Fish On!

Fall River

An angler smiles while gripping a huge Fall River rainbow trout. With a very active stocking program, this spring creek located just south of Bend provides year-round fishing opportunities.
Your Direct Line to the Water

Guide Report

Fly Rod Divider Design Detail Confluence Fly Shop Bend Oregon
12/6/2024 – For those that don’t fish the Fall during the main months of trout season due to crowds, now is certainly a good time to visit Fall River. Apart from the Lower Deschutes, the Fall is your best chance of catching larger fish (16in+). Despite less fish in the river than previous months, they are seeing less flies and will be more likely to check out your flies.

Bug activity on the Fall tends to be pretty predictable. Midges and BWO’s will almost certainly be the only bugs seen on the surface (see last report for fly suggestions). As is typical for winter fishing, nymphing will be the most productive method. For some more tips, check out our blog post on our best tips for winter fly fishing!


11/22/2024 – Fishing on Fall River has been (rather unusually) slow as of late. This first spell of frigid weather seems to have put the fish down and decreased their appetite. Try to target warmer days for a chance at a dry fly hatch or to find hungrier fish.

#18-22 Midges of any kind will work when paired with some sort of weighted nymph. Our favorite fly right now is the Jigged Crossfit Midge, which combines both of those criteria outlined above. In addition, eggs have also been producing fish more consistently than most other patterns.
General Weather
Details

About the Water

Bubbling right out of the ground, this roughly 8-mile-long spring creek travels in a northeasterly direction until it
joins the Deschutes River between the towns of Sunriver and La Pine. This spring-fed tributary is FLY FISHING
ONLY and courses gin-clear through stands of lodge-pole pine and high mountain meadow. The ever-reliable flows
of this spring creek, make it an excellent choice for walk and wade anglers when the levels of other rivers in the
region are low or in flux.

An easy 30-minute drive south of Bend, the middle and upper sections of the Fall have a good population of both
hatchery and wild rainbow trout. The stocked fish (often indistinguishable from the river’s wild rainbow trout) are
added several times a year and mingle with the other species of wild fish; brook trout, brown trout, and mountain
whitefish. The lowest section (below Fall River Falls) receives wild brown and rainbow trout from the main stem of
the Deschutes River.

As is characteristic of many spring creeks, this river is cold, clear, and meandering throughout most of its length.
Selecting fine tippet, tying good knots, and using leaders long enough to avoid spooking fish that see plenty of
anglers, is required. Beyond making good choices with your terminal tackle; fly selection, casting, and line
management skills to achieve good drifts, can be difference makers as well. Consider a half or full-day trip with
one of our guides to help you learn and understand how to apply these different spring creek strategies. There’s
really no substitute for time on the water with an expert. Guides are adept at helping you quickly recognize the
factors that impact trout behavior and grasp those techniques that will yield spring creek success.
Stop by the fly shop for a river map, advice on access, and the staff’s favorite seasonal fly pattern choices.

Dry Flies

Blue-Winged-Olives #18-20, Caddis – Saddle #16-18, Midges #18-20

Subsurface Flies

Blue-Winged-Olive Mayfly Emergers #18-20, Caddis Pupa Nymphs (Spotted) #14, Mayfly Nymphs (small) #18-20, Midge Larva and Pupa #18-22, Streamer-style fly patterns (2” to 4”) – imitating juvenile rainbow trout, whitefish, sculpin
  • SINGLE HANDED ROD: 4-5wt
  • FLY LINE: Floating
  • LEADER/TIPPET: 9’ 5x-6x Nylon tapered leader
    • 4x-6x Fluorocarbon and Nylon tippet
  • EURO-STYLE ROD: 3wt
  • TIPPET: 4x-6x Fluorocarbon tippet
All Oregon fishing licenses can be purchased online or by downloading the MyODFW app on your smart phone. An Oregon Angling License required for any and all fishing.

What To Fish For

Artwork by Tye Krueger