Lower Deschutes River

12/6/2024 – Despite the cold weather, fishing has remained pretty consistently good on the Lower Deschutes. The flows have held relatively steady between 4100-4200cfs, which is a very typical number for this time of year. Like pretty much every other river in Central Oregon right now, nymphing is your best bet. The trout have moved out of the riffles and off the banks for the most part. Don’t be afraid to fish water that you wouldn’t normally fish! Fish on the Lower Deschutes are notorious for holding in water that most anglers ignore. Slow, deep, pool-like holes with boulders scattered throughout are perfect for a trout finding a winter home.

Flies to try: #6-10 Gorman Eggs, #10-14 Surreal eggs, and #12-16 Slush Eggs. Other include #6-8 Peacock Stones, Hot-bead Pat’s Rubber Legs, Girdle Bugs, and TJ Hookers.


11/22/2024 – Steelhead season is certainly winding down on the Lower Deschutes, but there are still plenty in the system. After one of the best runs in recent memory, many are hopeful that this is indicative of future runs and not just a natural fluctuation. Either way, it’s been a hoot to see all of the fish people have been catching! If you’re still hoping to swing one up, consider using a sink tip of some sort (T8-T11). The water is a little too cold at this point in the year for fish to be eating flies in the upper portion of the water column.

For trout, egg patterns are important to have at this point of the year. There seem to be a great deal of Chinook in the system this year, which are no doubt dropping crazy amounts of eggs into the waiting mouths of the Redbands parked below the redds. For fly recommendations, refer to the report from 11/8.

REMINDER: The west side of the river between Warm Springs and Trout Creek is Tribal land and is CLOSED from October 31st until next April. Please refrain from fishing that side and only pull off on the east side of the river.