Deschutes River Fishing Report – September 26, 2026: Fall BWOs, October Caddis & Early Steelhead
Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Stimulator, Chubby Chernobyl, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Copper John, Woolly Bugger
Deschutes River Fishing Report – September 26, 2026
Current Conditions at a Glance
- Flow: 4,590 cfs (USGS Gauge 14103000 – Deschutes at Moody, 5:45 AM PDT)
- Water Temp: 58°F (14.4°C – provisional)
- Clarity: Slightly Off-Color
- Overall Rating: Good – exceptional drift boat day, wading demanding in most runs
Flow & Water Conditions
The lower Deschutes is running at 4,590 cfs this morning — elevated for late September but well within the range that drift boat anglers thrive in. Recent fall rains have bumped flows above the summer low-water norm, lending the river a slight green tinge and limiting wading options to the shallower tailouts and gravel bars. Waders should stick to inside bends and use a wading staff; the big bucket runs are pushing hard right now. Water temperature is a stellar 58°F — absolutely prime for both trout feeding activity and the first serious push of fall steelhead.
What’s Hatching
Fall has officially arrived on the Deschutes, and the hatch calendar reflects it. Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) are the story of the day — overcast skies and cooler morning temps are triggering consistent Baetis hatches in the long, flat tailouts between 10 AM and 2 PM. Look for dimpling rises in the 150–200 cfs tailout seams and approach from downstream with a long leader. October Caddis (Dicosmoecus) are beginning to show in the late afternoon — the big orange monsters that blow up even the wariest Deschutes redsides. Smaller evening caddis remain active at dusk. Little Yellow Sallies are mostly done but you may still see stragglers midday.
Top Flies
Match the hatch with confidence using these proven producers:
- Parachute Adams – BWO match, sizes 16–18; a must in the tailouts during the mid-day Baetis window
- Elk Hair Caddis – sizes 10–12 in orange/tan for October Caddis adults; size 14–16 for evening hatches
- Stimulator – orange/yellow, size 10–12; excellent October Caddis adult substitute and attractor in choppy water
- Chubby Chernobyl – tan/orange, sizes 8–10; outstanding hopper-dropper anchor with a midge or Copper John trailing
- Pheasant Tail Nymph – sizes 14–18; deadly dead-drifted just below the surface film during BWO hatches
- Copper John – red or green, sizes 14–16; indicator rig nympher’s best friend in the deeper runs
- Woolly Bugger – black/olive, sizes 4–8; swing it through the classic steelhead runs for the returning chrome
Steelhead Update
September 26th is right in the heart of prime summer/early-fall steelhead season on the lower Deschutes. Fish are stacking in the classic runs at Maupin, Heritage Flats, Locked Gate, and Mack’s Canyon. Below Sherars Falls, swing a Woolly Bugger or intruder-style pattern through the deep ledge rock runs in the early morning and evening — the fish are there. Above Sherars, the wild trout fishery is exceptional, and you may intercept a few bright steelhead pushing upstream through the canyon on their way to spawning grounds. Barbless hooks and careful handling mandatory — this is a wild run worth protecting.
Access Points
- Maupin City Park & Boat Ramp – great launch point for drift boats; walk-in access to Lower Maupin runs
- Heritage Landing – popular drift below Sherars; take-out option or short wade access
- Locked Gate (BLM Road 1200) – vehicle access to prime mid-canyon water; pack in, pack out
- Mack’s Canyon Campground – end of the road access for walk-in canyon fishing; excellent steelhead runs nearby
- Above Sherars Falls – HWY 216 river access for wade fishers; shorter floats possible with local shuttle
Hazards & Notes
- Flows at 4,590 cfs make wading treacherous — felt soles or studded wading boots and a staff are non-negotiable
- Sherars Falls is a mandatory portage — scout carefully in high water
- A Combined Angling Tag (CAT) is required for steelhead; check ODFW regulations for current season rules
- Deschutes Club water and Warm Springs tribal boundaries — know where you are
- Smoke from late-summer fires has largely cleared; air quality is good as of this writing