Fishing Reports

The Lower Deschutes has been fishing very well heading into fall, with fat, healthy fish responding to nymph rigs (stonefly above, caddis or perdigon below) throughout the day and evening caddis dry fly action at dusk. Trout spey has also been productive with sculpin and leech-style patterns.

Fall conditions are setting up nicely with cooler September weather and good flows. Subsurface fishing is most consistent, with dry fly opportunities improving as BWOs and smaller mayflies become more active.

The stretch above Crane Prairie near Cow Meadow has been fishing well with kokanee moving in and lake fish present; nymphing egg patterns and streamers for brook trout in undercut banks is productive. Below Wickiup is also fishing well on streamers and nymphs with smaller stoneflies, PMD nymphs, caddis nymphs, and perdigons.

East Lake has cooled down and callibaetis are hatching in great numbers. Subsurface fishing with scuds, chironomids, midges, and leeches under an indicator remains productive.

No specific freshwater fly fishing conditions reported for the Willamette River in this marine-focused report.

Still early for steelhead on the Grande Ronde; returning runs are low and fish are not yet showing in numbers.

The Upper Deschutes is transitioning into fall with dropping flows as irrigation season winds down. Fish are spread throughout the system with good dry fly and subsurface opportunities; streamer fishing expected to improve as fall progresses.

Cooler fall weather is broadening the hatch mix and creating good fishing throughout the day. Chinook and bull trout are spawning, so anglers should watch for redds and give spawning fish plenty of space.

Crane Prairie is now fishable and fishing pretty well after cooler weather arrived. Leeches and chironomids are the primary patterns, and fish have likely not been pressured recently so larger flies may work.

The St. Joe continues to fish well as summer winds down, with summer patterns still producing. Smaller flies and lighter tippet are recommended; Mahogany duns and October caddis are beginning to appear and should increase over coming weeks.

Flows below Bowman Dam have dropped to around 175 CFS as irrigation season winds down, prompting anglers to adjust where they find fish. Subsurface fishing is the most consistent approach, with hatches shifting deeper into September.

The Middle Deschutes is fishing very well on dry flies with consistent risers reported throughout the river. Caddis hatches are the most reliable, especially in the evening, with PMDs and BWOs also active; nymphing and streamer fishing are productive as well.

Cooler temperatures have been good for fishing. Flows saw a brief bump from rain but have returned to normal levels. Smaller patterns overall are recommended as fish have seen many flies this season.

Cooler fall conditions are opening up more of the day at East Lake, allowing fish to move between deeper water and shallows. Callibaetis second brood continues through September alongside ants, beetles, and hoppers.

Dry fly fishing has remained quite good with PMDs in the morning and BWOs and caddis around midday. Nymphing continues to be productive with a wide variety of patterns including midges, scuds, baetis nymphs, eggs, and leeches.

Primary hatches are PMDs and BWOs with increasing caddis activity. Nymphing has been consistently productive and dry fly fishing is active on overcast days with fish rising eagerly.

The Spokane River below town has been fishing well as temperatures have cooled. Hopper/chubby with a dropper is the main approach, with nymphing and streamers also productive; sections below Sullivan that retained water are fishable but slow.

Colder water and improving clarity are the biggest improvements at Crane Prairie as fall transition continues. Subsurface fishing with chironomids, balanced leeches, and attractor nymphs is steady.

Steelhead are returning in decent numbers to the Klickitat, with guided lodge trips booking from late September through late October. The shop is optimistic about a great steelhead season close to home.

Lost Creek Reservoir offers good trolling and bank fishing near the dam. Surface water temperature is 66F and lake level is 1,790.44ft.

Pass Lake is currently closed due to a toxic algae bloom.

Fall salmon season is open with active catch reports from the Troutdale and PDX to Warrior Rock sections. Chinook and coho are being kept and released across multiple zones.

Nothing to report for steelhead on the Grande Ronde currently. No official word yet on whether local rivers will be closed for the steelhead season.

Cooler temps and cloud cover have improved conditions, and a small flow bump from recent rain has been a positive. Fall hatches are beginning to appear and terrestrial fishing remains reliable throughout the day.

Fishing has been on the slower side, but anglers willing to walk and work harder have been rewarded with some nice fish recently.

Trout fishing has been decent on the South Fork above Granite Falls, with fish responding well to streamers and dry flies. Most fish are on the smaller side, making it a great light-rod fishery.

Crappie fishing in Owyhee Reservoir has been good.

The St. Joe is one of the best options in the region right now, with great fishing reported. Small mayfly hatches in calm tailouts brought fish up in the afternoons, and October Caddis in the evenings fired up larger fish.

Fishing has been slow overall, but anglers willing to work harder in upper reaches have found some success. Lower stretches are open for salmon but low water levels are limiting action.

Trout fishing is slow, but warmwater fishing is productive with bass, crappie, bluegill, and perch all available. Streamers and poppers work well for bass while midge and bloodworm patterns under an indicator produce fast action for panfish.

Cooler water temperatures are improving the Naches fishery; flows are very low and dropping but fish are accessible, especially in the mornings. October Caddis emergence is expected imminently in the evenings, often arriving earlier here than on the Yakima.

South Puget Sound is producing good Sea Run Cutthroat fishing with lots of bait around, particularly sand lance and small herring. Fast retrieves are key with grabs occurring right at the rod tip.

The Spokane River has been fishing well with steady dry fly action on hoppers and chubby patterns. October Caddis and BWOs are worth watching for on cool, overcast days, and a dropper nymph rig under big dries is a reliable approach.

The Yakima is transitioning out of high summer flows toward a natural late-season pattern, concentrating trout and improving conditions. Full-day float trips have resumed after voluntary Hoot Owl restrictions, with midday nymphing in riffles and pocket water being most productive.

Trout fishing is slow, but warmwater fishing is productive with bass, crappie, bluegill, and perch all available. Streamers and poppers work well for bass while midge and bloodworm patterns under an indicator produce fast action for panfish.

Fishing for walleye and smallmouth bass between Salem and Corvallis can be very fun and exciting. Last week's rain provided a cooling refresh to kickstart fall fishing.

Cooler temps and cloud cover have improved conditions, and fall hatches are beginning to emerge. Terrestrial fishing remains productive and flows received a slight bump from recent rain.

One of the best options in the region right now, with great fishing reported by a recent visitor. Small mayfly hatches in calm tailouts brought fish up in the afternoons and October Caddis in the evenings fired up larger fish.

Pass Lake is currently closed due to the annual toxic algae bloom.

Longer nights and cooling temperatures are shifting focus back to trout fishing at local lakes like Lone Lake. Midges, small leeches, backswimmers, boatmen, and scuds are all productive patterns.

Fall Chinook opened August 1 with a fair number reported caught in the bay over the past week. Sea-run and resident cutthroat trout are available throughout the river.

The NF Stillaguamish from Arlington to Cicero Bridge is open and worth exploring for sea run cutthroat. The river could use more water but cutthroat should be present, often seeking cooler oxygenated riffles in low flows.

The Skagit below the Dalles Bridge in Concrete is open for salmon with a strong coho forecast, and sea run cutthroat are also present in lower sections. Bull trout are concentrating in upper portions and tributaries as they prepare to spawn.

Flows are dropping from summer highs of 300 CFS toward winter levels, currently at 140 CFS and very fishable. Surface action can be excellent during canyon shadows or overcast conditions, and nymphing small patterns is also productive.

The Nooksack is open for salmon from the Lummi Reservation Boundary upstream to the yellow marker behind the FFA High School Barn in Deming. Visibility often runs low, favoring bigger and flashier patterns.

Coho returns in Marine Areas 8 and 9 have been impressive, with salmon running larger than average. Beach fishing with Clousers and stinger-style flies is producing well, including both wild and hatchery fish.

Summer steelhead fishing has been slow but last week's rain should get fish moving; steelhead are dispersed throughout with most anglers targeting the gorge upstream of Moonshine Park. A few Chinook have been caught in the bay and tidewater with more expected in coming weeks.

Nothing to report for steelhead currently. No official word yet on whether local rivers will be closed for the steelhead season.

Flows are rising on the Lower Deschutes as irrigation season tapers, but trout fishing has improved drastically with cooler weather. Dry fly fishing with small gray and slate sedges is productive with early-fall caddis activity, though technical due to small fly sizes and educated fish.

Dry fly fishing is steady with hopper and chubby patterns, and October Caddis and BWOs are worth watching for on cool overcast days. A flow increase is expected next week when Lake CDA is drawn down.

The Methow is cooling off and September is a favorite time to fish before the river closes at end of month. October Caddis are active and a variety of surface, nymph, swing, and streamer tactics are all productive.

Fall Chinook starting to show in Nestucca Bay with some fish caught over the past couple weeks; summer steelhead are present throughout the system up to Elk Creek with Cedar Creek Hatchery recycling fish to boost opportunity. Wild coho season opens this week though numbers are still low.

Flows are still a bit high for comfortable wading but expected to drop in coming weeks. Fish are actively taking hoppers, small mayflies, and small nymphs.

Summer steelhead are present throughout the Wilson with the upper river having the best numbers; cooler temperatures and fall rains are getting fish more active. Cutthroat trout including sea-runs are available throughout, and fall Chinook may be starting to enter tidewater.

Flows at 600 cfs favor wading over floating. A few Flavs and Pink Alberts are hatching midday through early afternoon, with Baetis beginning to appear especially on cloudy days.

Nothing to report from steelhead fishing on the Grande Ronde currently. No official word on whether the river will be closed for steelhead season.

The Spokane has been fishing well with steady dry fly action on hoppers and chubby patterns. October Caddis and BWOs are worth watching for on cool overcast days, with caddis nymphs and small mayfly nymphs as reliable droppers.

Fall-like weather with pods of fish still findable during late morning dry fly windows. Callibaetis are ramping up in the afternoon, especially in the slough and lower S-curves.

Low and clear water requires stealthy approach and accurate first presentations. Red Quills expected in cooler mornings alongside Baetis, Tricos, flying ants, caddis, and small crane flies.

Cooler temps and cloud cover have improved conditions, and fall hatches are beginning to appear. Terrestrial fishing remains productive and midday is becoming prime time for bug activity.

The St. Joe is one of the best options in the region right now, with great fishing reported. Small mayfly hatches in calm tailouts had fish rising in the afternoons and October Caddis in the evenings fired up larger fish.

Flows are wadeable but pushy at around 300 cfs. Tricos and Baetis are hatching as the day warms, with giant crane flies effective on the surface; nymphing with small Baetis or midge patterns keeps fish coming in the slower afternoon.

Cooler temps and cloud cover have improved conditions, with flows bumped slightly by recent rain. Fall hatches are beginning to appear and terrestrial fishing remains productive.

The St. Joe is one of the best options in the region with great fishing reported; small mayflies drew fish up in afternoons and October Caddis in evenings fired up larger fish. Lower sections were quieter than upper sections above Avery.

The Spokane has been fishing well with steady dry fly action using hoppers and October Caddis patterns; BWOs are worth watching on cool overcast days. Access is restricted in Riverside State Park; anglers should stay upstream of the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Nothing to report for steelhead on the Grande Ronde currently; no official word yet on potential closures for the steelhead season.

Steelhead runs are low across the board this year, but the Klickitat is expected to remain open through the entire season. Lodge bookings are filling up fast for fall steelhead trips.

The Yakima is transitioning out of high summer flows toward a more natural late-season pattern at ~2,000 cfs, with excellent clarity and improving fishing. Nymphing riffles and pocket water is most productive, with dry fly and streamer opportunities also available, especially in low-light periods.

The Naches is running very low but improving with cooler nights; dry flies are the primary tactic with fish more easily located at low flows. October Caddis emergence is imminent in the evenings, expected to begin any day.

Flow has risen significantly to 3,600 CFS with a cooling water temp of 66.4°F, drawing resident trout away from tributary mouths. Fish are stacking in softer water behind boulders and inside bends; slightly off-color water requires targeting seams and current edges.

Flows are down to 1,420 cfs at Grants Pass and gin-clear, demanding stealthy presentations and light tippet. Water temp is a comfortable 61°F keeping trout and early-run salmon active throughout the day, with terrestrial fishing the highlight.

Flows are at 72 cfs and gin-clear, requiring stealthy approaches, long fine leaders (12-14 ft to 6X-7X), and precise drag-free drifts. Midges and Baetis are the primary hatches, with terrestrials productive mid-morning through early afternoon and Mahogany Duns expected in the afternoon.

Cooler temps and cloud cover have improved conditions, with fall hatches beginning to appear. Flows bumped slightly from recent rain, which is a positive sign, and fishing is worthwhile all day with midday becoming prime for hatches.

One of the best options in the region right now, with great fishing reported by a recent visitor. Small mayflies hatching in calm tailouts brought fish up in the afternoons, and October Caddis in the evenings fired up larger fish.

Nothing to report for steelhead currently; no official word on whether local rivers will be closed for steelhead season.

Fishing well with dry fly action using hopper and chubby patterns, and October Caddis dries worth adding. BWOs expected to be productive on cool overcast days; caddis and mayfly nymphs fished as droppers are a reliable combination.

The Middle Deschutes is picking up with the recent cool-down and fishing well on dry flies, nymphs, and lighter streamers. PMDs, BWOs, and caddis are all producing, and the Purple Haze is a standout attractor pattern.

The McKenzie is fishing very well with guide boats running at 1700–1900 cfs — low but navigable. Dry-dropper rigs with Chubbys and Perdigons are productive, as are leeches with nymph droppers and stonefly nymphs, with golden stones being the top nymph choice.

Fall River is fishing well with good hatches of PMDs, BWOs, midges, and caddis. Crowds are expected midday near the hatchery and headwaters, so early morning or late afternoon fishing is recommended.

The Upper Columbia Black Bear Lodge crew reports a great hatch season and is looking forward to their fall program. Specific current conditions were not detailed in this report.

Dry fly fishing is steady with hopper and chubby patterns, and October Caddis and BWOs are worth watching for on cool overcast days. A flow increase is expected next week when Lake CDA is drawn down.

The Lower Deschutes is producing good trout action despite the closed steelhead season, with nymphs and small streamers being most effective. Caddis hatches are expected to pick up again with warmer weather returning next week.

Water temps in the Quinn River arm have dropped to the 50s and clarity has improved, with recent reports of good fishing action. Balanced leeches and chironomids are the top producers.

No recent reports from Hosmer, but upper lake and upper channel are expected to be in good condition. Fish can be picky in September; water is low which may limit indicator fishing in some spots.

Nothing to report for steelhead on the Grande Ronde currently. No official word yet on whether the river will be closed for the steelhead season.

River is in spectacular condition with the cooler weather keeping fish active. Both nymphing and swinging tactics have been productive, with 5 fish hooked in a recent outing.

The Crooked River is dropping to around 177 cfs but nymph action is excellent. PMD hatches are improving and BWOs are expected to increase through September and October.

East Lake resort docks are staying in until the 18th for boat launches. Callibaetis hatches near the East Lake campground and White Slide are good around midday, and more large hatches are expected with warm sunny days returning.

One of the best options in the region right now, with great fishing reported by a recent visitor. Small mayflies in calm tailouts had fish rising in the afternoons, and October Caddis in the evenings fired up larger fish.

The Upper Deschutes float section is fishing quite well with streamer fishing, hoppers, and good hatches including Tricos, PMDs, BWOs, Mahogany Duns, and caddis. The walk-and-wade area above Crane Prairie is also fishing well on nymphs and small streamers, but closes September 30th.

Cooler temps and cloud cover have improved conditions, and fall hatches are beginning to appear. Flows bumped slightly from recent rain, which has been beneficial for fishing.

River is in great condition with no hoot-owl restrictions. Fall fishing calls for small nymphs in #16-20, with October Caddis and Crane Flies also producing on top. Salmon counts are low (~1500) but late September fishing behind spawning salmon in the upper river can be productive.

The Metolius is fishing extremely well for trout and bull trout with an intense multi-hatch season underway. An exceptional variety of hatches are active or coming on, including PMDs, BWOs, Mahogany Duns, Flavs, caddis, and stoneflies, making the next six weeks a prime window.

Crane Prairie is cooling more slowly than other Cascade Lakes, limiting productive water to colder river channels and inflows for now. Conditions are expected to improve for trout as temperatures continue to fall through September.

Davis Lake has been fishing fantastically for largemouth bass with a wide variety of surface and subsurface patterns working well. A midday lull occurs around 1–3pm, but morning and evening fishing off the lava flow and around weed beds is productive.

Conditions are improving as water temperatures drop with late-summer cooling, allowing fish to move into shallower water. Callibaetis hatches are active at midday, and terrestrials along the shoreline remain productive.

Crane Prairie is expected to become fishable again with the arrival of cooler weather as of early September 2026. Bass fishing has been strong near the Resort's coves, while trout fishing has been tough through much of the summer due to high water temps and an algae bloom.

Trout remain active as cooler weather and falling flows transition the river. Deeper bends, undercut banks, and woody structure are worth targeting alongside productive headwaters.