Deschutes River › Fishing Report

Elk Hair Caddis, Stimulator, Parachute Adams, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Zebra Midge, Copper John, Woolly Bugger

Deschutes River – Lower Canyon | October 4, 2026

Flow: 4,140 CFS (USGS Gauge 14103000 – Deschutes at Moody, current as of early this morning)  |  Water Temp: ~60°F  |  Clarity: Clear

The lower Deschutes is fishing exceptionally well for redband trout right now. Flows at 4,140 CFS give the river good volume and push, but the water is running clear — classic fall tailwater conditions. With cool mornings (lows in the low 50s) and warm afternoons pushing into the low 80s, October is doing exactly what it should on the Deschutes.

⚠️ Important Closure Notice

The lower Deschutes River is currently closed to steelhead angling and retention from the Pelton Re-regulating Dam downstream to the Columbia River confluence. This closure is in place per ODFW's Deschutes River Steelhead Management Framework in response to very poor returns of wild summer steelhead at Bonneville Dam. Please do not target or retain steelhead. Trout fishing remains open.

What's Hatching

It's October Caddis season on the Deschutes, and the big orange bugs are delivering. Expect the following hatch windows today:

• Early Morning (6:30–9:30 AM): Midges and small tan caddis in flat water. Start with nymphs.
• Late Morning to Early Afternoon (10 AM–2 PM): Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) hatch in slower glides and tailouts — size 18–22. Watch for rising fish in the film.
• Late Afternoon to Dusk (4 PM–dark): The October Caddis show. Big orange adults fluttering on the surface, and trout going absolutely nuts. This is the prime window of the day.

Golden stonefly nymphs are also active all day in the substrate — don't leave them out of a tandem rig.

Top Flies

From the Bugs-n-Jugs fly box, here's what we'd load up with today:

• Elk Hair Caddis (size 10–14, orange/tan) — The October Caddis workhorse. Skate it, let it swing, or dead-drift it through the seam. This is your go-to dry this time of year.
• Stimulator (size 10–12, orange) — Another great October Caddis imitation. Great for skating across slower currents in the last hour of light.
• Parachute Adams (size 18–22) — The BWO window from 10 AM to 2 PM is when this fly shines. Match it to whatever size baetis is hatching.
• Pheasant Tail Nymph (size 16–20) — Drop it below an indicator in the 3–5 ft depth range during morning nymph sessions. Irresistible to feeding redbands.
• Zebra Midge (size 20–22) — Open your morning session with a Zebra Midge in the slower, flat water. Trout are sipping tiny midges before the sun hits the water.
• Copper John (size 12–16) — An excellent point fly in a tandem nymph rig. Gets down fast and imitates golden stonefly and attractor nymphs effectively.
• Woolly Bugger (size 6–10, olive or black) — Swing it through deeper pools, especially in the early morning. Large redbands are aggressive in fall.

Best Access Points – Maupin Area

• Heritage Landing (Maupin) – Easy river access, good parking. Start here for the evening caddis hatch.
• Harpham Flat – Classic lower Deschutes campsite and walk-in access with excellent runs and tailouts.
• Beavertail – A staple for fly fishers targeting mid-canyon redband trout. Productive nymphing water.
• Above and Below Sherars Falls – Both sections are worth working. The canyon below Sherars is remote, less pressure, and holds large fish.

Hazards & Notes

At 4,140 CFS, wading requires caution — use a wading staff, wear a wading belt, and stick to inside bends and gravel bars. The main current push is significant. Float traffic is minimal for this time of year. The whitefish are beginning to spawn, creating an egg bite in tailouts below riffles — drop a small bead or egg pattern below a nymph to capitalize. Terrestrials (hoppers, ants) can still work during warm midday hours along grassy, undercut banks.

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