Deschutes River Fishing Report – October 24, 2026: Fall BWOs, October Caddis & Late-Season Steelhead
Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Stimulator, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Zebra Midge, Copper John
Deschutes River Fishing Report – October 24, 2026
Lower Deschutes | Above & Below Sherars Falls | Maupin Area
Conditions: Good. The lower Deschutes is fishing well this late-October weekend, with flows holding at 4,350 CFS at the USGS Moody gauge (near Biggs) as of early Saturday morning. Water temperature is a crisp 53°F — right in the sweet spot for aggressive fall redband trout and the season's last steelhead push through the canyon.
📊 Current Conditions at a Glance
- Flow: 4,350 CFS (USGS Gauge #14103000, Deschutes at Moody, near Biggs)
- Water Temp: 53°F (11.4°C)
- Clarity: Clear
- Best For: Wild redband rainbow trout, fall-run steelhead
🪰 What's Hatching
October on the Deschutes means one thing above all else: Blue-Winged Olives (Baetis). Overcast afternoons — and we're getting them consistently as fall settles into the canyon — trigger dense BWO hatches between 11 AM and 3 PM. Fish are sipping in the slower water along riffles and in the tail-outs of pools. Watch for subtle, confident rises in flat water.
October Caddis (Dicosmoecus) continue to trickle throughout the canyon, particularly in the mornings and at dusk. These large, orange-bodied bugs draw explosive strikes from the biggest redbands. Midges are also active all day, especially in slower backwater seams and along cut banks. If you're not seeing fish on top, go deep — a nymph in the film or near the bottom will produce throughout the day.
🎣 Top Fly Recommendations
- Parachute Adams (#14–16) — The go-to BWO dry for afternoon flat-water risers. The high-vis parachute post is a lifesaver on the Deschutes' glassy slicks. Available at bugsnjugs.com.
- Elk Hair Caddis (#8–10) — Skated or dead-drifted during October Caddis activity. Target inside seams along canyon walls at dusk, or swing it across a riffle on a tight line. Get yours at bugsnjugs.com.
- Stimulator (#8–12) — An outstanding October Caddis imitation and excellent attractor pattern. Especially effective above Sherars Falls in the bouldery pocketwater. Stock up at bugsnjugs.com.
- Pheasant Tail Nymph (#14–16) — Fish it on the swing or as a dropper under a large dry. Deadly during BWO hatches when fished in the surface film as an emerger. Find it at bugsnjugs.com.
- Zebra Midge (#18–22) — Don't ignore the slow pools. Midges are active all day and a size-20 Zebra Midge on 6X tippet will fool the most educated redbands in glass-flat water. Available at bugsnjugs.com.
- Copper John (#14–16) — A workhorse nymph for faster riffles. Drift it deep through pocket water above Sherars Falls, or lead a two-fly nymph rig in the canyon tailouts. Grab one at bugsnjugs.com.
📍 Best Access Points
- Above Sherars Falls: Harpham Flat, Heritage Landing, Long Bend, and Maupin City Park all offer excellent bank and wade access. The calmer glides here are perfect for BWO fishing and technical dry-fly presentations.
- Below Sherars Falls: Buckhollow, Beavertail, and Macks Canyon are the prime steelhead corridor. Swing a Woolly Bugger or wet fly through the deeper runs and tailouts for the best chance at a fresh fish.
- Maupin area: Town access off the Hwy 197 bridge provides reliable wade fishing in classic Deschutes canyon runs. Easy parking and access for day trippers from Bend or Portland.
⚠️ Hazards & Notes
At 4,350 CFS, the Deschutes is moving with authority. Wade carefully — a wading staff is strongly recommended, and studded or felt-soled wading boots are essential on the river's notoriously slick basalt. Lower canyon access roads below Sherars can be rough after fall rains; check conditions before committing. All wild steelhead must be released unharmed. Wild redband trout must be handled with care: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water, and make it quick.
Flow data: USGS Gauge 14103000 (Deschutes River at Moody, near Biggs, OR) — 4,350 CFS as of October 24, 2026, 5:45 AM PDT. Provisional data subject to revision. Report produced by BugsNJugs.com — Central Oregon's daily fishing report resource.