7/3/2026 – Flows dropped a little bit on the Crooked, but are still fairly normal. The fishing has been outstanding lately, with anglers having equal success on the surface as below. There has been a mix of PMDs and caddis in the mornings starting around 10am and trailing off around noon. Things have picked back up around 2pm and more or less continue throughout the evening, with the second hatch primarily consisting of caddis.
During hatches on the Crooked, it is very important to keep switching flies. It is a rare day where one can fish a single pattern the whole hatch with continued success. Here are some caddis options: Keller’s Rage Cage Caddis (tan or black in #14-18), X-Caddis in all colors and sizes, Puterbaugh’s Caddis (black in #14-16), Corn-Fed Caddis (tan in #16), and Sedge Hammers (natural in #14-16).
For PMDs, I like to go smaller on the Crooked (#16-18). Hackle Stackers, Film Critics, Comparduns, Sparkle Duns, Stealth Links, and the Last Chance Cripple.
In terms of nymphing, midges and small caddis flies are on the menu. Size #16-18 for caddis and #20-22 for midges. Small PMD patterns like the Splitback Shady and Crackback Yeager will also do well.
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6/26/2026 – The Crooked has been fishing consistently well over the past week. Flows bumped up a tiny bit more, but are still well inside the normal range. The bug life has been solid, but not incredible. We’re still seeing caddis and midges out there, but not in crazy numbers. That being said, if all you want to do is throw dries, the Crooked is probably the place for you.
On the sub-surface side of things: midges, leeches, scuds, and the omnipresent perdigon will get the job done for you.
Our guides are reporting that there are still some crazy late spawners at the top of Big Bend CG, so be careful when wading in that section.
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6/19/2026 – Flows have bumped from 180cfs to 250cfs over the last couple of days on the Crooked. I assume this is probably necessary for irrigation, but it does not bode well for late summer on the Crooked as the reservoir is only around 50% full and it’s not even July.
But nothing to be done about it! Let’s fish while we can! The Crooked has been fantastic lately, with solid caddis hatches and a few PMDs, too. Midges can be fished any day of the year with great effect on the Crooked, as well.
For fly suggestions, please refer to my last report. A few to add: Hogan’s Lil Amigo, Berry’s PCP (the smallest size), Anato-Mays, and anything small and olive or tan!
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6/12/2026 – Flows have more or less remained steady at 180cfs, which is a little low for summer, but still totally acceptable. Caddis and PMDs have been the main hatches, with those brave enough to fish #20-22 midges also finding willing fish. With the warm weather meaning warmer water, I expect a good caddis hatch to be popping off this week.
For caddis: Body Double Caddis, Big Boned Caddis, Finfetcher Caddis, X-Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis, Front End Loaders and King Splitsville Caddis.
On the nymphing side, Split Case PMDs, small Panty Droppers (#18), Splitback Shadys, and Daniel’s Sunburst Perdigon; small Walt’s Worms, Micro Mayflies, Twisted Mays, Two-Bit Hookers, most midge patterns, the Midweight Scud, and small perdigons.
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6/5/2026 – Expect much of the same from the Crooked as the past 10 days or so. There are some sporadic caddis hatches with plenty of midges in between. We aren’t quite seeing any PMDs yet, though that should change here soon.
Dries: size #16-18 X-Caddis, size #16-18 Body Double Caddis, size #16-20 Griffith’s Gnats, and small Parachute Adams.
Nymphs to try: Crossfit Jigs, T. Midges, Seredipities, Zebra Midges, Two Bit Hookers (red), Fullback Napoleons, Midweight Scuds, Craven’s Lil Bit, and Hogan’s S&M nymph.
The flows have been all over the place since my last report, with it seeming to settle right around 180cfs. Seeing as Prineville Reservoir is already at 57% capacity, this does not bode well for late summer fishing on the Crooked, but we will just have to wait and see.
NOTE: Please avoid fishing/wading in the upper section of Big Bend CG. Much of this zone are trout redds and hold the key to the future of fishing on the Crooked!
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5/29/2026 – We are kind of between hatches right now. The caddis have pretty much gone away and the midges are fewer and further between. This means it is time to get back to the basics! Small perdigons, midges, leeches, and small caddis pupa are going to be by far your best bets. If you haven’t swung or dead-drifted leeches on the Crooked you are missing fish! Whether they are flushed through the dam or there just happen to be a lot of leeches in the river, but boy oh boy do they love them.
The Crooked dropped overnight from 270 to about 235cfs. This shouldn’t affect the fishing too much as 235 is still a very normal flow for this time of year.
Flies to try: leeches in size #12-14, DD Midges, T. Midges, Zebra Midges, Juan’s Splitback Shady (PMD in size #18, BWO in size #20, Two Bit Hookers (red, size #16-20), Rainbow Warriors (#18-20), Higa’s SOS (#16-20), and the Holy Grail Caddis (#16).
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5/22/2026 – Whelp, the caddis didn’t last as long as I would’ve liked, but the fishing is still quite solid on the Crooked. PMDs have started to pop and there are still some caddis to be found.
Small mayfly nymphs like Higa’s SOS and Hogan’s Lil Amigo (olive or brown) and Two-Bit Hookers are doing quite well. As always, small perdigons are doing a number on the fish. I really like Daniel’s Sunburst Jig (#16-18), RIO’s May it Be (baetis), small Frenchies, small Sunburst Perdigons (the other one), and anything with a yellow back (to imitate a small PMD).
On the surface, I like Egg-Laying Caddis, Finfetcher Caddis, Hackle Stacker PMDs, Stealth Link PMDs, and any color or size of the Missing Link.
As per usual, midges will also work well (see last week’s report).
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5/15/2026 – Caddis. Caddis dries, caddis nymphs, caddis pupa, it’s all good right now. The caddis are thick in numbers and the fish have taken notice. The Mother’s Day Caddis hatch is in full swing! For that reason, anything with a bright green butt will do well. In addition, any sort of caddis with a trailing shuck will do well (think X-Caddis).
Flies to try: Mangy Caddis, Sparkle Caddis, the Holy Grail Caddis, Primetime Pupa, Hungarian Caddis Pupa, and Baltz’ CDC Caddis are all great sub-surface flies. On the surface, I’m really liking all-natural flies like the Sedge Hammer and Corn-Fed Caddis. When there are so many bugs on the water, I like to get a slim profile bug with a bit of flash and see if I can’t get their attention.
As always, midges and small mayfly patterns can and will find fish. The T. Midge, Lexi’s Holo Midge, and the Serendipity are a few of my faves.
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5/8/2026 – The Crooked has been a bit of a mixed bag this past week. Despite a somewhat “biblical” caddis hatch, the fish haven’t been rising as readily as we have come to expect. On a brighter note, the Mother’s Day Caddis have been showing up in good numbers and I expect that to continue over the next couple of weeks. If you plan on tying up any caddis patterns in the next few days, make sure a few of them have a bright green egg sac.
Flies I like: Sparkle Pupa (olive), the Poopah, Juan’s Krypto Caddis (chartreuse butt, and the Depth Charge Caddis, and the Mangy Caddis. On the surface, the Egg Layer Caddis, X-Caddis, peacock Elk Hair Caddis and olive/tan Missing Link.
Swinging a leech with a caddis pupa off the back or a Hare’s Ear might be a really awesome searching technique.
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5/1/2026 – Midges and BWOs have started to die down for the time being on the Crooked River. but the caddis are heating up! Olive caddis in all forms are being crushed right now, with the focus still mainly being sub-surface. Nymphs to try: Anato-May, Czech SOB, Spanish Bullet, Holy Grail Caddis, and really anything around size #16, olive, and buggy. On the surface, X-Caddis, Sparkle Duns, and EHCs are getting it done. It’s not rocket science when it comes to dries on the Crooked right now, basic patterns will work just fine.
Flows have continued to bump up over the last 10 days or so, with numbers currently running just below 250cfs. This is pretty standard for this time of year and should have no impact (positive or negative) on the quality of the fishing. The one thing I will say on the topic is that those with Korkers wading boots should consider getting the studded felt soles if you’re planning on heading out there because boy is it slick!
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4/17/2026 – To start with, the flows bumped up a very nominal amount to about 190-192cfs over the past 5 days or so, which is perfectly fine. Fish will start to spreading out a bit more. It’s likely they’ll start pushing more into the swifter water as opposed to the pools and slicks behind rocks that they stay in during the winter.
We’re still seeing a BWO hatch most days around midday, though I don’t expect as good of one this weekend with the weather being as nice as it will be. I would stock up on small scud patterns, baetis nymphs, midges, and one should still have an egg or two in their box just in case. Favorite patterns right now: Hot-bead Ray Charles (#18), Midweight Scud (#18) and just a small gray scud. I also like the Lil Bit in black (#18), the Mercury Midge (#18-22), and the Crossfit Midge (#18-20). Small Hare’s Ears and Pheasant Tails will continue to do well.
For dries, Film Critics, ICU Baetis, Split or Sparkle Flags, and Parawulffs will do well (#18-20).
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4/10/2026 – Those who check the flows religiously may have noticed that the flows have bumped considerably in the last 10 days or so. While changed in flows can/do mess with the quality of the fishing, it only takes about 24 hours for them to settle back in. That said, if you’re headed that way and see that the flows have bumped or dropped that same day, maybe consider hitting Prineville Reservoir to whack some smallmouth!
The fishing has remained steady on the Crooked, despite a little heavier crowds than usual. It’s still mostly BWOs and midges on the surface (and below), though we should start seeing caddis here and there very soon.
Folks have been having a lot of luck on small, olive emergers, so consider dangling one of those behind a more visible fly and see what gives!
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3/27/2026 – We’re back with a new report and an abundance of enthusiasm for the Crooked River!
Skwalas have been sighted here and there, with anglers having much more success on the surface with Chubby-like flies than other anglers fishing on the Middle Deschutes.
A dry-dropper with a size #12-14 Chubby and a #14-16 orange Egg? That sounds like a recipe for success from me! I know I’m always going on and on about the egg, but I’m willing to guarantee bites for anyone who gives it a try.
Other flies that have been working: BWO dries (Film Critic, Hackle Stacker, Para-Wulff, RS2 in #18’s and #20’s. Fishing anything small and olive under the surface will also elicit a response from the fish. As always, both midge dries and nymphs will stick a fish or two if you’re in a pinch.
Flows are sitting at 86cfs (perfect) with Prineville Reservoir at 72% capacity (not so perfect).
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3/3/2026 – The good news: flows on the Crooked have not dropped any more after dipping to 76cfs several weeks ago. The other good news: the Crooked is on fire!
I spent a lovely Monday afternoon on the river this past week and was rewarded with dozens of fish! I fished a size #16 yellow Eggstatic egg with a size #20 Zebra Midge below it and found plenty of fish willing to play. I lost the Zebra Midge at some point in time and didn’t bother to replace it; the fish only really wanted the egg.
For those of you unwilling to fish an egg-pattern, midges, baetis and PMD nymphs will do well, too. Don’t be afraid to fish some tiny, black stoneflies, as well!
Swinging soft hackles and leeches has still been effective, though finding water deep enough to swing is not as easy.
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2/13/2026 – A bit of intrigue in the report today! Over the past few days, several anglers have run into a great Winter Stonefly hatch! These bugs are around size #12-16, with the majority being in the #14-16 range and are jet black. Anglers should consider fishing a dry-dropper with a black Chubby Chernobyl on top and see if it elicits bites! I have a strong feeling it will.
Other than that, nothing has changed from my last report. Flows have dropped to 76cfs, which is OK for now, but if it drops any lower, we might have to consider avoiding the Crooked until flows get bumped back up. Prineville Reservoir sits at 58% capacity right now, which is significantly less than it should be, so cross your fingers for some precipitation!
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1/30/2026 – The Crooked has been fishing splendidly over the past several weeks. I have heard of at least 3 more steelhead being caught since my report last week.
Flows have held steady at just over 100cfs. I’m slightly concerned that they might drop them soon in order to hold more water in the reservoir (due to the lack of precipitation), but it has yet to happen.
Emergers and midge nymphs have been the ticket lately–primarily baetis and midge emergers. Flies like the Serendipity and the RS2 would be good options. As would the olive Tungsten Midge (really just anything small and olive will do the trick).
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1/22/2026 – I have now heard of at least three steelhead being caught in the Crooked below Bowman Dam! While not legal to target in the Crooked, catching one as bycatch is perfectly OK and will certainly add intrigue to a lovely day out on the water!
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1/15/2026 – I am mighty pleased with the continued great fishing on the Crooked. Over the last several days I have had customers coming in reporting success on small, splitback PMD patterns, baetis nymphs, BWO emergers, eggs, and, of course, midges.
This warm weather seems to have jump started their metabolism and they are munching away. Personally, I would be running a small egg pattern to a Juju Baetis, Zebra Midge, or Manhattan Midge. If that didn’t work, an olive Panty Dropper, Micro Mayfly, or tiny Perdigon (also olive). If all else fails, I would swing a leech.
Other midge patterns I might suggest: Jujubee Midge, Biot Midge, Bling Midge, and Higa’s SOS.
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1/1/26 – The first fishing report of 2026! Woohoo! It’s already going better than last year at this time when the Crooked was at flood stage. The river is rocking a cool 100cfs; perfectly normal for this time of year.
It’s been a really good time out on the Crooked over the past few weeks with the average fish getting a bit larger and still pretty hungry. Swinging leech patterns, nymphing whitefish-colored eggs and small baetis patterns will surely stick a few fish. You might see a couple of fish rise to midges throughout the day, but I wouldn’t count on much dry fly action.
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12/18/25 – The egg bite seems to back on in full force on the Crooked to my surprise, it seems that there must be a bunch of straggler whitefish still spawning up higher in the river. Swinging soft-hackle patterns has been great, as well as the usual leeches and Woolly Buggers. The fish coming out of the river lately have been pretty darn large on average (for the Crooked), which is awesome to see. In addition, ODFW stocked some steelhead at a few undisclosed campgrounds, meaning that you might run into one or two. If you do, take a picture of the number on their dorsal tag and send it in to help out our state scientists and fish biologists!
Flows have bumped up a few CFS, but it shouldn’t make the slightest of differences.
