Deschutes River Fishing Report – August 22, 2026
Elk Hair Caddis, Stimulator, Chubby Chernobyl, Parachute Adams, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Copper John, Zebra Midge
Deschutes River — Lower Canyon Conditions
Date: August 22, 2026 | Flow (USGS Moody #14103000): 3,920 CFS | Water Temp: 64.6°F | Clarity: Clear
The lower Deschutes is holding in good shape for late August. Flows at the Moody gauge (USGS #14103000) read 3,920 CFS this morning — slightly elevated but well within the comfort zone for experienced waders. Water clarity is excellent. Water temperature came in at 64.6°F in early-morning readings, which means fish are active but anglers should plan to fish the cooler bookends of the day — early morning and evening — and rest the water during peak afternoon heat.
Important: BLM Fire Closure
A wildfire-related BLM closure is currently in effect for the Warm Springs to Trout Creek corridor. Check BLM.gov and TripCheck.com before you head out. Smoke remains patchy across the canyon but has not reached dangerous air quality levels near Maupin as of this report. The Maupin area (Heritage Flats, South Junction) and the Mack's Canyon corridor below Sherars Falls remain accessible.
Hatches and What's Working
August is the Deschutes River's crown jewel for dry fly fishing, and right now is no exception. Evening caddis hatches are peaking — fish are keying on emerging and skating caddis from roughly 6:00 PM until dark, and the rises can be explosive. Carry a range of sizes (14–18) and don't be afraid to skate or swing a wet fly through tailouts as the hatch winds down. Earlier in the day, look for sporadic Pale Morning Dun (PMD) activity in riffled glides, and Trico spinners are worth targeting in flat morning water near the banks. Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) can pop in the evening if clouds move in. Below the surface, Pheasant Tail Nymphs and Copper Johns on a tight-line or indicator rig continue to produce all day through deeper seams and below riffles. Swing a Woolly Bugger or soft hackle through tailouts for the occasional larger bull trout or aggressive summer steelhead beginning their early-season push.
Top Flies (Available at Bugs N Jugs)
- Elk Hair Caddis #14–16 (tan/olive) — THE fly right now; tie one on at 6 PM and don't switch
- Stimulator #14–16 (orange/yellow) — doubles as an attractor and caddis imitation in broken water
- Chubby Chernobyl #10–12 — excellent foam attractor for riffled pocket water and as a hopper-dropper anchor
- Parachute Adams #16–18 — reliable all-day dry fly for PMD and spinner rises in flat water
- Pheasant Tail Nymph #16–18 — bread and butter subsurface; dead-drift in seams and below riffles
- Copper John #14–16 (red/copper) — heavy anchor fly for two-nymph rigs, excellent in deeper slots
- Zebra Midge #18–20 — productive in the morning and evening in flat water and tailouts
Best Access Points
Above Sherars Falls: Heritage Flats (free BLM camping, 8 miles north of Maupin), South Junction, and the Locked Gate pull-off offer great wade access. Below Sherars Falls: Mack's Canyon BLM Campground (17 miles down the gravel road) offers walk-in wade fishing with far less pressure. Float trips from Maupin to Mack's Canyon are a classic multi-day experience. Sherars Falls itself is always productive for plunge-pool fishing. With flows at 3,920 CFS, wading is best in lighter-gradient runs; studs and a wading staff are strongly recommended.
Flow data sourced from USGS gauge 14103000 (Deschutes River at Moody, near Biggs, OR). Provisional data subject to revision. Report generated August 22, 2026 by Bugs N Jugs Fly Shop.