Lower Deschutes River Fishing Report – May 16, 2026: Caddis Taking Over, Elevated Flows Fishable
Elk Hair Caddis, Chubby Chernobyl, Stimulator, Parachute Adams, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Copper John
Lower Deschutes River Conditions — May 16, 2026
Flow: 3,720 cfs (USGS Gauge 14103000, Deschutes at Moody) | Water Temp: 57°F | Clarity: Slightly Off-Color
It’s game time on the Lower Deschutes. Flows are running elevated at 3,720 cfs at the Moody gauge as snowpack continues to melt into the system, but don’t let the numbers scare you off — the fish are eating and the hatches are firing. Water temperature is sitting at a comfortable 57°F, which has the Redband trout active and opportunistic throughout the day.
What’s Hatching
The big story right now is caddis, and lots of it. Salmonflies are also present in the system — guides are spotting egg-layers — but the fish are keyed heavily on caddis and largely ignoring the big stonefly patterns on the surface. That said, don’t leave your stonefly dries at home: running a caddis pattern off a Chubby Chernobyl as a double-dry rig is one of the most productive setups going right now. Green Drakes are also on the water but fish are eating them subsurface rather than on top.
Top Fly Recommendations
From the Bugs & Jugs fly bench:
- Elk Hair Caddis (sizes #14–#16) — the bread and butter right now. Don’t be on the water without a dozen of these.
- Chubby Chernobyl (sizes #6–#8) — use as your attractor/indicator in a double-dry rig with a caddis trailer.
- Stimulator (sizes #6–#8, gold/yellow) — works as a stonefly imitation and attractor dry when fish look up.
- Parachute Adams (sizes #14–#16) — solid searching pattern during lulls in the caddis activity.
- Pheasant Tail Nymph (sizes #14–#16) — dead-drifted deep, outstanding when fish key on subsurface drake nymphs.
- Copper John (sizes #14–#16, red/green) — a weighted nymph that gets down fast in elevated flows; skip the hot-orange bead version — fish want natural looks right now.
Strategy
Start your day nymphing with stonefly and caddis patterns — fish are holding in mid-depth runs and responding well. Move to a dry-dropper setup by midday as caddis activity picks up. Switch to a full dry fly rig in the evening when caddis are heavy on the surface and risers become easy to spot. The best dry fly action has been reported in the upper portions of the day float, from Trout Creek down to South Junction. As you approach Maupin, fish become more selective, so downsize your tippet and pattern size.
Best Access Points
- Trout Creek Campground — prime boat launch for the day float; wade access above and below the ramp
- South Junction — wade access at the upper end of the Maupin day stretch
- Harpham Flats / Heritage Landing (Maupin) — take-out for day floats; wade the nearby riffles and runs
- Sherars Falls — wade access below the falls; use caution on the slippery basalt
Hazards & Closures
Flows are elevated — wade carefully and know your limits. Wading staff and cleated wading boots are strongly recommended. No current closures on the lower river. Note: the upper Deschutes (Benham Falls to Little Lava Lake) remains closed through May 21, 2026 — stick to the lower river. Always verify current regulations at ODFW before heading out.
Flow data: USGS Gauge 14103000, Deschutes River at Moody, as of 5:45 AM PDT May 16, 2026 (provisional). Water temp from same gauge. Report compiled by Bugs & Jugs, Maupin, OR.