The Lower Deschutes River Oregon boasts some of Oregon's finest fly fishing for rainbow trout. Known locally as Redsides, these native fish grow thick shouldered and extremely powerful for their size. Averaging 14-16 inches, and topping out around 21 inches, these unique rainbow trout are notorious for their strength, often running harder and jumping higher than any rainbow trout in any other Western rivers.
Boat in: Warmsprings to Trout Creek – 3 anglers/boat max.
Distance from Bend: 1 hour 15 minutes.
Length of day: 8 plus hours.
Other needs: shuttle fees, boater's passes, tribal permits.
Limit: 9 anglers. 3/boat. 3 boats
Wading: semi challenging
Rods/Reels: 4-6 wt
Flies: Dry flies: Elk hair caddis – sz. 16, Parachute Adams – sz.16-18, Nymphs: Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, caddis pupas – all size 14-20.
Leaders: 3-5X
Walk in 1: Mecca area
Distance from Bend: 1 hour 15 minutes.
Length of day: 8 plus hours.
Other needs: none
Limit: 9 anglers
Wading: semi challenging
Rods/Reels: 4-6 wt
Flies: Dry flies: Elk hair caddis – sz. 16, Parachute Adams – sz.16-18, Nymphs: Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, caddis pupas – all size 14-20.
Leaders: 3-5X
Walk in 2: South Junction
Distance from Bend: 1 hour 30 minutes.
Length of day: 8 plus hours.
Other needs: none
Limit: 6 anglers
Wading: semi challenging
Rods/Reels: 4-6 wt
Flies: Dry flies: Elk hair caddis – sz. 16, Parachute Adams – sz.16-18, Nymphs: Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, caddis pupas – all size 14-20.
Leaders: 3-5X
Fly fishing with in steam canyon walls, for wild rainbow trout, bull trout and brown trout. Dry fly and nymph fishing. Rugged hiking and wading on the most sections. Trout average 10 inches, with rainbows and browns over 20 inches, with some bull trout and brown over 24 inches.
Walk in : Bend to Billy Chinook
Distance from Bend: 15 minutes to 45 minutes
Length of day: 8 plus hours.
Other needs: this is for agile and health anglers only. Tough hiking in and out of the canyon.
Limit: 6 anglers
Wading: semi challenging – very challenging access
Rods/Reels: 4-6 wt
Flies: Dry flies: Elk hair caddis – sz. 16, Parachute Adams – sz.16-18, Nymphs: Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, caddis pupas – all size 14-20.
Leaders: 3-5X
The heads waters of the Deschutes, while less well known than sections downstream, ranges in character from placid elbows to wild whitewater. Spring creek in character, this section of the Deschutes meanders through a pine forest, with lush meadows, creating many deep productive pools. Rainbows and brook trout, with small average size, are the main focus. Rainbows and brook trout over 20 inches are caught nearly every day, but are not the norm. Some waters closer to town have brown trout over 24 inches.
Walk in : Little Lava Lake to Bend
Distance from Bend: 15 minutes to 45 minutes
Length of day: 8 plus hours.
Other needs: none
Limit: 8 anglers
Wading: easy to moderate
Rods/Reels: 3-5 wt
Flies: Dry flies: Elk hair caddis – sz. 16, Parachute Adams – sz.16-18, and attractors: Royal Wulff etc. Nymphs: Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, caddis pupas – all size 14-20.
Leaders: 3-5
The Fall River emerges from several headwater springs and flows crystal clear through beautiful stands of lodgepole and ponderosa pine. Above the falls the river produces stunning, native rainbow trout in the 8-20 inch range, with some fish over 20 inches. Because the river is spring fed the water temperature stays fairly constant year-round, making for excellent hatches in all four seasons. Dry fly fishing can be superb, particularly on mild, cloudy days. Fly fishing here can be on the technical side because of the water clarity, and it's generally best to sight-fish rather than blind cast to good spots. This is truly a beautiful place to fish, check it out and see for yourself.
Walk in : Hatchery, Tubes, Campground and road
Distance from Bend: 30 minutes
Length of day: 8 plus hours.
Other needs: none
Limit: 8 anglers
Wading: easy to moderate
Rods/Reels: 3-5 wt
Flies: Dry flies: Elk hair caddis – sz. 16, Parachute Adams – sz.16-18, Nymphs: Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, caddis pupas – all size 14-20.
Leaders: 3-5X
The Metolius River is unique in many ways, but it is especially unique in that it supports healthy populations of two native trout species, rainbow trout and bull trout. The Metolius is one of the last remaining habitats for the threatened Bull trout, which grow large (up to 15 pounds) in this pristine watershed. In fact, recent population surveys indicate that the Bull trout population is increasing in the Metolius, a testament to the excellent water quality and habitat that characterize this river. Fishing for Bull trout is generally best in late fall, winter, and early spring when the fish feed aggressively on whatever they can fit in their mouths. Bull trout will eat anything from the largest streamer patterns to small nymphs, but subsurface flies are generally the key. Bring a stout rod and big fish skills if you hope to land one of these brutes.
Walk in : Camp grounds and road access
Distance from Bend: 45 minutes
Length of day: 8 plus hours.
Other needs: none
Limit: 10 anglers
Wading: moderate to challenging
Rods/Reels: 3-5 wt 6-8 wt for bull trout
Flies: Dry flies: Elk hair caddis – sz. 16, Parachute Adams – sz.16-18, Nymphs: Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, caddis pupas, midges, and mayfly emergers – all size 14-20. Large white, black, or tan streamers on heavy sinking tips.
Leaders: 3-5X, 0-2X for the Bull Trout
Quantity is the adjective often applied while describing fly fishing on the Crooked River Oregon. It is great place for newbies and experts alike.. Everyone will enjoy casting dry flies, and catching dozens of rainbow trout. Like its sister the Deschutes River, the Crooked River Oregon is home to a unique desert rainbow trout, known as "redsides". Averaging 6-8 inches, these rainbow trout mimic their Deschutes River cousin's power and strength. Often anglers tie into a trout over 15 inches with a max of about 19 inches.
Walk in : Camp grounds and road access
Distance from Bend: 45 minutes
Length of day: 8 plus hours.
Other needs: none
Limit: 15+ anglers
Wading: easy to moderate
Rods/Reels: 3-5 wt
Flies: Dry flies: Elk hair caddis – sz. 16, Parachute Adams – sz.16-18, Grass hoppers. Nymphs: Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, caddis pupas, midge pupas – all size 14-20.
Leaders: 3-5X