Deschutes River Fishing Report – August 28, 2026 | Evening Caddis in Full Swing
Elk Hair Caddis, Chubby Chernobyl, Parachute Adams, Stimulator, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Copper John, Woolly Bugger
Deschutes River Fishing Report — August 28, 2026
Lower Deschutes | Maupin Area | Above & Below Sherars Falls
Current Flow: 3,860 cfs (USGS Gauge 14103000, Moody/Biggs — as of 5:45 AM PDT)
Water Temperature: 63.9°F (17.7°C)
Clarity: Clear
Overall Conditions: Good
Conditions Overview
The lower Deschutes is fishing beautifully heading into the final days of August. Flows at 3,860 cfs at the Moody gauge are right in the wheelhouse for late summer — wade anglers will find plenty of fishable water throughout the Maupin corridor, and drift boats have clean lanes through the major runs. Water temperature is a comfortable 64°F, ideal for actively feeding redside rainbows and bull trout. Visibility is excellent — expect gin-clear water in most reaches.
Hatch Report
August on the Deschutes is all about the evening caddis hatch, and this week is delivering. Spotted sedge (Hydropsyche) and little sister sedge begin showing around 6:30–7:00 PM PDT and can continue until full dark, triggering aggressive surface takes across riffles and tailouts. If you are on the water for only one window, be there from dusk onward.
Mornings are producing solid results with Pale Morning Dun (PMD) emerger activity from roughly 8–11 AM, particularly in slower flats and eddied pockets above Sherars Falls. Trico spinner falls are also worth watching early — fish the slow slicks and foam lines in the 7–9 AM window on calm mornings. Subsurface, golden stonefly and salmonfly nymphs remain productive along the bottom of deeper runs throughout the day.
Top Fly Recommendations
- Elk Hair Caddis (#14-16): The undisputed evening dry — dead drift it, then let it drag and skitter. Devastating at last light.
- Chubby Chernobyl (#8-10): Excellent all-day attractor; doubles as a strike indicator for a trailing nymph. High visibility makes it ideal for fast pocket water above Sherars.
- Parachute Adams (#16-18): Versatile multi-hatch catcher for morning PMD and Trico activity. Keep a few in your box.
- Stimulator (#8-12, orange): Great searching pattern mid-day when nothing specific is happening. Produces strikes in broken, oxygenated water.
- Pheasant Tail Nymph (#14-18): The go-to PMD and caddis larva imitation. Fish it on a tight drift along the bottom in runs 3–5 feet deep.
- Copper John (#14-16): Heavy enough to get down in fast water; excellent as a dropper behind an attractor dry. Gold bead version is particularly effective.
- Woolly Bugger (#6-8, olive or black): For the streamer game, swing these through deeper runs and alongside basalt walls — bull trout and big redsides will hammer them.
Best Access Points
- Harpham Flat (above Sherars Falls): Classic wade access, good riffle-to-pool structure. Park at the Harpham Flat BLM site.
- Sherars Falls: Watch for Native American dipnetting operations — give wide berth and be respectful. Below the falls, big fish hold in the plunge pool and adjacent runs. Drift boats must portage the falls.
- Oak Springs / Maupin City Park: Convenient town access with good evening caddis water within easy walking distance.
- Beavertail / Macks Canyon (lower canyon): Remote, hike-in access. Excellent dry fly water with less pressure. Plan for a longer day.
Hazards and Regulations
- Flows at 3,860 cfs are wading-safe but use a wading staff in swift channels — footing on basalt slabs can be treacherous.
- Late August heat: water temps can spike into the mid-60s°F by afternoon. Fish mornings and evenings; consider catch-and-release with minimal handling during peak afternoon warmth.
- Fire smoke: check air quality before heading out — smoke from regional fires can move in quickly in August. Visit airnow.gov for current conditions.
- Selective gear rules apply on most of the lower Deschutes — artificial lures and flies only; single barbless hooks required.
Gauge data sourced live from USGS National Water Information System (Gauge 14103000, Deschutes River at Moody, provisional data subject to revision). Report prepared August 28, 2026 by BugsNJugs.com — Central Oregon's daily fly fishing report resource.