were darting around for sub-surface flies. This can be an exciting time to be on Hosmer for the angler armed with a SA Clear Camo line or RIO CamoLux and a box of lightly-weighted calli. nymphs. I would definitely consider stripping calli. nymphs, as well as small and/or unweighted leeches.
A chironomid below a blue-colored Chubby Chernobyl or a beetle-imitation has the potential to crush, as well. Send one of those rigs over the channel and see what happens!
We have curated a solid chironomid section and I would love to show anybody who comes to the shop a few of my favorites!
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8/7/2025 – I would like to first echo my sentiment from last week regarding the importance of a hover (1in sink/second) or an intermediate line (1-2in sink/second) for Hosmer Lake. While not everyday do the fish crave a stripped damsel, calli., or leech, but when they do it is quite the sight! Water temps are solid in the upper lake and fish are happy to move for flies, one does not need to hit them in the face with their fly for the to eat it. I really like Mercer’s Poxyback Callibaetis, any unweighted, marabou damsel (bonus points if it has small, black mono eyes).
For those who prefer fishing lakes, Hosmer is certainly the place to be as it is currently sitting in the mid-50’s, and will probably stay below 60 during the heat wave next week.
A dry-dropper setup with a blue Chubby Chernobyl with a chironomid, damsel nymph, or callibaetis will fool even the spookiest of Hosmer fish, too.
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8/1/2025 – Hosmer Lake has been fishing well, though the “plastic hatch” is rather thick, with tour companies and many day-trippers arriving between 8-9am and leaving between 4-5pm. This leaves a window in the early-morning and late-evening to get away from the crowds and find some willing fish. I would not bother fishing the lower-portion of the lake near the boat ramps (too many people, too high of temps, and not enough fish) and focus on busting a move to the upper-portion of the lake.
While I personally have not experienced this this year, there has been decent action on damsel-dries some days; Callibaetis have been a bit more consistent than damsels, while terrestrials being the most consistent. Big caddis patterns may also do a good job of imitating the larger Sedges that can be found in Hosmer and the surrounding lakes.
I have always had great success stripping bugs at Hosmer, which is normally my main motivator for heading out that direction. Zak Attack Damsels, Hula Damsels, Poxyback Calli., CDC Calli., and marabou-bodied damsels with black mono eyes are my faves. I also quite like stripping Hale Bopp leeched (weighted and unweighted), as well as Damsel Buggers and Woolly Buggers.
For those without a sinking line in their arsenal, we have an expansive selection of different lines from Scientific Anglers here in the shop, and would be more than happy to discuss pros, cons, and uses for each!
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7/18/2025 – Dry fly fishing on Hosmer Lake is looking good! Both damsel dries and callibaetis dries will be important to have. The warm (but not overly hot) weather should prompt some prolific hatches. For those that avoid Hosmer this time of year due to the “Plastic Hatch”, this upcoming week could be a great time to go! Temps at higher elevations should be quite reasonable with the potential for some rain later in the week, which should definitely send many leisurely paddlers to more balmy pastures.
As mentioned in past reports, I enjoy sub-surface fishing, so I would still come prepared with my leeches, chironomids, midges, and damsel and callibaetis nymphs. I think dry-dropper rigs can be rather stealthy and I feel are often overlooked on lakes. Even if the dry ends up acting as a glorified indicator, it certainly can’t hurt. A foamy terrestrial-pattern with a chironomid dangling over the weeds seems especially tantalizing right now.
Water temps shouldn’t be too bad at all, which may be another reason to hit up Hosmer here soon!
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7/11/2025 – Hosmer Lake is another that is highly impacted by high temps. The fish normally leave the lower lake and hide in the channels or along the weeds in the channel between the lower and upper lake. Early mornings and late evenings are especially important in times like this. Callibaetis dries have been consistent, as have caddis patterns, and a lot of people have been having success on streamers! How fun is that?! Stripping leeches, small baitfish patterns, callibaetis nymphs, and damsel nymphs are all worthy endeavors and can often result in high-caliber fish!
While not ideal to some, sizing up one’s tippet to reduce fight times will really help the fish recover quicker after being caught and will help minimize mortality rates during spells like this.
For more fly suggestions, refer to last weeks report!
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7/4/2025 – Fishing at Hosmer Lake has been on fire in recent days! While many anglers on Hosmer may have found the callibaetis action on the surface to be slightly below average so far, other styles of fishing have been working well! Luckily for anglers, “slightly below average” at Hosmer means that action is still pretty darn good!
Stripping leeches, callibaetis, and damsels has been killer. As the water warms, the metabolism of the fish increases and makes them more willing to move for flies, which is a key aspect of stripping flies. Water temps are definitely a bit higher right now, making the fish a bit more active, but will also make proper fish handling important to ensure the fish swim off happy and healthy.
Flies to try: Mercer’s Poxyback (#14), Zack Attack Damsels, Pine Squirrel Leeches (#12 in olive and black), and Barr’s Damsel Nymph. Chan’s Ruby-eyed Leech, Diesel’s Bou Leech, and Hale Bopp Leeches are also worth throwing on a slow-sinking line of some kind.
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6/27/2025 – Hosmer Lake was the body of water potentially most affected by the poor weather last weekend. It seems to have set back the callibaetis hatch a fair bit; luckily, this was just a set back, and there have been more and more calli. showing up. While I’m unsure if the fish will be consistently rising to calli. on the surface in the coming days, they’re still happily feeding on a variety of bugs.
Fishing Hosmer Lake was the thing that first prompted me to get an intermediate line. Stripping bugs over the channels at Hosmer, yet deep enough for the fish to notice all while staying above the weed beds requires an unweighted (or very lightly weighted) fly and a slow-sinking line. For reference, an intermediate line sinks about 1.5 in/sec, so you don’t have to strip your fly super quickly to avoid dropping your fly into the weeds. I quite like Scientific Anglers Titan Sink Tip (intermediate) line. It casts well and will turn over anything you want to huck as it’s original intention was to be used with streamers. If its two-size heavy technology puts you off (which is perfectly understandable), the SA Sonar Clear Camo and RIO’s Elite Sub-Surface Camolux line are also great lines.
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6/20/2025 – Hosmer Lake might also be one to skip this weekend, though next week should be super solid! It’s still primarily chironomids, but the callibaetis should be really popping as the weather settles down next week.
Chironomid patterns: Vinyl Chironomids, Ice Cream Cones, Snow Cones, and anything tied by the one-and-only Cat Laflamme should do well.
As with an alpine lake, leeches are a go-to searching pattern. I normally tie on a leech to start a stillwater session and feel like it normally works out pretty well. I really like unweighted or lightly-weighted Woolly Buggers on Hosmer. Heavily-weighted flies are not as helpful on Hosmer as you tend to end up in the weed beds.
For those who might not have been to Hosmer before but are looking to give it a go, it has very little walk-in access, so a flotation device of any kind is much needed.
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6/13/2025 – Similar to nearby lakes like Crane Prairie and the Lava Lakes, the callibaetis hatch can be something to behold at times on Hosmer Lake. It seems to be in the process of ramping up with the next two weeks or so being especially productive.
Checking my notes from last year on this date, I found myself on a borrowed paddleboard stripping callibaetis and damsel nymphs on an intermediate line with great success. While I was fishing unweighted flies so as not to get hung up in the weeds every cast, those stripping heavier flies might want to consider a hover or floating line. Fish at Hosmer seem really willing to move for flies, so you don’t necessarily have stick it right in their face.
Woolly Buggers (#8-12 in olive or black), Mayer’s Mini Leech, Micro BB Leeches, and a variety of damsel and callibaetis nymphs should work well. While I haven’t heard of much surface action so far, that will probably change soon, so be prepared!
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6/6/2026 – Fishing at Hosmer Lake is off to a fantastic start in 2025! For those who haven’t tried (or even for those who have) stripping different kinds of bugs on an intermediate or hover line, it is a very fun and effective way to produce strikes! Typically, anglers on Hosmer would set themselves up near the channels or pods of fish and cast into the channel/pod, let it sink a bit, then slowly retrieve your fly above the weed beds. In addition to the patterns named last week, Zack Attack Damsels, Sierra Damsels, Ultra Damsels, and Hula Damsels are worth picking up. For those who feel up to the task, dropping a CDC Callibaetis nymph or the back (or vice versa) can be a great test to see what they prefer right now.
As always, balanced and non-balanced leeches are a must have. I’ve found in my own personal fishing on Hosmer Lake that the smaller patterns tend to work a little bit better, though that is far from a hard and fast rule.
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5/30/2025 – The 2025 Hosmer Lake season is officially upon us! This higher-alpine lake is now accessible to put-in your favorite watercraft. For those who are not too familiar with Hosmer Lake, it pretty much has to be accessed in a flotation device. A large percentage of the fish that inhabit the lake congregate in the channels, which act as a superhighway and are not easily reached by a cast from the banks. The ones who hover over the weed beds and among the tall grass on the edges tend to be a spookier than the fish in the channels. As is good practice for fishing any lake in Central Oregon, it is always a good idea to check the weather before heading out! Even if the weather in Bend is lovely with little wind, the same cannot always be said for the bodies of water on the Cascade Lakes Highway.
Flies to try (pretty much all sub-surface right now): callibaetis and damsel nymphs, smaller buggers, pine squirrel leeches, smaller balanced leeches, and similar. For anyone who might be trying to find flies others might not be using to imitate the aforementioned bugs, I recommend looking up what the “naturals” look like, then checking the bins that hold bugs one might typically use in moving water. Just because something doesn’t have one of those buzzwords in the name doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t work.
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5/23/2025 – Some recent drone footage I saw showed an ice-free Hosmer Lake, though it is still inaccessible by vehicle. With hot weather on the horizon, this could change before my next report.
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5/16/2025 – While we are getting closer to fishing Hosmer Lake, there still is plenty of ice and snow, with this recent cold(er) spell not really helping things along.
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11/22/2024 – As the Cascade Lakes Highway is now closed, Hosmer is virtually inaccessible. However, it can be legally fished year-round.
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11/8/2024 – Judging from the amount of snow on the Cascades, Hosmer Lake may soon be inaccessible. Very cold water temps may make the fish slightly sluggish, though stripping small (#12-16 Leeches, Mayer’s Mini Leeches (olive or black), or small Woolly Buggers through the channels will catch fish if they are actively feeding.
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10/26/2024 – As one of the highest-elevation lakes (that is fished consistently), the weather at Hosmer turns a bit earlier than it does here in Bend. As the weather is looking pretty shaky at best, I would recommend finding another body of water for your fishing expedition.
If you’re willing to brave the elements, leeches are king this time of year.
