🎣 Fishing Reports
Daily conditions, flows, and hatch reports for Central Oregon fly fishing waters.
Crooked River Fly Fishing Report — August 20, 2026: PMD & Caddis Action, Ideal 56°F Water
The Crooked River tailwater below Bowman Dam is in prime summer form with crystal-clear water at an ideal 56°F. PMD hatches are firing in the early afternoon and caddis activity (black and tan) has picked up noticeably this week — dry-fly action in the 12–5 PM window is excellent. Zebra Midges and Pheasant Tail Nymphs cover the morning hours before the hatch, and a Woolly Bugger swung through the deep pools rounds out the day.
Crooked River Fishing Report — August 19, 2026
The Crooked River tailwater is fishing well in the upper reach below Bowman Dam with an exceptional water temperature of 56°F — a true summer luxury. Flows are elevated at 1,150 CFS at the Opal Springs gauge; the prime stretch to target is the upper tailwater from Bowman Dam to mile marker 8, where Zebra Midges, Pheasant Tail Nymphs, and Copper Johns are the go-to flies for wild redband rainbow trout.
Crooked River Fishing Report – August 18, 2026 | Elevated Flows, Excellent Temps, Caddis Active
The Crooked River below Bowman Dam is running elevated at 1,230 CFS but with exceptional water temps at 55.6°F — trout are active and feeding throughout the day. Caddis activity is increasing with both black and tan patterns working, along with PMDs in the afternoon and reliable midge and scud nymphing all day.
Crooked River Fishing Report – August 17, 2026 | PMDs, Caddis & Prime Tailwater Conditions
The Crooked River tailwater is in outstanding shape this week — water temperatures are a perfect 55.6°F with excellent clarity and active PMD and caddis hatches bringing wild redband rainbows to the surface throughout the day. The upper tailwater from Bowman Dam to Mile Marker 8 is the place to be, with Parachute Adams and Elk Hair Caddis for the afternoon hatches and Zebra Midges plus Pheasant Tail Nymphs for consistent all-day subsurface action.
Crooked River Fly Fishing Report – August 16, 2026
The Crooked River tailwater is running at 1,230 CFS — well above normal — due to irrigation releases from Prineville Reservoir. Wade fishing is dangerous; fish from the bank only. Water temps are an excellent 56°F and PMD hatches are still active in slow bankside eddies. Zebra Midges and Pheasant Tail Nymphs are the go-to flies.
Crooked River Fishing Report — August 15, 2026: PMD Hatches Firing, Perfect Tailwater Temps
The Crooked River tailwater below Bowman Dam is the standout river in Central Oregon this week, with water temps a fish-friendly 55.6°F and PMD hatches firing reliably from late morning through early evening. Crystal-clear water and consistent dam-regulated flows make this an ideal destination for dry fly and nymph anglers alike.
Crooked River Fishing Report — August 14, 2026
The Crooked River tailwater below Bowman Dam is fishing excellently at 56°F — ideal temperatures for wild redband trout. PMD hatches are firing from 10 AM through early afternoon, with Tricos and caddis rounding out the day. Flows are elevated at 1,100 CFS so wade carefully, but clarity is excellent throughout the canyon.
Crooked River Report – August 13, 2026: Cold Tailwater Gold, PMDs at Midday
The Crooked River tailwater is running cold at 55.6°F with excellent clarity — prime conditions for August. PMDs are hatching midday from 10 AM to 2 PM, and the classic Pheasant Tail/Zebra Midge nymph rig is working all day long. Great wading conditions in the Crooked River Ranch corridor.
Crooked River Fishing Report — August 12, 2026 | Below Bowman Dam
The Crooked River below Bowman Dam is delivering the goods — cold 55°F tailwater, crystal-clear flows around 1,180 CFS, and a PMD hatch that's building daily through the afternoon. This is the most consistently fishable water in Central Oregon right now, with wild redsides eating dry flies and nymphs all day long.
Crooked River Fishing Report – August 11, 2026
The Crooked River tailwater is running elevated at 1,150 cfs below Opal Springs with off-color clarity, but an excellent water temperature of 55.6°F is keeping fish active. Nymphing deep seams with Zebra Midges, Pheasant Tail Nymphs, and Copper Johns will be most productive today; use caution wading in higher-than-normal flows.
Crooked River Fishing Report – August 10, 2026
The Crooked River tailwater is fishing great with gin-clear 56°F water and an excellent PMD hatch developing each afternoon. Flows are elevated at 1,200 cfs so wade with care, but the wild redbands are looking up — bring your Parachute Adams, Pheasant Tails, and Zebra Midges.
Crooked River Fishing Report — August 9, 2026: PMDs Emerging Strong, Cold Temps Prime for Trout
The Crooked River tailwater is fishing well at 1,190 CFS with a cold 56°F — PMDs are emerging strong through the afternoon, making for excellent dry-fly action on wild redbands. Parachute Adams, Pheasant Tail Nymph, and Zebra Midge lead the fly list. Flows are elevated so wade carefully, but this river is fishing better than anything else in Central Oregon right now.
Crooked River Fishing Report – August 8, 2026 | PMDs Firing in the Canyon
The Crooked River tailwater below Bowman Dam is in prime condition for August, with PMD hatches firing in the early afternoon and ideal water temperatures of 56°F. Midges, caddis nymphs, and scuds are keeping nymphers busy all day — one of the best bets in Central Oregon right now.
Crooked River Fishing Report – August 7, 2026 | Below Bowman Dam, Crooked River Ranch
The Crooked River tailwater below Bowman Dam is fishing well on August 7th with ideal water temps at 56°F and clear conditions. PMDs are the top hatch around midday, with caddis nymphs and midges rounding out the box — the most fishable river in Central Oregon right now.
Crooked River Fishing Report – August 6, 2026 | High Water Alert – Flows Significantly Elevated
The Crooked River is running a high and turbid 1,200 CFS today — well above typical summer flows — making wading dangerous. Water temp is an excellent 55°F. When flows drop, expect outstanding PMD and midge fishing; for now, target protected eddies with Woolly Buggers and Zebra Midges.