Deschutes River Fishing Report — June 28, 2026: Record Low Flows & Caddis Bonanza
Elk Hair Caddis, Chubby Chernobyl, Parachute Adams, Stimulator, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Copper John, Woolly Bugger
Deschutes River Fishing Report — June 28, 2026
Lower Deschutes | Above & Below Sherars Falls | Maupin Area
USGS Gauge 14103000 (Deschutes at Moody): 3,690 cfs as of this morning — the lowest recorded flow for this date in the 129-year history of this gauge. The long-term median for late June is 5,000 cfs. Water temperature: 60°F (15.6°C) — still in comfortable range for trout, though approaching the threshold where Hoot Owl restrictions may come into play if heat returns.
The silver lining to these historically low flows? Crystal-clear water and exceptional dry fly visibility. Trout are actively feeding on the surface, and the cooling front that rolled through Thursday night has brought cloud cover and the prospect of rain through the weekend — ideal conditions for late-June mayfly hatches.
What's Hatching
Caddis are the main event and have been all month. Mornings bring excellent surface action on spent/dead caddis along the edges — fish are lining up to eat the spent adults from the prior evening's egg-laying flights. Trim the hackle off the belly of an Elk Hair Caddis or splay the wings out for a killer spent imitation. Evening caddis action picks back up intensely after 5 PM, with egg-laying females diving and trout going wild.
Mixed in with the caddis, Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) and Pale Evening Duns (PEDs) are hatching mid-day — active from roughly 10 AM onward under today's overcast conditions. Blue Winged Olives (BWOs) in size 18 are also coming off; drop to 6X tippet for these tiny gems. A Parachute Adams in size 16–18 covers the PMD/BWO hatch well. Yellow Sallies are winding down but still worth having — a Stimulator in yellow or orange will still turn heads.
Nymphing mid-day? Run a larger stonefly nymph as your anchor with a Pheasant Tail Nymph or Copper John as a dropper. Swing soft hackles or caddis pupa patterns in the afternoons as the pupae begin rising through the water column.
Top Flies for Today
- Elk Hair Caddis (size 14–16, tan/olive) — mornings and evenings
- Chubby Chernobyl (size 10–12) — great attractor/dropper platform all day
- Parachute Adams (size 16–18) — mid-day PMD/BWO hatch
- Stimulator (size 14, yellow/orange) — Yellow Sally imitation, riffle water
- Pheasant Tail Nymph (size 14–16) — mid-day nymphing dropper
- Copper John (size 14–16) — deep nymph anchor in faster runs
- Woolly Bugger (olive/black, size 6–8) — swing for early steelhead
Best Access Points
Above Sherars Falls: The Maupin city park put-in and Heritage Landing offer excellent wade access into the upper canyon. Hike downriver from the bridge for solitude. Below Sherars Falls: Mack's Canyon Campground and the Deschutes River State Recreation Area at the mouth provide superb wade access. Float trips from Maupin to Mack's Canyon are the classic route at 2–3 days; expect more technical navigation at these low flows — rocks normally washed over are now exposed, particularly at the upper canyon rapids.
Hazards & Notices
- Record low water: Wade carefully — exposed rocks in rapids create more technical navigation. Float anglers should scout unfamiliar drops.
- Potential Hoot Owl restrictions: ODFW may impose midday fishing closures if water temps approach 70°F. This weekend's cooling trend should provide a short reprieve, but check ODFW before heading out.
- Blue-green algae: Lake Billy Chinook (upstream source) has an advisory, but the lower Deschutes River itself currently has NO health warning. Bring fresh drinking water for dogs.
- Early steelhead: Steelhead may begin entering the river — a swung Woolly Bugger is worth a few casts in deeper runs.
Flow data: USGS Gauge 14103000 (Deschutes River at Moody, near Biggs, OR). Water temp provisional and subject to revision.