Deschutes River Fishing Report — July 2, 2026: Caddis Heating Up, Solid Flows at 3,690 CFS

Deschutes River Fishing Report — July 2, 2026

Lower Deschutes | Maupin Area | Above & Below Sherars Falls

Current Conditions at a Glance

• Flow: 3,690 cfs (USGS Gauge 14103000 — Deschutes at Moody, as of 5:45 AM PDT)
• Water Temperature: 61°F (16.2°C)
• Clarity: Clear
• Overall Rating: Good

Conditions Overview

The lower Deschutes is fishing well heading into the July 4th week. Flows are running at a steady 3,690 cfs at the Moody gauge — a solid, wadeable level through most of the lower canyon, consistent with what anglers reported last week when conditions were described as excellent. Water clarity remains crystal clear, as expected from this tailwater fishery below Pelton Dam. At 61°F, water temps are in the upper range of the comfort zone for redsides; expect fish to be most active during the cooler bookends of the day.

July on the lower Deschutes means one thing above all else: caddis. Evening caddis flights are building in intensity as summer heat ramps up, and the hotter afternoons in the forecast for this week should push hatch activity even further. Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) continue to pop in the morning hours, offering a great dry fly bite from roughly 8–11 AM before midday heat pushes fish down. Yellow Sallies are also showing sporadically through midday. Below Sherars Falls, the lower canyon runs are holding good numbers of wild redsides, and a few early summer steelhead are beginning to work through the system.

Top Fly Recommendations

Dry Flies: This is the time to be fishing a size 14–16 Elk Hair Caddis in tan or olive — the single best evening pattern on the lower Deschutes right now, and one of our top sellers. A size 10–12 Chubby Chernobyl in tan or orange is a superb attractor and caddis imitation all in one; it also rides high on the water and makes a killer indicator for a dropper nymph. For the morning PMD window, tie on a size 16 Parachute Adams and you'll be in business. The Stimulator in yellow or orange covers Yellow Sallies and big caddis in one fly — hard to beat when fish are looking up all day.

Nymphs: When the surface bite cools off midday, go subsurface. A size 16–18 Pheasant Tail Nymph dead-drifted just off the bottom through riffle edges and tailouts is consistently productive. Pair it with a size 16 Copper John in red or copper as your anchor fly on a two-nymph rig for maximum coverage.

Best Access Points

• Maupin City Park / BLM Harpham Flat — Premier wade access, both above and below the US-197 bridge, good parking
• Beavertail Recreation Site — Excellent bank and wade access in classic lower canyon water
• Oak Springs / Locked Gate Area — Great for float anglers; watch for private land boundaries on river right
• Sherars Falls Access Road (Hwy 216) — Above and below the falls; tribal fishing areas on south bank are closed to non-tribal members

Hazards & Closures

At 3,690 cfs, wading is manageable in known runs but always demands respect — the Deschutes is a notoriously slick, rocky river and a wading staff is strongly recommended. Fire restrictions are currently in effect in the lower Deschutes Canyon (USFS/BLM); no open campfires in many zones, check current restrictions before your trip. South bank tribal fishing areas at and below Sherars Falls are closed to non-tribal anglers. No emergency fishing closures are in effect as of this report.

Flow and temperature data sourced from USGS National Water Information System, Gauge 14103000 (Deschutes River at Moody, OR), provisional data subject to revision. Hatch and conditions context informed by regional fly shop reports. Always check current Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife regulations before fishing.