🎣 Fishing Reports
Daily conditions, flows, and hatch reports for Central Oregon fly fishing waters.
Crooked River Report – June 21, 2026: Flows Surge to 1,140 CFS – Proceed with Caution
The Crooked River below Bowman Dam has surged to 1,140 CFS — well above the 250 CFS reported just two days ago — due to irrigation season releases from Prineville Reservoir. Wading is dangerous; fish sheltered bank water with heavy nymphs and streamers. Water temp remains cold at 55°F.
Crooked River Fishing Report – June 20, 2026: Elevated Flows, Cold Water & Midges on Tap
The Crooked River below Bowman Dam is running elevated at 1,210 CFS with water temps at a fish-friendly 56°F. Clarity is slightly off-color — nymphing with Zebra Midges and Pheasant Tails is the move today, with caddis windows possible in the warmer midday hours.
Crooked River Fishing Report – June 19, 2026: Elevated Flows, Cold Temps, Midges Dominant
The Crooked River tailwater is running elevated at 1,310 CFS (gauge below Opal Springs) but the water temp is a cold, crisp 55F — excellent for trout. Expect challenging wading; focus on bank seams and soft pockets. Zebra Midges and Copper Johns are your best bets right now.
Crooked River Fishing Report — June 18, 2026: High Water Warning — Flows Surge to 1,270 CFS
The Crooked River tailwater has surged from 180 CFS to 1,270 CFS in less than a week, almost certainly due to increased Bowman Dam releases. Wading is dangerous and traditional dry fly fishing is off the table — bank fishing with Woolly Buggers and heavy nymphs is the move today. Water temps remain a healthy 55.4°F; check flows before you go.
Crooked River Fishing Report – June 17, 2026 | Elevated Flows, Perfect Temps, Caddis & PMDs Active
Irrigation flows have pushed the Crooked up to 1,210 CFS, but Opal Springs is keeping water temperatures at a trout-perfect 56°F. Caddis and PMDs are actively hatching — fish the eddies and bank-side slack water with Zebra Midges, Pheasant Tail Nymphs, and Elk Hair Caddis. Wading is challenging; bank fishing and drift boat access recommended.
Crooked River Fishing Report — June 16, 2026: Tailwater Running Clear with Active Caddis and PMD Hatches
The Crooked River tailwater below Bowman Dam is fishing in excellent shape at approximately 180 cfs with gin-clear water at a perfect 55.9°F. Caddis and PMD hatches are active and building, with evening surface action picking up noticeably. Elk Hair Caddis, Zebra Midges, and Pheasant Tail Nymphs are the flies to reach for.
Crooked River Fishing Report – June 15, 2026 | Elevated Flows — Nymph Deep, Watch for Afternoon Risers
The Crooked is running high at 1,290 CFS due to irrigation releases from Bowman Dam, with slightly off-color water — but an ideal water temp of 55°F keeps fish active and feeding. Go deep with Zebra Midges and Copper Johns, and watch for PMD risers in afternoon back-eddies.
Crooked River Fly Fishing Report — June 14, 2026: Steady Tailwater, Active Caddis & PMDs
The Crooked tailwater below Bowman Dam is fishing well at 183 CFS with crystal-clear water. Caddis and PMD hatches are active, and midges are ever-present — an Elk Hair Caddis in the evening or a Zebra Midge nymph under an indicator will find fish. Note: ODFW conducting electrofishing survey June 15–18.
Crooked River Fishing Report – June 13, 2026: Elevated Flows, Seek Slower Water
The Crooked River is running elevated at 1,280 CFS with perfect 55.4°F water temps — fish are there, just hugging the slow water. Target back-eddies and inside bends with a Zebra Midge or Copper John nymph rig; wading the main channel is not recommended at current flows.
Crooked River Fishing Report — June 12, 2026
The Crooked is experiencing a major flow spike — up to 1,180 CFS from 180 CFS just one week ago due to elevated irrigation releases from Bowman Dam. Wading is difficult and conditions are off-color. Water temp is a healthy 55.4°F; fish are present but pushed to the banks. Target soft water with Woolly Buggers and heavy nymphs.
Crooked River Fishing Report — June 11, 2026 | High Irrigation Flows, Nymphing the Key
The Crooked River is running elevated at 1,300 CFS due to irrigation releases from Prineville Reservoir, with off-color water through the lower canyon. Water temperature is a healthy 55°F. Nymphing with Zebra Midges, Pheasant Tails, and Copper Johns in sheltered lies is the most productive approach until flows settle.
Crooked River Fishing Report – June 10, 2026 | Blown Out – Peak Irrigation Flows
The Crooked River below Bowman Dam is blown out at 1,260 cfs on June 10th due to peak irrigation releases from Prineville Reservoir — wading is dangerous and conditions are unfishable. Water temp holds at 55°F. Skip the canyon today; check USGS gauge 14087400 and return when flows drop below 200 cfs, likely in late July.
Crooked River Fishing Report – June 9, 2026
The Crooked River tailwater is running elevated this week at 1,200 CFS (gauge below Opal Springs) with water temps at 55°F. Nymphing with Zebra Midges and Pheasant Tail Nymphs is most effective; the section directly below Bowman Dam holds the clearest water and best wade access during high-flow periods.
Crooked River Fly Fishing Report – June 8, 2026: Major Dam Release — Flows Blown Out at 1,310 CFS
The Crooked River below Bowman Dam is blown out at 1,310 CFS following a major irrigation-season dam release — roughly 5–7× normal flow. Wading is not recommended and clarity is turbid. Monitor the USGS gauge (14087400) daily; once flows drop toward 300–400 CFS, midge and caddis action should return quickly.
Crooked River Fishing Report – June 7, 2026: High Water Advisory – Nymph Deep, Fish the Edges
The Crooked River is running high at 1,200 CFS with off-color water — wading is dangerous and conditions are Poor. Adaptable anglers can still find redband rainbows in eddy seams and behind boulders. Go deep with Zebra Midges, Copper Johns, and Woolly Buggers, and note the active fire restriction and bull trout advisory.