Upper Deschutes River

The headwaters/upper Deschutes is mentioned as a fishable option during the fire situation.

The Upper Deschutes is fishing OK but receiving heavy pressure due to cold flows and lack of mosquitoes and smoke making it the best local option. Fish are rising sporadically to caddis, ants, and beetles, with nymphs producing more consistently.

Anglers report excellent fishing in the headwaters reach for redband trout, brook trout, and mountain whitefish, with good brown trout fishing in the Wickiup Tailwater reach.

The Upper Deschutes is in a classic summer pattern with cool, consistent flows keeping trout active. Subsurface presentations account for the majority of fish, with dry fly and streamer opportunities also available.

Anglers report excellent fishing in the headwaters reach for redband trout, brook trout, and mountain whitefish, with good brown trout fishing in the Wickiup Tailwater reach.

The Upper Deschutes float from Wickiup down produced good fishing on PMD and PED hatches this past week. The headwaters stretch benefits from spring rejuvenation keeping water temps safe, with nymphing, small streamers, and attractor dries all productive.

The Upper Deschutes is providing steady summer fishing with cold water and stable flows, with fish holding along undercut banks, submerged timber, lava shelves, and deeper pools. Early mornings and evenings offer the most productive windows as recreational traffic increases during the day.

The Upper Deschutes was busy with most anglers in the Cow Meadow area, but good spots exist between Little Lava and Bridge 40. Below Wickiup has been consistently solid on nymphs and streamers with very little dry fly action.

The upper Deschutes below Wickiup has seen some good days with hoppers, PMDs, and caddis; it is a technical fishery requiring precise drag-free drifts. The headwaters stretch from Little Lava to Crane Prairie is prime for euro nymphing and dry flies for whitefish, rainbows, and brookies.

Caddis have been prevalent in the evenings with PMDs earlier in the day; a dry-dropper setup with a Chubby Cricket and slim perdigon is recommended for the headwater section. Ants, beetles, and various nymphs are also productive.