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Elk Hair Caddis, Chubby Chernobyl, Stimulator, Parachute Adams, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Copper John

Deschutes River Fishing Report — June 30, 2026

Lower Deschutes | Maupin Area | Above & Below Sherars Falls

Current Conditions Overview

The lower Deschutes is fishing beautifully as we close out June. The big salmonfly and golden stonefly parades that electrify this stretch every spring have wound down, but don't let that fool you — the river is coming into its own with a diverse summer insect menu and prime trout activity. Water clarity is excellent, flows are fishable, and both rainbows and redbands are actively feeding throughout the day.

Flow & Temperature

According to the USGS gauge at Moody (gauge #14103000), the Deschutes is running at 3,720 CFS as of this morning — a solid, mid-range summer flow that puts fish in all the right places: the soft edges, tailouts, and pocket water that make this river legendary. Water temperature is reading 60.8°F (16.0°C), right in the sweet spot for aggressive trout behavior. Visibility is excellent with clear water throughout the Maupin corridor.

Hatches & What's Working

The dominant hatch right now is caddis, and it's firing hard in the evenings. Larger black caddis (#12–14) and smaller tan/olive caddis (#16–18) are both getting fish to the surface after 6 PM. Match the bigger bugs earlier in the hatch, then downsize as fish become more selective. For dry fly fishing, a Elk Hair Caddis in tan or olive is your first choice — dead drift it through feeding lanes along grassy banks and in the swirling eddies below Sherars Falls. A Chubby Chernobyl or Stimulator in orange or yellow works double-duty as an attractor and a rough stone/caddis imitation, and it's a great indicator fly if you're running a dropper.

PMD (Pale Morning Dun) hatches are consistent from about 10 AM through 1 PM. Target shaded, slower runs and sheltered eddies where fish can sip emergers without fighting current. A Parachute Adams in #16–18 is a dead-ringer for the dun, and a trailing Pheasant Tail Nymph on a 24" dropper will clean up fish working sub-surface. Early morning anglers should also try BWO patterns — the cooler morning temps are keeping blue-winged olive activity going through late June.

Nymph fishers should run a two-nymph rig with a Copper John as the anchor and a Pheasant Tail trailing behind. Focus on seams 3–5 feet deep along the faster water above and below Sherars Falls.

Best Access Points

• Maupin City Park & Beavertail Campground — excellent wading access, multiple productive runs within easy walking distance
• Above Sherars Falls — hike-in water holds larger fish with less pressure; fish the long, sweeping bends in the morning
• Below Sherars Falls (Warm Springs Reservation boundary) — remind yourself that a valid Warm Springs Tribal fishing permit is required below Sherars Falls on the east bank. Fish the west bank access legally and responsibly.
• Harpham Flat Campground — a reliable float/wade combo area with good caddis action in the evening runs

Hazards & Notes

At 3,720 CFS, the Deschutes is fast and powerful. Wading with a staff is strongly recommended, especially around Sherars Falls where footing is treacherous. Rattlesnakes are active in the canyon — watch your step on rocky trails. Also note: the non-indigenous species closure for the Deschutes remains in place for certain tributary streams. Check current ODFW regulations before fishing side channels.

Data sourced from USGS gauge 14103000 (Deschutes River at Moody). Conditions are provisional and subject to revision.

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