Lower Deschutes River Fishing Report — November 3, 2026
Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Zebra Midge, Copper John, Woolly Bugger
Lower Deschutes River Fishing Report — November 3, 2026
Flow: 4,380 cfs (USGS Gauge 14103000, Deschutes at Moody) | Water Temp: 51°F (10.7°C) | Clarity: Clear
Current Conditions
The lower Deschutes is running at 4,380 cfs this morning — up from the mid-4,000s of mid-October as fall rains begin to influence the upper watershed. At this level the river is fully fishable, with clarity holding clear through the Maupin corridor and the reaches above and below Sherars Falls. Water temperatures have settled into the low 50s — 51°F as of this morning's USGS reading — putting Redband trout squarely in their prime fall feeding zone. Expect the most active fish through the midday window, especially on overcast afternoons when BWO hatches trigger impressive surface activity.
What's Hatching
November belongs to the Blue-Winged Olive on the lower Deschutes. Look for hatches firing between 11 AM and 3 PM on overcast, cooler days — exactly the conditions forecast for this week. Sizes run #18–20, and with fish seeing considerable pressure through the season, presentation is everything. Mahogany Duns are still putting in afternoon appearances in tailouts and slower seams, and Little Black Caddis can draw fish to the surface in the late afternoon. Below the surface, midges are active throughout the day, offering consistent sub-surface fishing when nothing is showing on top.
Top Fly Recommendations
- Parachute Adams #18–20 — a dead-ringer for BWOs and Mahogany Duns; the go-to November dry fly for Deschutes Redbands
- Elk Hair Caddis #16–18 — covers Little Black Caddis and works as a high-floating attractor in choppy runs and riffles
- Pheasant Tail Nymph #16–18 — bread-and-butter subsurface fly; dead-drift through riffles and seams for consistent action
- Zebra Midge #20–22 — essential for early mornings and evenings when nothing else is moving; fish it under a small indicator in slower pools
- Copper John #16 — heavy nymph for getting down in faster water; deadly in slots and pocket water below Sherars Falls
- Woolly Bugger #6–8 (olive or black) — strip through deeper canyon holes for aggressive Redbands; worth swinging on a downstream swing in steelhead water
Best Access Points
The Maupin city park and Heritage Flats remain the most accessible wade-fishing entry points, with excellent BWO habitat in the tailouts and back-eddies. Above Sherars Falls, Harpham Flats and Oak Springs offer quality structure. Below Sherars Falls, the canyon reaches at South Junction, Mack's Canyon, and Trout Creek provide solitude and quality fish — late fall is an ideal time to float this lower canyon before winter weather sets in. Drift boat anglers will find 4,380 cfs manageable; scout Whitehorse Rapids before committing.
Hazards & Notes
Flow is trending upward with approaching storm systems — monitor USGS gauge 14103000 before heading out. The river can rise quickly with upper-basin rain-on-snow events. Wading is manageable at current levels but use a wading staff in faster runs. Always verify current ODFW regulations, particularly gear restrictions and any late-season closures, before heading to the water.