Deschutes River Fishing Report — June 16, 2026: Caddis Season Peaks as Flows Drop to Prime Summer Levels
Elk Hair Caddis, Chubby Chernobyl, Stimulator, Parachute Adams, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Copper John
Deschutes River — Lower River Report | June 16, 2026
Flow: 3,750 cfs (USGS Gauge 14103000, Deschutes at Moody — as of 6:45 AM PDT) | Water Temp: 64.8°F | Clarity: Clear
Good news, Deschutes faithful: the river is dropping. After pushing 4,380 cfs just two weeks ago, the Moody gauge has pulled back to 3,750 cfs and the trend continues downward — right on time as Central Oregon settles into its peak summer rhythm. Flows at this level are ideal for drift boats and experienced wading anglers who know the river's edges. The water is running gin-clear with excellent visibility, and at 64.8°F the trout are active and feeding confidently throughout the day.
Hatches & Conditions
June on the lower Deschutes is nothing short of spectacular, and this week is no exception. The big story right now is caddis — and we mean serious caddis. Evening hatches along the Maupin corridor are so thick that anglers are reporting clouds of bugs from bank to bank at dusk. If you're walking the banks after 6 PM without a buff over your face, you'll be eating bugs. Fish are visibly rising in flats and tailouts in the last two hours of light — this is dry fly heaven.
The Little Yellow Sally stonefly (size 14–16) has stepped into the spotlight as the golden stones wrap up their season. Look for yellow sally egg-laying flights on warm afternoons. The females carry a distinctive red egg sac, so tie your Stimulators with a red butt. A few drowned adult stones are still tumbling through the deeper hydraulics below Sherars Falls, where the largest trout in the system are gorging subsurface — if your dry gets pulled under by a whirlpool, let it sink and swim. It may be the best thing that happens to you all day.
On overcast days, PMDs and Green Drakes are making strong showings. Hatches are inconsistent in full sun but can be exceptional under cloud cover — keep a dry fly rod rigged and ready whenever the sky grays over.
Top Fly Recommendations
- Elk Hair Caddis (#14–16) — the must-have for evening rises; fish it flush in the film or skating lightly across the surface
- Chubby Chernobyl (#10–12) — excellent attractor and strike indicator for fast water above Sherars Falls
- Stimulator (#14–16, yellow) — deadly Yellow Sally imitation; tie it with a red tag for the egg-laying females
- Parachute Adams (#14–16) — the go-to on cloudy days when PMDs and Green Drakes are popping
- Pheasant Tail Nymph (#14–18) — beneath the surface caddis action, PTNs continue to produce steady fish throughout the day
- Copper John (#14–16) — heavy fast-water nymph for pocket water reads above and below Sherars Falls
Access Points & Hazards
Above Sherars Falls (Maupin area): Harpham Flat and Oak Springs off Hwy 216 are productive entry points with good parking. At 3,750 cfs wading is manageable but demands respect — felt-soled boots with studs or carbide tips are non-negotiable on the Deschutes' slippery basalt. Stay knee-deep and always face upstream.
Below Sherars Falls: The lower canyon via Hwy 30 near Maupin offers excellent drift boat put-ins. The Heritage Landing and Maupin City Park boat ramp are the primary access points. Critical hazard: Sherars Falls is a mandatory portage — no exceptions. Scout river left well in advance.
No known closures in the Maupin reach as of this report. The river is open year-round through this section. Tribal fishing areas below the reservation boundary are closed to non-tribal anglers — always check your ODFW regulations before launching.
Gauge data: USGS NWIS Site 14103000 (Deschutes River at Moody, near Biggs, OR). Provisional data subject to revision.