Deschutes River › Fishing Report

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

Deschutes River Daily Fishing Report — June 4, 2026

Lower Deschutes | Maupin Area | Above & Below Sherars Falls

📊 Current Conditions at a Glance

• Flow: 3,860 CFS (USGS Gauge 14103000 – Deschutes at Moody, near Biggs)
• Water Temp: 59.7°F (15.4°C) — prime trout feeding range
• Clarity: Clear
• Overall Conditions: Good

🌊 Flow & Water Conditions

The lower Deschutes is flowing at a healthy 3,860 CFS as of this morning — slightly down from last weeks 4,380 CFS and right in the sweet spot for June. Water clarity is excellent throughout the canyon, running gin-clear as is typical for this tailwater system. The 59.7°F water temperature is ideal, keeping trout active both in nymph lanes and rising to dry flies during hatch windows. Wading anglers should exercise caution in faster runs and pocket water, but most gravel bars and inside bends are approachable. Floating anglers will have a great time covering water from Maupin to Locked Gate or Heritage Landing.

🪲 Hatch Report

June is arguably the best dry-fly month on the Deschutes, and this year is living up to the billing. The Salmonfly (Pteronarcys californica) hatch has largely moved upstream from Maupin — the big bugs are now concentrated above Shitike Creek — but straggler stones are still dropping eggs in the early evenings and fish remember them. The real headline act right now is the Golden Stonefly (Calineuria californica), which is hatching in earnest through the Maupin canyon. Expect adults along the banks and in streamside vegetation throughout the day, with the best dry-fly action occurring late morning through early afternoon and again in the evening hours.

PMD (Pale Morning Dun) mayflies are also beginning to emerge, offering technical dry-fly opportunities during midday. Caddis activity picks up as the sun dips below the canyon walls — evening hatches of Little Sister Caddis are producing strong surface feeding. Nymphing throughout the day with golden stone nymphs and PMD emergers will keep your line tight between hatch windows.

🪰 Top Fly Recommendations

All patterns available at bugsnjugs.com:

• Chubby Chernobyl (#6–#8, yellow/tan) — the perfect Golden Stone attractor; float it tight to the bank in riffles and tailouts
• Stimulator (#8–#10, orange/yellow) — outstanding all-day dry fly for the stonefly hatch; also doubles as a PMD attractor
• Elk Hair Caddis (#14–#16, tan/olive) — essential for the evening caddis flights; skitter or dead-drift in riffles
• Parachute Adams (#14–#16) — versatile mayfly imitation for technical PMD risers; effective in slower, smoother runs
• Pheasant Tail Nymph (#14–#18) — deadly dropper below any dry fly; PMD nymphs are active all day in the gravel runs
• Copper John (#14–#16, red or green) — heavy enough to get to the bottom in fast runs; excellent point fly in a two-nymph rig

📍 Best Access Points

• Maupin City Park / Beavertail: Easy bank access, great evening caddis water above and below town
• Above Sherars Falls: Hike the BLM trail west of Maupin for less-pressured pocket water — excellent golden stone dry-fly water
• Below Sherars Falls (Locked Gate area): Float or hike-in access; this stretch holds large redsides and sees less pressure
• Heritage Landing (lower canyon): Excellent float takeout with big flat riffles holding fish on the PMD hatch

⚠️ Hazards & Notices

• Flows at 3,860 CFS make wading moderately challenging — felt soles and a wading staff strongly recommended in fast runs
• Rattlesnakes are active in the canyon — watch your step on dry, rocky banks and trails
• The Deschutes Canyon is a fire-prone area — no campfires during fire season (June 1 – Oct 31) in most BLM-managed sections
• A valid Oregon fishing license is required; steelhead regulations apply below the deadline at the mouth
• Protect native redband trout — wild fish are the resource, please handle carefully and release quickly

Flow data sourced from USGS gauge 14103000 (Deschutes River at Moody, near Biggs, OR). Water temperature provisional, subject to revision. Report prepared June 4, 2026.

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