🎣 Fishing Reports
Daily conditions, flows, and hatch reports for Central Oregon fly fishing waters.
Crooked River Fishing Report — November 3, 2026
The Crooked River below Bowman Dam is running approximately 56 cfs with crystal-clear water at 53°F — prime fall conditions. Blue-Winged Olive hatches fire 11 AM–2 PM and midges produce all day. Top patterns: Zebra Midge #20-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph, and Parachute Adams on a dry-dropper rig.
Crooked River Fishing Report – November 2, 2026: Low-Water Tailwater Trout in the Canyon
The Crooked River tailwater canyon is running at low flows (35–50 cfs) above Opal Springs with crystal-clear 53°F water — prime November tailwater conditions. Zebra Midges and a Chubby Chernobyl dry-dropper rig are the winning combination as midges and BWOs keep canyon rainbows looking up.
Crooked River Fishing Report – November 1, 2026 | Flows Restored, Midges Are On
Great news — Bowman Dam has restored seasonal flows to the Crooked River tailwater starting today (November 1st), ending the critically low 10 CFS summer release period. Water temps are 54°F and crystal clear; midges and BWOs are the name of the game, with Zebra Midges, Pheasant Tail Nymphs, and Parachute Adams top producers for hungry redbands.
Crooked River Fly Fishing Report – October 31, 2026: High Water Advisory — Monitor Before You Go
The Crooked River is running at dramatically elevated flows this weekend — the USGS gauge below Opal Springs reads 1,170 CFS, far above fishable conditions. Most sections are off-color and unsafe to wade. The regulated reach immediately below Bowman Dam may be lower; scout carefully or wait for flows to subside before your next visit.
Crooked River Fly Fishing Report – October 30, 2026: Blown Out – Major Flow Spike, Monitor Before You Go
The Crooked River tailwater is blown out following a dramatic dam release event — USGS gauge shows 1,260 cfs vs the normal 50–250 cfs range. Water temp holds at 54°F. Do not wade. Monitor flows at gauge 14087400 and plan your trip once the river drops back below 250 cfs — October BWOs will be worth the wait.
Crooked River Fly Fishing Report – October 29, 2026
The Crooked River is running elevated at 1,200 CFS at the Opal Springs gauge with off-color water from fall runoff — but the tailwater directly below Bowman Dam remains fishable with 54°F water and active midge and BWO hatches. Focus the first 3 miles below the dam; a Zebra Midge or Pheasant Tail on 6X tippet is your best bet right now.
Crooked River Report – October 28, 2026: BWOs Prime and Midges Steady, Wild Redbands on the Bite
The Crooked River tailwater below Bowman Dam is fishing beautifully with 53°F clear water and active Blue-Winged Olive hatches from 10 AM to 1:30 PM. Zebra Midges and Pheasant Tail Nymphs round out the nymph box. Catch-and-release redbands in a stunning high desert canyon — late October doesn’t get much better than this.
Crooked River Fishing Report – October 27, 2026: Technical Midge Fishing Below Bowman Dam
The Crooked River below Bowman Dam is flowing around 35 CFS in the popular Crooked River Ranch section, with crystal-clear 54°F tailwater. Midges are the dominant hatch and a Chubby Chernobyl dry-dropper with a Zebra Midge is the go-to rig — technical fishing but rewarding for the patient angler.
Crooked River Fishing Report – October 26, 2026: Low & Clear BOR Flows, Midges & BWOs in Full Swing
The Crooked River below Bowman Dam is flowing at a BOR-controlled 37–40 CFS with crystal-clear 54°F water — ideal for technical dry-fly and nymph fishing. Midges and Blue-Winged Olives are the dominant hatches; downsize to 6X tippet and approach fish carefully for the best results.
Crooked River Below Bowman Dam Report – October 25, 2026: Low Clear Water & Dry-Dropper Action
The Crooked River below Bowman Dam is running at ~35 CFS — low but fishable with a dry-dropper approach. Grab a size #14 Chubby Chernobyl up top and a Zebra Midge or Pheasant Tail Nymph dropper, wade quietly, and you'll find wild redbands and whitefish actively feeding in this beautiful Wild and Scenic canyon.
Crooked River Fishing Report – October 24, 2026: BWO Hatch in Full Swing Below Bowman Dam
The Crooked River tailwater below Bowman Dam is in prime October form — Blue-Winged Olive hatches are peaking on overcast afternoons and midges are active all day. Water clarity is crystal clear at 53°F, making this one of the best dry-fly windows of the year for Central Oregon redband trout.
Crooked River Report – October 23, 2026: Prime Fall Tailwater – Dry-Droppers, BWOs & October Caddis
The Crooked River tailwater below Bowman Dam is in prime fall form — 35 CFS, 54°F, and gin-clear. Dry-dropper rigs with a #14 Chubby Chernobyl over a Zebra Midge or Pheasant Tail are the move, and afternoon BWO hatches on overcast days are bringing fish to the surface. With the Deschutes recovering from high water, this is the best fishery in Central Oregon this weekend.
Crooked River Fly Fishing Report – October 22, 2026: Tailwater Midges & Fall BWO Season Peaks
The Crooked River tailwater below Bowman Dam is fishing well this October, with active midge and BWO hatches bringing selective redbands to the surface on crystal-clear water. Temperature is holding at 54°F — ideal conditions for technical dry-fly action. Pack your Zebra Midges, Pheasant Tails, and small Parachute Adams patterns, and don't leave home without 6X tippet.
Crooked River Fishing Report – October 21, 2026 | Below Bowman Dam, Terrebonne
The Crooked River tailwater below Bowman Dam is in its prime fall midge and BWO season. The USGS gauge (below Opal Springs) reads 1,190 cfs at 54°F; the prime canyon section above Opal Springs is fishing clear with improving flows post-irrigation. Target selective redband trout with a Zebra Midge or Pheasant Tail Nymph on fine tippet, or switch to a Parachute Adams during afternoon BWO hatches.
Crooked River Fishing Report – October 20, 2026 | Excellent Tailwater Conditions, BWOs & Midges
The Crooked River tailwater below Bowman Dam is in prime October form with crystal-clear, 54°F spring-fed water. Midges and Blue Winged Olives are producing consistent dry fly and nymphing action for wild redband rainbows. This is one of Central Oregon's best fall fisheries — fish it while conditions are excellent.