Deschutes River Fishing Report – June 2, 2026 | Caddis Explosions & Elevated Flows
Elk Hair Caddis, Stimulator, Chubby Chernobyl, Parachute Adams, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Copper John, Woolly Bugger
Deschutes River – Lower Canyon Fishing Report
June 2, 2026 | Maupin Area | Above & Below Sherars Falls
Current Conditions Summary: The lower Deschutes is running elevated at 4,030 CFS as of this morning (USGS gauge 14103000, Moody near Biggs), with a water temperature of 60°F (15.8°C). Flows are above seasonal average following late-season snowmelt and upstream releases, but the Deschutes is handling the volume with characteristic resilience. Expect slightly off-color water in the main channel with cleaner seams along the banks and behind structure. Water temp is dialed in at 60°F, fish are active, and the June caddis hatches are firing hard.
Flow & Water Conditions
- Flow: 4,030 CFS (USGS #14103000, provisional data as of 5:45 AM PDT)
- Water Temp: 60°F – prime trout activity range
- Clarity: Slightly off-color in main channel; cleaner along banks and in side channels
- Trend: Flows easing slightly from last week’s 4,380 CFS – heading in the right direction
Active Hatches
June is the month on the Deschutes, and the bugs are delivering. Caddis are the story right now – evening emergences are thick, and fish are rising aggressively in the tail-outs and slow edges as the light drops. Pale Evening Duns (PEDs) and Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) are showing on overcast afternoons, and a few early Green Drakes have been spotted in the upper canyon. Hatches can be patchy on bluebird days but turn on hard under cloud cover – keep an eye on the sky as much as the water.
Top Fly Recommendations
- Elk Hair Caddis (#14–#16) – The undisputed king right now. Dead-drift through rising fish, then swing at the end for bonus strikes as it comes tight.
- Stimulator (#12–#14) – Excellent attractor in slightly stained water; doubles as a caddis imitation and Salmonfly remnant.
- Chubby Chernobyl (#10–#12) – High-riding and visible in riffles; great dry/dropper platform at elevated flows.
- Parachute Adams (#14–#16) – Reliable during PMD and PED hatches on slower glides and inside bends.
- Pheasant Tail Nymph (#14–#18) – Nymph the deeper seams and plunge pools below Sherars Falls; fish are stacked in the slicks.
- Copper John (#14–#16) – Heavy enough to get down in elevated flows; excellent point fly on a two-nymph rig.
- Woolly Bugger (#6–#8, olive or black) – Swing the canyon runs and bank water for larger rainbows and the occasional early summer steelhead.
Best Access Points
Above Sherars Falls (Maupin Corridor): Harpham Flat, Oasis Campground, Sandy Beach, and Beavertail are all accessible. At 4,030 CFS, wading is demanding – stick to the shallow edges and fish the inside seams. Drift boats have the advantage this week; those covering water from a boat are finding the most fish.
Below Sherars Falls (Lower Canyon): Gordon Ridge, Macks Canyon, and the lower BLM canyon trail access remain open. Water in the lower canyon tends to fish slightly cleaner. The plunge pools and deep runs below the falls are loaded with rainbows; Woolly Buggers and big nymphs are producing here.
Hazards & Notices
- Wading caution: At 4,030 CFS, many traditional wading spots are too deep and fast. A wading staff is strongly recommended. Never attempt main-channel crossings at current flows.
- Boat traffic: Whitewater season is in full swing through the Maupin gorge – expect heavy raft traffic on weekends. Give boats the right of way.
- Regulations: The lower Deschutes from Pelton Dam to the Columbia is open. Catch-and-release only for steelhead; check ODFW for current trout limits and wild fish rules.
- Rattlesnakes: Warming canyon temperatures have rattlesnakes active on dry rock ledges – watch every step off-trail.
Data source: USGS National Water Information System, gauge 14103000 (provisional). Report compiled June 2, 2026. Conditions change rapidly – always verify flows before wading. Flies available at bugsnjugs.com.