Oregon ·
Owyhee River Fly Fishing Report - July 26, 2026

OWYHEE RIVER
ReportJUL 26 — AUG 2, 2026
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Flow
72CFS
OWYHEE RIVER NR ROME OR
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Water Temp
—
Updated 2026-07-25
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Weather
59–97°F
Mostly Clear
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Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
Flow is running low and clear at 72.3 cfs (gauge height 1.28 ft), well below the 141 cfs reported earlier this month — expect spooky fish and demand precise presentations. With a high of 97°F forecast today, water temps will climb fast; get on the water early or wait for evening.
What's Working — Hot Flies

Tungsten Split Case Nymph - PMD #20
#20

Stealth Link Mercer - PMD #20
#20

Parachute - Blue Wing Olive #22
#22

Juju Baetis Tungsten #22
#22

Olsen's Hare's Ear Blowtorch Barbless #20 - 28
#20

Roza's World Spain Perdigon Barbless #18 - 32
#18

Olsen's Quilldigon - Olive - Barbless #22 - 24
#22

Black Zebra Midge(TBH) #20
#20

Egan's CDC Rainbow Warrior #22
#22

Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) Tan #20
#20

Pheasant Tail Tungsten #20
#20

Tungsten Rainbow Warrior - Extra Heavy #14
#14
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midge | 20-22 | Moderate | 6 AM - 9 AM |
| PMD (Pale Morning Dun) | 18-20 | Heavy | 3 PM - 7 PM |
| PMD Spinner | 18-20 | Moderate | 7 AM - 10 AM |
| Blue Wing Olive | 22 | Light | 8 AM - 11 AM |
| Caddis | 18-20 | Light | 6 PM - 8 PM |
Best Time Window
- 6 AM - 9 AM: Early midge and PMD spinner activity in tailouts and flat pools before the heat builds.
- 3 PM - 7 PM: Prime PMD dun and emerger hatch as canyon shade cools the water; work rising fish in the seams.
- 7 PM - Dark: Caddis and late PMD spinner falls along shaded banks; switch to a CDC dry for surface-feeding trout.
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith flows at just 72.3 cfs the Owyhee is running gin-clear and low — fish will see everything, so drop down to 6X or 7X fluorocarbon and approach all holding water from downstream on your knees. During the heat of the day (11 AM - 3 PM) with a 97°F high forecast, skip the midday grind entirely and rest in the shade; water temps will be at their most stressful for trout. Focus your energy on the first two hours of light for midge and spinner activity, then return for the PMD hatch starting around 3 PM when the canyon walls begin to shade the water. Target the seam lines where fast riffle water dumps into slower pools — that's where the biggest Redband trout will stack up to intercept drifting PMD emergers.
Main Species
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
