The river above Benham Falls will close after October 31, but the remainder below will stay open the year round. Streamers are a great bet in this stretch of river and some big browns are caught each year.

posted by FFO Crew

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October 06 . 11

Closed for the season!

The upper river above Crane is closed for the Season. The River below Wickiup to Benham falls is open until October 31st. Below Benham falls the river remains open throughout the year. Streamers are the best bet in the river at and above town. Sink tips are the best option, but weighted streamers and floating lines can get the job done in certain spots. Cover the water and look to undercuts banks, logs and any in stream structure to hold fish. The Browns will ambush their prey from these holding spots.

posted by FFO Crew

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September 19 . 11

A bit of water!

The upper Deschutes is flowing at a high rate at the moment. The snow melts have provided lots of water for this little river. The fishing has been tough because of this. Most of your drifts are going to be zipping through, so find the softest water possible to allow the fish a shot at your offering. There is only a little time left before this area closes, so if you like those Brookies get out while you can. The pressure has been light because of the flows, so expect some solitude if you get away from the roadside spots. Heavy nymphs or streamers will provide the best shots st a bigger fish.

posted by FFO Crew

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September 05 . 11

of 3

The evening hatch

Made an evening run to the Upper Deschutes tonight, somewhere between Bend and Wickiup. I hadn't been on this particular piece of water in a few years and figured I was due. Fortunately the thunderstorms held off and the evening was beautiful. A strong hatch of PMDs and little yellow stones came off as the sun was setting and got the fish interested in surface offerings. The browns and rainbows were mostly in the 8"-12" range with a few larger fish also taking interest in my parachute PMD. Good times!

posted by Neal Burrell

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August 29 . 11

Still a lot of water

The Upper D is still flowing high, especially for this time of year. The fishing has not been as good as expected, but there are a few finding willing brookies. The big boys are tough here, as they see a fair amount of pressure. Think early in the day and think heavy, quick sinking flies. The little guys have been pricked a bunch this year, but good presentations will still get some fish on top. There is only a month left here, so if you like Brook trout in a mountain setting, this is it.

posted by FFO Crew

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July 28 . 11

of 3

Upper D with the Family

The Upper Deschutes is a great place for the kids. My brother Jeff and I took his oldest son Tyler and my daughter Ellie out on the river a couple night ago. The dry fly fishing was as expected for this stretch of river... Tons of little Bows and Brookies. The constant action was just the ticket to keep there intrest. The big suprise was the presence of large Stoneflies.

posted by Scott Cook

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July 22 . 11

Upper D Brookiefest

There are lots of Brook trout being caught here, but most are of the smaller variety. This is a great place for the 2wt and small dries. There are some big bruisers, but they are taking prime residence in the treed structure or under the cut banks. Sinking streamers or heavy stone type nymphs might just get you a big boy, but be careful not to lose too many flies in the woody debris. Good fly choices for the surface include, PMD's, caddis, Mosquitoes or Griffith Gnat's. The sub surface stuff might include, a tungsten twenty incher, double beaded peacock stone or a sculpin pattern like the Sculpzilla.

posted by Dave Kalinowski

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Upper Deschutes

The Upper Deschutes River, Oregon: Easing its way from Little Lava Lake through the tall canopies of the Ponderosas, the Upper Deschutes River changes its Read More... character at every turn. Spring creek beginnings offer tremendous walk and wade opportunities for eager Brook, Brown and Rainbow trout on a fly. Incredible flora and fauna abound, home to Rocky Mountain Elk, soaring Bald Eagles, and wild flowers from the brush of Monet. This section offers some of the summer's most intimate dry fly fishing. From here, river flows south creating two significant impoundments; Crane Prairie and Wickiup Reservoirs. These two vast reservoirs offer up the areas most significant populations of monstrous lake released Rainbow and Brown Trout. Then the river spills from Wickiup creating the only opportunity to fish from a boat on the entire Deschutes River. This section meanders through vast meadows featuring long "cut-banks" and island braids to challenge the anglers casting abilities. This stretch fishes dries both early and late with the bulk of the day hunting down large carnivores lurking under the banks casting large streamers. The Upper Deschutes River, Oregon has easy access either by foot, boat or SUV. The scenery is just short of magnificent and the fishing is spectacular. It�s located less than an hour from Bend and minutes from Sunriver making it ideal for a half or a full day outing.

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Guides / Staff & Guest Authors

Dave Kalinowski

Fished a steelhead river that doesn't start with a D. Skated up a beautiful wild fish from one of the most special rivers in OR. Great Day
- 154 days ago

Heading to the Columbia again. Hopefully some hard fightin' fish in my future. See ya in a few days.
- 172 days ago

Recent Posts

Upper Deschutes

Today:
Sunny, with a high near 38. Southeast wind between 7 and 9 mph.

Feb 03

Friday

38°

21°

Sunny

Winds: 9 mph

Humidity: 84%

Dew Point: 17°

Chance Precip: 0%

Feb 04

Saturday

40°

23°

Mostly Clear

Winds: 8 mph

Humidity: 80%

Dew Point: 17°

Chance Precip: 0%

Feb 05

Sunday

43°

22°

Partly Cloudy

Winds: 5 mph

Humidity: 77%

Dew Point: 18°

Chance Precip: 3%

Feb 06

Monday

41°

25°

Partly Cloudy

Winds: 6 mph

Humidity: 89%

Dew Point: 19°

Chance Precip: 3%

Feb 07

Tuesday

38°

25°

Partly Cloudy

Winds: 8 mph

Humidity: 90%

Dew Point: 22°

Chance Precip: 12%

Close Forecast

Upper Deschutes

March Brown

Pheasant Tail Nymph

12-16

Morning /
Afternoon

Flick March Brown

12-14

Afternoon

American March Brown

12-14

Afternoon

Blue-Winged Olive

Pheasant Tail Nymph

16-18

Morning /
Afternoon

Parachute Adams

16-18

Morning /
Afternoon

Para Wulff BWO

16-18

Morning /
Afternoon

Hi Vis Para BWO

16-18

Morning /
Afternoon

Compara Dun Purple

16-18

Morning /
Afternoon

Pale Morning Dun

Pheasant Tail Nymph

16-18

Morning /
Afternoon

Hares Ear Nymph

16-18

Morning /
Afternoon

Parachute PMD

16-18

Morning /
Afternoon

Hi Vis Para BWO

16-18

Morning /
Afternoon

Para Wulff BWO

16-18

Morning /
Afternoon

Spotted Sedge

Hares Ear Nymph

14-16

Mid Day /
Evening

Sparkle Pupa

14-16

Evening

Olive Elk Hair

14-16

Evening

Rock Worm Caddis

Serendipity Olive (Larva)

14-16

Mid Day /
Evening

Sparkle Pupa Apple

14-16

Mid Day /
Evening

Olive Elk Hair

14-16

Evening

Cream Stonefly

Hares Ear

10-12

Mid Day /
Evening

Trinas Carnage Tan

Mid Day /
Evening

Henry's Fork Golden

Mid Day /
Evening

Green Drake

Hairs Ear Nymph

10-12

Mid Day /
Evening

Extended Body Drake

10-12

Mid Day /
Evening

Green Drake Wulff

10-12

Mid Day /
Evening

Trina's Carnage Drake

10-12

Mid Day /
Evening

Ant

Blk Flying Ant

Mid Day

Close Fly Chart

Upper Deschutes

Location	Graphs	Stage	Flow	Time

Upper Deschutes/Benham Falls	7 day 30 day 120 Day	4.13	1409	1:00 am

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Upper Deschutes/Benham Falls 7 Day

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Upper Deschutes/Benham Falls 30 Day

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See ya in the spring!

Until next year

Closed for the season!

A bit of water!

The evening hatch

Still a lot of water

Upper D with the Family

Upper D Brookiefest

Upper Deschutes

Gallery

Guides / Staff & Guest Authors

Dave Kalinowski

Chris Lundberg

Dave Merrick

Glenn & Janie Cook

Upper Deschutes

Upper Deschutes

March Brown

Blue-Winged Olive

Pale Morning Dun

Spotted Sedge

Rock Worm Caddis

Cream Stonefly

Green Drake

Ant

Upper Deschutes

Upper Deschutes/Benham Falls 7 Day

Upper Deschutes/Benham Falls 30 Day

Upper Deschutes/Benham Falls 120 Day