Open to fly fishing all year, the Lower Deschutes River is home to many species of insects, which hatch to Biblical proportions. The warming weather of mid May brings out the Stone fly hatch. Famous in the fly fishing community, Giant Salmon flies and Golden stones cover the grass, brush, and trees of the river's banks, through the first weeks of June. These huge bugs prove to be the ultimate meal for the rainbow trout, who eat them with recklessness. Anglers who cast these large dry flies into the bank, and under over hanging trees will be rewarded with the largest, hottest rainbow trout of the season. Like all fly fishing rivers, the Deschutes river has ever-changing hatches, creating great fly fishing through out the year.

July and August offer some of the best fly fishing of the season. Long, hot summer days make for endless opportunities to hook these feisty rainbow trout. The Deschutes River produces all day long caddis hatches with Pale Morning Duns at dawn and Pale Evening Duns at dusk. The ample amount of bugs, cause the rainbow trout to look up for their meals. For anglers who live for dry fly fishing, this is the time to visit the Deschutes River Oregon.

The Deschutes River is equally famous for it's Summer Steelhead run. These anadromous fish begin migrating from the Pacific in July, and occupy the river through March. By the end of July or the first of August, there are fishable numbers of steelhead in the lowest reaches of the Deschutes River. Warm water temperatures can create challenging fly fishing conditions for these powerful fish, but those who hook-up are rewarded with the hottest Deschutes River steelhead of the season. When the weather cools in September, and the steelhead respond. Steelhead this time of year are notorious risers for skated drys and initiate takes that leave any fly fishing gurus heart racing. October is a great month for fly fishing on the Deschutes River Oregon. The weather is pleasant, and steelhead can be caught in the entire river. Fly fishing during this time on this fly fishing Deschutes River offers anglers the greatest chance for catching both rainbow trout and steelhead. For those not afraid of the cooler temperatures, November and December can offer great fly fishing. Anglers fly fishing under an indicator can have record setting days, since the largest numbers of steelhead are in the system.

The Lower Deschutes River is a big rambling fly fishing river with frequently windy conditions in the fall. An eight weight with dry line is the standard recipe for indicator fly fishing tactics. Two handed or Spey rods have gained a huge following in the fly fishing community on the Deschutes River Oregon. While fly fishing for steelhead, a spey rod is a huge aid when trying to reach mid river, holding water or when throwing heavy sink tips. Much of the Spey fishing revolution in the sport of Fly Fishing can be traced to the banks of the Deschutes River.

If you enjoy fly fishing for feisty rainbow trout and powerful steelhead, the Deschutes River in Oregon is an experience you can't afford to neglect.

For more information on the Fly Fishing Deschutes River, or Fly Fishing on other lakes and rivers in Oregon please contact Deep Canyon Outfitters.

Deschutes River fishing report

Guided Fly Fishing Trips on the Deschutes River