From Prineville, the Crooked River Oregon continues to carve its way north, creating one of Central Oregon's greatest attractions, Smith Rock State Park. From Smith Rock the Crooked River Oregon finishes its journey, joining two other popular central Oregon fly fishing rivers, the Metolious River and the Deschutes River at Lake Billy Chinook. Like its sisters, the Deschutes and the Metolious, the Crooked River Oregon boasts spectacular canyon views, a healthy strain of rainbow trout, and ample fly fishing excitement.

Quantity is the adjective often applied while describing fly fishing on the Crooked River Oregon. With 3000 trout per mile, it's easy to see why this river is such a great place for newbies to the sport of central Oregon fly fishing. Not just for beginners, experts in fly fishing 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 8-10inches, these rainbow trout mimic their Deschutes River cousin's power and strength. Known for eating dry flies, these beautiful trout are sure to please all who visit the banks of the Crooked River to do some Central Oregon Fly Fishing.

The Crooked River Oregon is open to fly fishing all year long, with the best fly fishing being in the spring, early summer, and fall. Like all rivers in the west, the Crooked River Oregon has prolific hatches of mayflies, midges, and caddis. Being a tail water fishery, it is also home to a variety of scud species, and breeding grounds for many sculpins. In the spring and again in the fall, and during the rainy days of the summer, while fly fishing you can expect to see great hatches of Blue Winged Olives, and Midges. As summer strengthens its grip, caddis begin to fly. Typically by Mother's Day, caddis have made their presence well known, earning the attention of both the rainbow trout and the central oregon fly fishing community.

Fly fisher's should concentrate their attention on the first ten miles below Bowman dam. This is where most of the fish reside. Fly fishing through runs, riffles, and pocket water will produce rainbow trout. The Crooked River Oregon offers some of the greatest pocket water fishing in Central Oregon. Anglers fly fishing through these sections of the river will be rewarded with technically fun central Oregon fly fishing. A popular way to fly fish the Crooked River is with nymphs. A small bead head (prince nymph, hare's ear, pheasant tail, or scud) with a smaller nymph as a dropper (zebra midge, midge pupa, or a mayfly emerger) will catch trout through out the river. Swinging a Wooly Bugger is also a popular way to fly fish the Crooked; a high-risk style of fly fishing can reward the largest trout in the river.

Over all, the Crooked River is one of the greatest Central Oregon fly fishing rivers. Well suited for introducing newbies to the sport, the Crooked will not disappoint anyone looking for a quality Central Oregon Fly Fishing experience.

For more information on the Crooked River, or any other Central Oregon Fly Fishing waters please contact Deep Canyon Outfitters.

Guided Fly Fishing Trips on the Crooked River