Water flow: 268 CFS

Visibility: 10 inches

Water temperature at mid-day: 38 Degrees F

Water condition: Stained

Best time of day to fish: Mid Day to late afternoon

Best stretch: 10-15 miles located below Bowman Dam

Best access point: There are many access points on the Crooked, as the Hwy parallels the river for over 15 miles

Fly fishing hatches in order of importance:

BWO’s, PMD’s, Spotted Caddis, Green Caddis, Grannom Caddis, Midges

Fish species: Rainbow Trout and Rocky Mountain Whitefish

Fishing season: Open all year

Nearest airport: Roberts Field Airport (RDM), Redmond, Oregon

Recommended fly fishing leader: 9 Foot Leader

Recommended fly fishing tippet: 6X Tippet

Best fly fishing rod: 9′ 4 Weight Fly Rod

Best floating fly line: WF Trout Fly Line

Free Orvis Fish Sticker
Crooked River Description

CROOKED RIVER OREGON: The Crooked River offers exciting central Oregon fly fishing action for rainbow trout. The Crooked River Oregon is the best river in Central Oregon to be introduced to fly fishing. The Crooked River Oregon flows from the base of Prineville Reservoir through a deep canyon of rim rock. Wandering down from Bowman dam through this magnificent desert canyon, the Crooked River Oregon feeds the desert oasis city, known as Prineville.

From Prineville, the Crooked River Oregon continues to carve its way north, creating one of Central Oregon’s greatest attractions, Smith Rock State Park. From Smith Rock the Crooked River Oregon finishes its journey, joining two other popular central Oregon fly fishing rivers, the Metolious River and the Deschutes River at Lake Billy Chinook. Like its sisters, the Deschutes and the Metolious, the Crooked River Oregon boasts spectacular canyon views, a healthy strain of rainbow trout, and ample fly fishing excitement.

Quantity is the adjective often applied while describing fly fishing on the Crooked River Oregon. With 3000 trout per mile, it’s easy to see why this river is such a great place for newbies to the sport of central Oregon fly fishing. Not just for beginners, experts in fly fishing will enjoy casting dry flies, and catching dozens of rainbow trout. Like its sister the Deschutes River, the Crooked River Oregon is home to a unique desert rainbow trout, known as “redsides”. Averaging 8-10inches, these rainbow trout mimic their Deschutes River cousin’s power and strength. Known for eating dry flies, these beautiful trout are sure to please all who visit the banks of the Crooked River to do some Central Oregon Fly Fishing.

The Crooked River Oregon is open to fly fishing all year long, with the best fly fishing being in the spring, early summer, and fall. Like all rivers in the west, the Crooked River Oregon has prolific hatches of mayflies, midges, and caddis. Being a tail water fishery, it is also home to a variety of scud species, and breeding grounds for many sculpins. In the spring and again in the fall, and during the rainy days of the summer, while fly fishing you can expect to see great hatches of Blue Winged Olives, and Midges. As summer strengthens its grip, caddis begin to fly. Typically by Mother’s Day, caddis have made their presence well known, earning the attention of both the rainbow trout and the central oregon fly fishing community.

Fly fisher’s should concentrate their attention on the first ten miles below Bowman dam. This is where most of the fish reside. Fly fishing through runs, riffles, and pocket water will produce rainbow trout. The Crooked River Oregon offers some of the greatest pocket water fishing in Central Oregon. Anglers fly fishing through these sections of the river will be rewarded with technically fun central Oregon fly fishing. A popular way to fly fish the Crooked River is with nymphs. A small bead head (prince nymph, hare’s ear, pheasant tail, or scud) with a smaller nymph as a dropper (zebra midge, midge pupa, or a mayfly emerger) will catch trout through out the river. Swinging a Wooly Bugger is also a popular way to fly fish the Crooked; a high-risk style of fly fishing can reward the largest trout in the river.

Over all, the Crooked River is one of the greatest Central Oregon fly fishing rivers. Well suited for introducing newbies to the sport, the Crooked will not disappoint anyone looking for a quality Central Oregon Fly Fishing experience.
Techniques & Tips

Czech-style nymphing or nymphing with an indicator are excellent tactics this time of year. The dry fly fishing can be productive if you can find rising fish to make a presentation to. Our favorite dry is a Sparkle Dun, Purple Haze, Parachute Adams, Film Critic or any cripple pattern in 18-22 sizes. Our favorite droppers/nymphs are Ray Charles, Zebra Midge, WD-40, Rainbow Warrior, Pheasant Tail, and 2-Bit Hooker in 18-22 sizes. Fishing multiple flies underneath a small wool or airlock strike indicator is also effective because oftentimes the takes are very, very soft. Smaller leech and bugger patterns stripped or swung through pools and runs have been productive. Try swinging or dead drifting small soft hackles as well.
7-Day Forecast

The flows on the Crooked have been behaving for us recently. Fishing has been pretty darn good despite the extreme fluctuations in water management this winter and spring. Most of the action has been on nymphs, get out there! CONFLUENCE FLY SHOP 375 SW POWERHOUSE DRIVE, SUITE 100 BEND OREGON 97702 541-678-5633 For fly pattern recommendations and directions to the most productive stretches of water.