Deschutes River Fly Fishing Report – August 25, 2026: Caddis Season Peaks, Steady Flows

Deschutes River Fly Fishing Report – August 25, 2026

Lower Deschutes | Maupin Area | Above & Below Sherars Falls

Current Conditions at a Glance

• Flow: 3,860 CFS (USGS Gauge 14103000, Moody/Biggs — as of early morning 8/25)
• Water Temp: 63.9°F (17.7°C) — excellent for summer trout activity
• Clarity: Clear
• Overall Rating: Good

Conditions Overview

The lower Deschutes is fishing well this Tuesday morning. Flows at the Moody gauge are holding steady at 3,860 CFS — a moderate summer level that keeps the big canyon runs well-oxygenated and gives fish plenty of holding water. Water clarity remains exceptional throughout the Maupin corridor, with visibility pushing several feet in most runs. Water temperature of 63.9°F is right in the sweet spot for redband trout activity, well below the stress threshold and keeping fish aggressive through much of the day.

Plan for some patchy smoke in the canyon from regional fires. While the haze can be tough on visibility for anglers, the diffused light actually works in your favor — trout feel more secure rising to the surface when skies are overcast or smoky, and surface action has been productive throughout the day as a result.

Hatch Report & Fly Recommendations

It’s caddis season, and the Deschutes is delivering. The evening caddis hatch (primarily Dicosmoecus and Hydropsyche species) continues to be the main event, typically beginning around 6 PM and intensifying through dark. Swarms of caddis fluttering low over the surface bring redband rainbows and native bulls up in earnest. Fish the evening hatch with a high-floating Elk Hair Caddis (size 14–16) — it’s a must-have pattern right now. The Chubby Chernobyl in tan or orange also continues to slay fish as a late-summer attractor, especially in faster pocket water above Sherars.

Morning sessions should focus on tricos (size 20–22) and a trailing Pheasant Tail Nymph dropper off a Parachute Adams in the calmer flats between Maupin and Heritage Landing. Afternoon terrestrial fishing with a Stimulator in yellow or orange is productive in late summer as hoppers and yellow jackets fall into the current along grassy cut banks. Finish the evening out with a swung Woolly Bugger in olive or black through the tailouts for aggressive redband grabs as light fades.

Top Access Points

• Heritage Landing / Harpham Flat (above Sherars Falls): Excellent dry fly water in the flats; good caddis evening action
• Maupin City Park: Classic wade access; solid nymph water along the far bank
• Locked Gate area (below Sherars): Wilder canyon water, fewer crowds; Chubby Chernobyl country
• Mack’s Canyon Campground: Excellent float put-in/take-out; wade fishable below camp

Hazards & Closures

Sherars Falls is closed to all fishing year-round — observe the closure markers. Watch for increased drift boat traffic on summer weekends and yield to floaters on shared water. Always pack extra water; canyon temps can push 90°F by mid-afternoon in late August. Note that this is catch-and-release only for resident trout above the Pelton-Round Butte complex. Check ODFW regulations for current steelhead seasons before targeting them. Data from USGS gauge 14103000 (Moody, near Biggs), provisional and subject to revision.