Hatch-chart pattern list
Best Flies for Deschutes River (Oregon)
The Deschutes River in Oregon fishes as both a wade and a float. It is a tailwater fishery for Rainbow Trout (Redsides) and Summer Steelhead, with the most reliable window in May, June, July. The patterns below are matched to the hatch chart we publish for this water. They are not a live report of what other anglers caught this week.
What's hatching now
Month, insect, size, and pattern from the Deschutes River hatch chart. August is highlighted when that month exists in the chart. We do not invent a hatch that is not on the chart.
| Month | Insect | Size | Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | Salmonfly | #4-8 | Chubby Chernobyl, Pat's Rubber Legs, Norm Wood Special |
| Golden Stonefly | #6-10 | Yellow Stimulator, Golden Stone Dry | |
| July | Pale Morning Dun | #14-18 | PMD Sparkle Dun, PMD Cripple |
| Caddis | #14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, Goddard Caddis | |
| October | October Caddis | #6-10 | Orange Stimulator, October Caddis |
| Blue-winged Olive | #16-20 | Parachute BWO, RS2 |
Nymphs
Subsurface patterns matched to this river's chart and catalog. Fish them at the size the chart lists, not the size that looks good in the bin.
Dries
Dries and terrestrials for the Deschutes River. If the chart says a size 18 PMD, do not start with a 12.
Streamers
Streamers and wets for stained water, banks, and low light. This is not a claim that streamers are "on" today.
No catalog patterns in this group yet. Use the hatch chart and the river guide.
Setup
5X and 6X fluorocarbon on nymphs, 5X on dries unless the fish are on Tricos, then 6X or 7X. Start lighter than your home river. One small tungsten and a long tag often beats a 3.5mm bead in clear water. Tight-line the near bank and the heads of pockets. Use an indicator only when you need to search water you cannot euro.
FAQ
- What flies work on the Deschutes River?
- Start with Beadhead Caddis Pupa and Egan's GTi Caddis, then match size to the hatch chart for the month you are standing in. The Deschutes River does not need a 40-pattern box. It needs the right size on the insect that is actually in the drift.
- When is the best time to fly fish the Deschutes River?
- The editorial window we list is May, June, July, August, September, October. That is a planning month range, not a guarantee. Shoulder months can fish well if flows and water temperature cooperate.
- Do I need a guide on the Deschutes River?
- Oregon has walk-up wade water and, on some sections, float water. A guide is worth it for a first float or a technical tailwater. A hatch chart and a gauge are enough for a first wade if you already nymph. We list local guides and shops on this page when we have them.
- Where can I see live flow for the Deschutes River?
- Open the Deschutes River river page for the USGS gauge, access notes, and the same hatch chart this fly list is built from. We do not publish other people's spots or fish counts.
- Is this a report of what's working now on the Deschutes River?
- No. Executive Angler does not publish other anglers' catches, GPS, or a crowdsourced hot fly. This page is hatch-chart patterns plus catalog flies. Presence on the river page is gauge and weather only.
Related
Deschutes River
Access, hatch chart, USGS gauge.
Oregon
Trip planning for this region.
Beadhead Caddis Pupa
Nymph
Egan's GTi Caddis
Nymph
Egan's Corn-Fed Caddis
Dry
Sarah Whitfield — Deschutes River Outfitters
Ashland Fly Shop
Ashland, OR
Cascade Guides & Outfitters
Fossil, OR
Grande Ronde River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
John Day River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
McKenzie River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Metolius River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.