Fish On!

Middle Deschutes River

Your Direct Line to the Water

Guide Report

11/22/2024 – For anybody looking to stay within 30 minutes of town, the Middle Deschutes is your best (and only) option, as Cascade Lakes Hwy is closed for the season. The Middle D fishes pretty well throughout the winter. Currently, fishing south of town is heating up. The most successful anglers will be nymphing, though the bigger fish are most often caught on streamers. For some more tips, check out our most recent blog post on how to find success while fly fishing in the winter!

11/8/2024 – The Middle Deschutes is a fall favorite for many anglers in the Bend-area. The brown trout tend to get pretty aggressive and territorial, so flinging small streamers is a super fun tactic to catch them. Kreelex Minnows (#6-8), Sparkle Minnows (#6-8), Fish Whackers (#4-6), Mini-Dungeons (#4-6) are some go-to streamers for sure. Nymphs to try include: #14-16 Hot Head Pheasant Tails, #10-14 Leeches, #8-10 Stoneflies (black), and #14-18 Walt’s Worms.

General Weather

Get More Weather Info Here

Details

About the Water

Benham Falls to Lake Billy Chinook

Beginning at the base of Benham Falls, this section of the Deschutes travels north through the town of Bend, through Redmond, Terrebonne, and then all the way to Lake Billy Chinook. Anglers can expect to encounter everything from smooth meandering flows over sandy bottom, to rolling whitewater characteristic of steep elevation drops in this year ‘round fishery. Increased irrigation needs and reduced flows make the summer months the most preferred time of year to fish the Middle Deschutes. Outside of the city limits, most river access requires a walk or hike into a small canyon. However, a little exploring will generally reward you with wildlife, scenery, and hungry trout.

Current Hatch Information

Dry Flies

Caddis – Saddle #16-18, Little Brown Stonefly #16, March Browns #12-14, October Caddis #8-10

Subsurface Flies

Caddis Pupa Nymphs (Spotted) #14, Golden Stonefly Nymph #8-10, Mayfly Nymphs (small) #18-20, Midge Larva and Pupa #18-22, October Caddis Pupa #8-10, Salmonfly Stonefly Nymph #6-10, Streamer-style fly patterns (2” to 4”) – imitating juvenile rainbow trout, whitefish, sculpin, Streamer-style fly patterns (3” to 5”) – imitating juvenile rainbow trout, whitefish, sculpin, Kokanee, Woolly Buggers