Crooked River Fishing Report – September 26, 2026: Elevated Flows, Midges & BWOs Producing
Zebra Midge, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Copper John, Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Woolly Bugger
Crooked River Fishing Report – September 26, 2026
Current Conditions at a Glance
- Flow: 1,280 cfs (USGS Gauge 14087400 – Crooked River below Opal Springs, 5:00 AM PDT)
- Water Temp: 55°F (12.6°C – provisional)
- Clarity: Off-Color
- Overall Rating: Fair – flows above normal; fish to the upper reach near Bowman Dam for cleaner water
Flow & Water Conditions
The Crooked River is running well above its typical late-summer baseline at 1,280 cfs — a significant bump that has pushed color into the water below the Opal Springs confluence. Fall precipitation and managed reservoir releases from Prineville Reservoir have combined to push flows to levels that are making the lower canyon section challenging. The good news: water temperature is holding at a favorable 55°F, indicating that cold tailwater from Bowman Dam is still doing its job keeping the river productive for trout. Anglers willing to explore the upper reach — the stretch from the Bowman Dam outlet down through the first mile of the Chimney Rock canyon — will find markedly cleaner water where the dam release dominates before the tributary inflows add color.
Where to Fish Right Now
Given the elevated flows and off-color conditions, concentrate your efforts in the upper Chimney Rock reach, within the first 1–2 miles below Bowman Dam. The dam’s steady cold-water release keeps this section cleaner and more fishable than the lower canyon when flows are elevated. Wade carefully — 1,280 cfs is pushing and footing is unpredictable on the cobble bottom. Stick to inside bends and the slower water along the canyon walls where trout stack up to avoid the main current seams.
What’s Hatching
The Crooked is a midge river first and foremost, and those midges are delivering even in off-color conditions. Chironomid midges hatch throughout the day, with the best action coming in concentrated pods during late morning and again in the early afternoon. Watch for subtle sipping rises in the calmer eddies and backwaters — even in colored water, trout will push into the clear lanes to feed. Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs/Baetis) are becoming more consistent as fall sets in; overcast conditions like those forecast for today trigger the best hatches between 11 AM and 2 PM. Caddis are still trickling off in the evenings, though not in the numbers seen through August. PMDs and Trico spinners have largely wrapped up for the season.
Top Flies
In off-color conditions, fish subsurface first and be ready to switch to dries when you spot rising fish:
- Zebra Midge – sizes 18–22, black/red or black/silver; your number-one confidence fly on the Crooked year-round
- Pheasant Tail Nymph – sizes 16–20; deadly just below the surface film during BWO hatches; add a split shot to get it down in higher flows
- Copper John – red or green, sizes 14–18; cuts through the current and reaches trout holding deep in the bucket water
- Parachute Adams – sizes 16–18; the go-to when BWOs are on and fish are sipping in the clear edges; versatile enough to double as a midge cluster pattern
- Elk Hair Caddis – size 14–16, tan; for the evening caddis trickle; fish it in the calmer water near the canyon walls
- Woolly Bugger – olive or black, sizes 8–10; when flows are high and visibility is off, strip a bugger through the deep pools for the bigger browns that prowl in colored water
Access Points
- Chimney Rock Trailhead (BLM) – primary access to the Chimney Rock segment; short hike to excellent water
- Cobble Rock Recreation Site – BLM managed; pull-off access to the lower Wild & Scenic reach
- Lone Pine Campground – riverside camping and direct wade access; good for overnight trips
- Lower Crooked River Ranch area – limited roadside pull-offs on the Crooked River Back Country Byway (Lower Bridge Rd); walk down to the water
- Note: The seasonal gate at Telephone Springs (limiting motorized access to the North Fork) is currently open through December 1 — no access restrictions in effect on the main stem fishery
Hazards & Notes
- Flows at 1,280 cfs are well above normal wading levels for most of this canyon — use extreme caution, especially on slick basalt ledges
- The lower canyon (below the Opal Springs confluence) will have off-color water; target the upper reach for best clarity
- The Crooked River canyon can be very warm in the afternoon — early morning or evening fishing recommended; bring plenty of water
- This is an artificial lures and flies only, catch-and-release section for trout — check ODFW current regulations before fishing
- The canyon has no cell service — let someone know your plans