Deschutes River Report – June 21, 2026: Evening Caddis Blitz, 3,720 CFS, Clear Water
Elk Hair Caddis, Stimulator, Chubby Chernobyl, Parachute Adams, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Zebra Midge
Deschutes River Fly Fishing Report
Date: June 21, 2026 | Flow: 3,720 CFS | Water Temp: 63°F | Clarity: Clear
Current Conditions
The lower Deschutes is fishing beautifully this Father's Day weekend. The river is running at 3,720 CFS (USGS Gauge 14103000, Moody) with crystal-clear water and a water temperature of 63°F — right in the prime zone for aggressive redside rainbows. Flows are slightly below average for this time of year thanks to a lighter-than-normal snowpack, but that translates to excellent wading stability and outstanding dry fly visibility along the canyon walls. Expect afternoon highs pushing into the upper 80s to low 90s through the week, so early mornings and evenings are your prime windows.
Hatch Activity
The caddis hatch is the main event right now. Both Little Sister Sedges and Spotted Sedge caddis are blanketing the river surface from roughly 6 PM until dark, and fish are keyed in hard. Expect explosive rises along foam lines, seams, and softer water near the banks. Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) are producing solid morning dry fly action from 9 AM to noon, and Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) are appearing sporadically during overcast stretches mid-morning. Remnant Golden Stoneflies are still trickling off early in the morning — worth having a large attractor on during the first hour of light. Midges remain a consistent backup through midday.
Top Fly Recommendations
All of the following patterns are available at bugsnjugs.com:
- Elk Hair Caddis (#16–18) — The go-to evening dry right now. Dead-drift along foam lines before skittering. A must-have in your box.
- Stimulator (#10–14) — Deadly during morning stonefly activity and as a caddis attractor through the evening hatch. The big profile draws aggressive strikes.
- Chubby Chernobyl (#10–12) — Run this as a hopper/attractor dropper rig midday. Pair with a Pheasant Tail Nymph for a killer two-fly setup.
- Parachute Adams (#16–20) — Excellent PMD and BWO imitation for morning risers. Visible and versatile, a true all-day workhorse.
- Pheasant Tail Nymph (#16–18) — Fish deep in fast runs and riffles before hatches kick off. Weighted and dead-drifted through rocky slots.
- Zebra Midge (#20–22) — Effective midday when the big hatches pause. Fish it on a long 5X–6X tippet in slower tailout sections.
Best Access Points
Above Sherars Falls (Maupin area): The Deschutes River Access area at Maupin provides easy walk-wade access to prime canyon water. The BLM river corridor offers miles of public access — Beavertail, Nena, and Macks Canyon campgrounds are excellent staging points downstream. Below Sherars Falls offers wilder, less-pressured water requiring more hiking. The lower canyon from Sherars Bridge to Macks Canyon is a 25-mile floater's paradise through classic riffles and pocket water along the basalt cliffs. Be mindful of Columbia River Treaty Tribe fishing operations near Sherars Falls, where traditional dip-netting may be active.
Hazards & Notes
With afternoon temps expected to hit 90°F Monday, fish the bookend hours — early morning and evening — to protect both yourself and the fish. Trout stressed in 65°F+ water should be released quickly with minimal handling. Watch for rattlesnakes on rocky canyon trails and bring plenty of water. No current closures on the lower Deschutes. Summer steelhead season is open — keep an eye on early-run fish entering from the Columbia.
Flow and temperature data sourced from USGS Gauge 14103000 (Deschutes River at Moody, near Biggs, OR). Report prepared by Bugs N Jugs Fly Shop — June 21, 2026.