Join Us for the Weekend at East Lake, Oregon

Weekend Trip: Friday, September 25 | Cinder Hill Campground (Meet @ 8:00am @ boat launch)

Camping: September 25 - 27, 2026 | Cinder Hill Campground 

Join Fishmaster Michael Golob for a fantastic fly-fishing outing on the beautiful East Lake. You can camp in the campground or call East Lake Resort 1/2 mile down the road for cabins or full RV hook ups.

Join the Outing

Make you reservations at Cinder Hill through reservations.gov. Or you can drive up when you want, over half of the campground is on a first-come first-served basis.

East Lake Resort has cabins and full RV hook ups. Call them at 541-536-2230. Check them out at: www.eastlakeresort.com

Important: The lake is reported to be low due to lack of snowpack this last winter. The boat ramps are out of the water so launching boats from trailers will be difficult. Local gudies in Bend and Sunriver are not fishing the lake because they only use boats on trailers. That could mean that if you are fishing from a kayak, or pontoon you could have some exceptional fishing. If all else fails, Paulina Lake next door is full of water and that lake holds the state record for Brown Trout.

For the non-fisherperson: East Lake sets in the Newberry Caldera. If fishing isn't your thing, but you love the outdoors then this is the place for you. The East Lake Resort or the Paulina Lake Resort have a bar, a restaurant and both have beautiful patios over looking the water. If hiking is your thing, there is the Big Obsidian Flow. At a mere 1300 years old, the Big Obsidian Flow is the youngest lava flow in Oregon. A one-mile interpretive trail climbs up and onto this impressive lava flow of obsidian (black glass) and pumice which is located a couple of miles before you get to Cinder Hill Campground.

But wait. Did I mention that Paulina Lake has hot springs bubbling up at the lakes edge? Well there is. You have to hike to it, or take a boat. I could write pages about it here, but if your interested just Google "Paulina Lake Hot Springs" and you'll have everything you need know about it.

Tentative Itinerary

Main gathering location: Cinder Hill Campground, at the boat ramp.

Google Map location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cDusGZeqxzpUKymt8

Meeting locations and times are subject to change. Please RSVP so Michael can contact you if plans are updated.

Fishing Plan

Rods & Lines: 5 to 7 weight single-handed rods paired with floating, intermediate, or full-sinking lines depending on depth.

Fishing from shore can be very productive as the fish come into the shallows in September.

Boat and Pontoon Tactics

• Wind Drifting: Use the persistent afternoon wind to drift broad flats and drop-offs while trailing leeches or callibaetis nymphs on intermediate or type 3 sinking lines. [1, 2, 3, 4]
• Anchor Management: Drop anchor just off the weed lines or drop-offs to static-fish chironomids under an indicator, keeping your fly vertically suspended in the strike zone.
• Trolling Streamers: Use an electric motor or slow row to pull Woolly Buggers or baitfish imitations along the steep drop-off near the White Slide to trigger aggressive brown trout. [1, 2, 3]

Navigation and Hotspots

• The White Slide: Position your boat parallel to this deep, steep wall on the south shore, as large brown trout hold deep here and cruise up to hunt.
• East Shore Flats: Target the shallower, sandy flats on the eastern side where kokanee gather to spawn, drawing in massive, predatory brown trout.
• Weed Line Edges: Stay 20 to 30 feet off the visible weed beds along the west and north shores, casting parallel to the edges where rainbows actively cruise.

1. Callibaetis (Mayfly) Patterns

• Parachute Adams (Size 14–16): Exceptional for matching the late-season adult duns on flat water during sunny afternoons.
• Callibaetis Cripple / Last Chance Cripple (Size 14–16): Crucial for trout targeting trapped, easy meals on the surface film.
• Balanced Callibaetis Nymph (Size 14–16): Fish this under an indicator over the weed beds during the morning hours. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

2. Chironomids (Midges)

• Ice Midge / Chromie (Size 16–18): Silver or black bodies with red or wire ribbing work best suspended 1 to 2 feet off the bottom.
• Bloodworm (Size 14–16): Bright red maroon midge larvae patterns, highly effective during low-light mornings or overcast days. [1, 2]

3. Streamers & Attractors (For Big Browns)

• Beadhead Woolly Bugger (Size 6–10): Olive, black, or dark brown to mimic leeches; strip or wind-drift these along the drop-offs.
• Zonkers & Bunny Leeches (Size 4–8): White, silver, or orange/red combinations to mimic juvenile trout or injured spawning kokanee. [1, 2, 

RSVP Required

If you plan to attend, please fill out registration button above (top of this page), or email mpgolob@gmail.com with the following information:

1. Your name

2. Names of anyone coming with you

3. Your cell phone number

4. Emergency contact name

5. Emergency contact phone number

6. Are you joining the Saturday day trip or camping for the weekend?

7. If camping, what campsite did you reserve?

RSVPs help us plan, communicate any changes, and keep everyone accounted for during the outing.

Safety

For emergencies, aside from calling 911 when in cell coverage, please take note of the following information:

Nearest Regional Hospitals:

• St Charles Bend, in Bend, OR. 2500 NE Neff Rd. 97701. Phone: 541-382-4321

Nearest Clinics in Estacada (Limited Hours):

• St Charles Family Care Clinic - La Pine: 51781 Huntington Rd. La Pine, OR 97739. Phone: 541-536-3435
• La Pine Community Health Center: 51600 Huntington Rd. La Pine, OR 97739. Phone: 541-536-345

Email mpgolob@gmail.com if you have any questions.

See you on the water!

Cheers,
Michael Golob
Fishmaster, East Lake Outing