Crooked River Report – August 13, 2026: Cold Tailwater Gold, PMDs at Midday
Pheasant Tail Nymph, Zebra Midge, Parachute Adams, Copper John, Woolly Bugger
Crooked River Fishing Report — August 13, 2026
Below Bowman Dam | Crooked River Ranch & Terrebonne Area
The Crooked River tailwater is in prime summer form — cold, clear, and loaded with willing trout. The USGS gauge (14087400) below Opal Springs reads 1,180 CFS as of 5:00 AM PDT; note that this station is located downstream of the Opal Springs inflow, which contributes substantial cold spring water to the system. The prime fly-fishing tailwater reach above Opal Springs — from Bowman Dam down through Crooked River Ranch toward Terrebonne — is running at typical summer dam-release levels with excellent wading conditions. Water temperature is a cool 55.6°F, which is absolute prime territory for aggressive rainbow trout throughout the day.
Water clarity is excellent — the spring-fed tailwater maintains its characteristic blue-green clarity even at elevated downstream flows. Fish are visible in their lies and actively feeding in the mid-column and at the surface during hatch windows.
Hatches & What's Working
PMDs (Pale Morning Duns) remain the signature hatch of the moment, with the best emergence building between 10 AM and 2 PM in the slower pools and glassy tailouts of the upper canyon section. A Parachute Adams in #16–18 is a reliable match, and split-case PMD emergers in the film are deadly when fish are locked in the rising lane. Before and after the hatch, the bread-and-butter here is nymphing — a two-fly rig with a Pheasant Tail Nymph (#16–18) and a Zebra Midge (#18–20) under a small indicator is the classic Crooked setup and continues to out-fish everything else. Scud patterns in pink and olive (#14–16) are consistent producers year-round in the deeper slots, particularly in slower water near cut banks. If you want to swing something streamer-style through the pools, a Woolly Bugger in black or olive (#8–10) will pick up the larger rainbows holding in the shadows. A Copper John as a point fly adds flash and weight when flows push fish toward the bottom.
Access & Best Spots
Crooked River Ranch is the most popular access corridor with multiple pull-offs along Lower Canyon Road. The canyon stretch between the ranch and Terrebonne offers excellent pocket water and deep pools that hold fish all summer long. The section just below Bowman Dam is worth the extra effort — dam-release fish are typically larger and less pressured on weekday mornings. Wading is generally straightforward in the tailwater; lightweight waders and felt or rubber soles both work well on the slick basalt bottom (carbide studs strongly recommended).
Hazards & Reminders
At 55.6°F, the Crooked is as fish-friendly as it gets in mid-August — no heat-stress concerns here. The canyon section can be warm above the water; bring sun protection and plenty of water for yourself. Rattlesnakes are active on the rocky banks during summer — watch your step when navigating off-trail. No current fishery closures reported. Standard Oregon regulations apply — check ODFW for current wild trout retention rules in this section.