The Crooked River below Bowman Dam is fishing steady with classic mid-summer conditions. Clear water, stable flows, and active trout and whitefish make for reliable action throughout the day. Mornings kick off with strong midge activity, and subsurface nymphing is the most consistent approach. PMD nymphs, Zebra Midges (olive, red, black), Flashback Pheasant Tails, and soft hackle variations like the Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle are all producing. Mini jig leeches and Spicy Squirrels are also worth running through deeper buckets and seams.
Dry-dropper rigs remain highly effective—try a small Chubby or X-Caddis up top with a Zebra Midge, PMD nymph, or Flashback PT below. Afternoon caddis hatches have been strong, bringing fish up in shaded runs and softer edges. Evenings have offered the best surface window, with trout sipping Caddis adults and PMD emergers.
When things quiet down, a swung soft hackle or lightly stripped leech through structure can coax bigger fish. Overall, this week offers reliable Crooked River fishing—clean drifts, small patterns, and adapting to changing light will keep rods bending.