Crooked River Fishing Report – September 21, 2026: Elevated Flows, Midges & Nymphs Still Producing
Zebra Midge, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Copper John, Woolly Bugger, Parachute Adams
Crooked River Fishing Report – September 21, 2026
Flow: 1,310 cfs (USGS Gauge 14087400 – Crooked River below Opal Springs, near Culver) | Water Temp: 55°F | Clarity: Slightly Off | Overall: Fair
Current Conditions
The Crooked River is running elevated this morning. USGS Gauge 14087400 (below Opal Springs, near Culver) registered 1,310 cfs at 5:00 AM PDT — above the typical late-summer/fall baseline of 300–600 cfs through the Chimney Rock section. Water temperatures are holding at an excellent 55°F (12.9°C), well within the ideal range for the Crooked's resident rainbow trout. Clarity is slightly off with the elevated flows, but the cold spring-fed character of this tailwater keeps it recovering faster than any freestone stream would at similar volumes. Adaptable anglers focusing on protected water are still finding fish.
Hatches & What's Coming Off
Fall is prime midge time on the Crooked River, and elevated flows don't change that. Midge hatches occur throughout the day on this spring-fed tailwater, with peak activity typically from mid-morning into the early afternoon. At higher flows, trout slide out of the main current and stack in protected eddies, behind boulders, along undercut banks, and in the slower inside bends — this is exactly where you want to concentrate your presentations. Blue-Winged Olives are also starting their fall appearance and will draw fish toward the surface on overcast mornings. When BWOs are coming off in the slower, sheltered sections, don't overlook the dry fly — these fish eat.
Top Fly Recommendations
- Zebra Midge (#20–22, black/silver thread) — The Crooked River standard and your best bet today. Run it under a small indicator in protected eddies and slow seams. Keep the drift drag-free and natural.
- Pheasant Tail Nymph (#16–18) — Excellent all-around nymph in the protected runs and inside bends. Fish tight to the banks on a tight-line or indicator rig where trout are holding out of the main current.
- Copper John (#14–16) — Add weight and get it deep into the protected slots. Fish holding in heavy flows will eat a Copper John when it's right in front of their face.
- Woolly Bugger (#8, olive or black) — Worth stripping through the slower, deeper pools when elevated flows push trout off their usual feeding lanes. A streamer can connect with bigger fish that have moved to sheltered lies.
- Parachute Adams (#16–18) — Keep one tied on for BWO activity on overcast mornings. Fish the calmer water against the canyon walls when olives are in the air.
Best Access Points
The Chimney Rock section — the BLM Wild & Scenic corridor between Bowman Dam and Crooked River Ranch — is your best bet in elevated flow conditions, with numerous pullouts off the Crooked River Back Country Byway (BLM Road 6800). The byway parallels the river through the canyon and provides walk-in access to some of the best protected water and inside bends where fish are stacking up. Stick to the canyon walls and inside bends for the most productive wading.
Hazards & Notes
At 1,310 cfs, wading demands extra caution. Felt-sole boots or cleated wading shoes are strongly recommended. Avoid crossing in the main current — this is a fish-the-edges day, not a wade-across day. Flows on the Crooked can change quickly based on upstream irrigation operations and reservoir releases from Bowman Dam. Verify current conditions at USGS Gauge 14087400 before heading out. No seasonal closures are currently in effect on the public access corridor.