Upper D Report - 9/25/26

The Upper Deschutes is entering the final days of its fishing season, with cooler nights and shorter days continuing to push the river into its fall pattern. Fish remain spread throughout the system offering opportunities for brook trout and whitefish, while deeper bends, undercut banks, and woody structure remain good areas to focus on farther downstream.

The late-season hatch mix remains fairly broad. BWOs, PMDs, Tricos, and caddis are all worth having available, with Mahogany Duns becoming increasingly relevant as fall settles in. Ants and beetles can still provide opportunities during warmer afternoons, while cooler and overcast periods should increasingly favor the smaller fall mayflies.

Subsurface fishing remains steady with Perdigons, smaller mayfly nymphs, caddis nymphs, Hare's Ears, and egg patterns all worth having in the rotation. Streamer fishing continues to be a good option around deeper bends, undercut banks, and woody structure as we move further into fall. September 30 is the final day to fish the Upper Deschutes above Benham Falls before the seasonal closure begins October 1.

Recommended Flies.

BWO Sparkle Dun (#18-20)
PMD Film Critic (#16-18)
Trico Spinner (#18-22)
Mahogany Dun (#16)
Flying Ant (#14-16)
Spanish Bullet (#16-18)
Jig Split Case PMD (#16-18)
Hare's Ear (#14-16)
Glo Bug (#10-14)
Olive Sculpzilla (#6-10)