Crooked River Fishing Report – September 24, 2026: Elevated Flows, Midges & BWOs Producing in Soft Water

Crooked River – Below Bowman Dam Conditions: September 24, 2026

Flow: 1,280 cfs (USGS Gauge 14087400, Crooked River below Opal Springs near Culver — reflects end-of-irrigation-season release volumes from Prineville Reservoir). Water Temp: 55°F (12.7°C) as of 5:00 AM PDT — provisional. Clarity: Off-Color.

Overall Conditions

The Crooked River below Bowman Dam is carrying elevated flows at 1,280 cfs — significantly above the 150–400 cfs sweet spot that makes this tailwater one of Central Oregon's premier technical fisheries. Irrigation-season releases from Prineville Reservoir are winding down but haven't yet stepped back to fall levels. ODFW and local shop reports from the past few weeks confirm that flows have been running high through late summer, with a meaningful drop expected as September progresses. At 1,280 cfs, wading the classic upper section near Bowman Dam is difficult and conditions are off-color in the main channel, but fish are absolutely still there — they've simply relocated to softer water.

Water temperature at 55°F (12.7°C) is excellent for rainbow trout metabolism and will have fish actively feeding throughout the day, particularly in the 10 AM–2 PM window. Don't let the elevated flow discourage you — fishable water exists if you know where to look.

Where to Fish at High Flows

With 1,280 cfs pushing through the canyon, focus your efforts on three types of water: inside seams along gravel bars where current breaks and fish stack up; large back-eddies behind boulders and cliff walls that create foam-lined soft patches; and slower runs along the canyon walls where trout tuck out of the main current. The first 3–4 miles below Bowman Dam (the catch-and-release section) typically holds the best fish density — work the bankside structure carefully with a high-stick nymph rig.

Hatch Activity

Midges are the daily bread of the Crooked River and are active around the clock at this time of year — look for size 20–24 chironomids clustering near the surface in slower eddies from mid-morning onward. Blue-Winged Olives (Baetis, size 18–22) are beginning to hatch reliably in the early afternoon as water temps rise — overcast days will produce the best surface activity. A scattered Pale Morning Dun hatch is still possible in calmer pockets. Scuds (freshwater shrimp) are ever-present in this tailwater and are a staple in any nymph rig throughout the season.

Fly Tactics

At elevated flows, go heavy and go deep. Lead with a Copper John (size 14, red or chartreuse) as your point fly — it'll cut through the current and get your rig down fast. Trail a Pheasant Tail Nymph (size 16–18) 10–14 inches back as your primary imitation. Your midge dropper — a Zebra Midge (size 20–22, black/silver) — should run off the bend of the Pheasant Tail on 6X fluorocarbon. Use a large, highly visible indicator to track your drift in the faster water, and don't hesitate to pile on split shot.

On any soft water or back-eddy you find, slow down and fish a Parachute Adams (size 18–20) during the BWO window — fish will come up if the hatch is on and they're protected from the main flow. A size 10–12 Elk Hair Caddis can work as a searching dry in the softer channels. If you're looking for big browns in the deeper slots, strip a Woolly Bugger (olive or black, size 6–8) through the slower pools — the Crooked River holds some impressive fish that respond to streamers during turbid conditions.

Access Points & Notes

• Bowman Dam Trailhead — Upper access to the catch-and-release zone. A short trail leads to the best tailwater section. Park at the dam; wade downstream with care.
• Crooked River Ranch / Lone Pine Road — Several pull-offs along Lone Pine Road provide walk-in access to the mid-canyon section (miles 3–6 below the dam).
• Highway 27 (Ochoco Highway) — Multiple informal pull-offs near Terrebonne area for the lower section.
• Wading hazard: 1,280 cfs makes wading treacherous. Use a wading staff, felt-soled or studded boots, and never turn your back on the current. Consider fishing from the bank in many spots.
• Regulations: The upper section (Bowman Dam downstream ~4 miles) is artificial lures/flies only, catch-and-release for trout. Check current ODFW regulations before fishing.

Outlook

Flows are expected to drop meaningfully over the next 1–3 weeks as irrigation season concludes and Prineville Reservoir managers reduce releases. When this river drops back below 400 cfs, it transforms into one of the finest dry-fly tailwaters in the Pacific Northwest — bookmark it now and plan your trip accordingly. BWO season on the Crooked at low flows is absolutely world-class.

Top Fly Picks

All available at bugsnjugs.com:

• Copper John – Size 14 red/chartreuse, your heavy anchor nymph in fast water
• Pheasant Tail Nymph – Size 16–18, primary Baetis/mayfly imitation
• Zebra Midge – Size 20–22 black/silver, essential Crooked River midge dropper
• Parachute Adams – Size 18–20, covers BWO surface activity in soft water
• Elk Hair Caddis – Size 12–14, searching dry for calmer pockets and channels
• Woolly Bugger – Size 6–8 olive/black, big-fish streamer for turbid conditions

Data source: USGS Gauge 14087400 (Crooked River below Opal Springs, near Culver, OR), provisional reading 2026-09-24 05:00 PDT. Report prepared by Bugs & Jugs Fly Shop.