Oregon ·
Deschutes River Fly Fishing Report - May 31, 2026
DESCHUTES RIVER
ReportMAY 31 — JUN 7, 2026
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Flow
4380CFS
DESCHUTES RIVER AT MOODY, NEAR BIGGS, OR
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Water Temp
59.9°F
Updated 2026-05-30
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Weather
46–79°F
Mostly Clear
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Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
The Deschutes is running at 4,380 cfs and 59.9°F (USGS gauge at Moody) — textbook stonefly conditions with the Salmonfly front surging toward Warm Springs and Golden Stones overlapping heavily through the canyon. Sunny skies and highs in the low 70s this weekend will keep bugs flying midday through afternoon, with a light SW wind Monday making for ideal dry-fly presentations.
What's Working — Hot Flies
Tungsten Pat's Rubber Legs - Tan & Brown #6
#6
Olsen's Straggle Stone Brown Barbless #12
#12
Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Jig - Barbless #12
#12
Roza's World Spain Perdigon Barbless #18
#18
Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig - Olive #12
#12
Tungsten Split Case Nymph - PMD #20
#20
Carlson's Purple Haze (Poly Wing) #18
#18
Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) Tan #20
#20
Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) Olive #20
#20
Egan's GTI Caddis - Olive #12
#12
Parachute - Blue Wing Olive #22
#22
Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #6
#6
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmonfly (Pteronarcys californica) | #4–6 | 🔥 Peak — hatch front pushing Maupin toward Warm Springs; fish tight to banks | Midday–Afternoon |
| Golden Stonefly | #8–10 | 🔥 Heavy — overlapping with Salmonflies, extending the big-dry window | Midday–Late Afternoon |
| Tan Caddis | #14–16 | 🔥 Strong — thick afternoon and evening flights throughout the canyon | Afternoon–Dusk |
| Pale Morning Dun (PMD) | #16–18 | ✅ Active — slower side channels and flat tailouts | Late Morning–Afternoon |
| Pale Evening Dun (PED) | #12–14 | ✅ Active — Middle Deschutes and lower canyon flat water | Late Afternoon–Evening |
| Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) | #18–22 | ⚡ Moderate — best emergence on overcast mornings | Morning & Cloudy Periods |
Best Time Window
- Early Morning (6–9 AM): Low light triggers BWO emergences in the flats and redsides rise freely before boat traffic builds — ideal for technical dry-fly work with a Parachute BWO or Purple Haze.
- Midday–Afternoon (11 AM–3 PM): Peak Salmonfly and Golden Stone activity; fish tight to the banks with big stonefly dries or nymph deep through boulder runs when surface action cools under direct sun.
- Late Afternoon–Dusk (4 PM–Dark): Canyon walls shade the water early, triggering a strong second feeding window — the caddis and Pale Evening Dun flights intensify and redsides rise aggressively in the tailouts and slower runs.
Guide's Tip
From the benchMaster the sidearm presentation — Deschutes redsides during the Salmonfly hatch are holding within inches of overhanging willows and rocky shorelines, and a fly landing more than 2 feet off the bank will largely be ignored. Work your loop low and sidearm to shoot the fly tight to the cover, and use 3X or 4X tippet for big stonefly dries because takes are explosive and you need the strength to turn fish quickly in heavy current. When the big-dry bite cools under bright midday sun, don't pack up — switch to a tungsten stonefly nymph fished deep through the boulder runs, or drop down to a Golden Stone or caddis pattern to unlock fish that have seen too many large orange foam flies. Time your approach to be on the water during the low-light morning window and again from 4 PM through dusk, when canyon walls shade the river and the second feeding window can be every bit as productive as the morning.
Main Species
Redband Rainbow Trout
Steelhead
Brown Trout
