Deschutes River Fishing Report – September 24, 2026: BWOs, October Caddis & Fall Steelhead Prime Time

Deschutes River – Lower Canyon Conditions: September 24, 2026

Flow: 4,560 cfs (USGS Gauge 14103000, Deschutes at Moody near Biggs — represents total lower-river flow; Maupin/above-Sherars section typically runs 10–20% lower). Water Temp: 59°F (15.0°C) as of 5:45 AM PDT — provisional. Clarity: Clear.

Overall Conditions

The lower Deschutes is fishing beautifully this Thursday morning. At 4,560 cfs out at Moody, the river is running at a healthy late-September level — expect something in the range of 3,700–4,100 cfs through the Maupin corridor. Water temp at 59°F hits the sweet spot for both trout and wild summer steelhead, which are now staging in earnest throughout the canyon. Clarity is excellent — green-blue and gin-clear in the tailouts, with just a touch of push through the deeper slots.

Hatch Activity

Fall is the Deschutes' finest hour, and right now the river knows it. Blue-Winged Olives (BWO / Baetis) are the star of the show — expect clouds of size 18–22 olives lifting off in the late morning through early afternoon, especially on overcast or lightly overcast stretches. Fish the long, glassy tailouts and shallow riffles with a downstream drift on a 12-foot leader and 6X tippet. Mahogany Duns (Paraleptophlebia, size 14–16) continue to make an appearance in the mid-morning hours along shaded canyon walls.

The October Caddis (Dicosmoecus, size 6–8) is just beginning to show — a few big rusty-orange adults are already crawling on streamside rocks in the Maupin area. Expect the hatch to build rapidly over the next two weeks, bringing even the biggest redsides up to the surface. Midges are ever-present at dawn and dusk; fish a size 20–22 cluster pattern in smooth flats when nothing else is moving.

Trout Fishing

Redside rainbow trout are in peak pre-fall feeding mode. Fish the classic riffle-to-run transitions above and below Sherars Falls, particularly the long boulder-strewn runs through the Heritage Flats and Mack's Canyon stretches. Dry-dropper rigs are your best all-day setup: float a Chubby Chernobyl (size 10–12) or Stimulator (size 8–10, orange or yellow for October Caddis imitation) above a Pheasant Tail Nymph (size 16–18) on 18–24 inches of tippet. Sub-surface nymphers should run a Copper John (size 14–16, red or gold) as a lead fly with a size 20 Zebra Midge dropper through deeper runs. Evening rises are coming alive — a Parachute Adams (size 16–18) will cover everything you see on the water.

Steelhead

September on the lower Deschutes is prime time for wild steelhead. The summer run is building, and fresh chrome is pushing through the canyon daily. Swing a Woolly Bugger (black or olive, size 4–6) or a classic intruder-style pattern through the well-known runs at Maupin City Park, Locked Gate, and the North Junction area. Fish the tailouts early and late when fish are most willing to move. Anglers are reporting consistent action on both swung flies and indicator/nymph setups; go two-handed if you have the gear — the canyon water is made for it.

Access Points & Hazards

• Maupin City Park (above Sherars) — Excellent access; wading is safe at current flows. Watch for slippery basalt shelves.
• Locked Gate / Deschutes River State Recreation Area — Walk-in access from the lower parking area. Remote and productive.
• Mack's Canyon — 24 miles below Maupin, primitive campground. Best access for the most productive lower canyon runs.
• Sherars Falls — Do NOT attempt to cross at or near the falls. Shoshone tribal dipnetting rights are active on the falls platforms — respect closures and stay well clear.
• Whitewater hazard: Sherar's Falls rapid is Class IV+. Do not float through. Portage mandatory.

Top Fly Picks

All available at bugsnjugs.com:

• Chubby Chernobyl – Size 10–12, your go-to dry/indicator for trout all day
• Elk Hair Caddis – Size 14–16, evening caddis activity and October Caddis emergence
• Stimulator – Size 8–10 orange, start matching October Caddis adults now
• Parachute Adams – Size 16–18, BWO and Mahogany Dun covers all hatches
• Pheasant Tail Nymph – Size 16–18, the anchor of any dry-dropper rig
• Copper John – Size 14–16 red/gold, fast-water searching nymph
• Zebra Midge – Size 20–22, critical dropper for slick tailouts
• Woolly Bugger – Size 4–6 black/olive, swing for steelhead at dawn and dusk

Data source: USGS gauge 14103000 (Deschutes at Moody, OR), provisional reading 2026-09-24 05:45 PDT. Report prepared by Bugs & Jugs Fly Shop.