Healthy populations of rainbow trout and growing returns of steelhead inhabit the Lower Deschutes River. This spectacular river rambles through an immense canyon, dropping sharply in spots creating exciting whitewater opportunities. Besides great fishing, the Deschutes is home for wildlife, including Bald eagles, Osprey, Blue Heron, Big Horn sheep, Mule deer, playful Otters and of course strong rainbow trout …

and summer steelhead!

The Lower Deschutes boasts some of Oregon’s finest fishing for rainbow trout. Known locally as Redsides, these native fish grow thick shouldered and extremely powerful for their size. Averaging 14-16 inches, and topping out around 21 inches. This unique strain of trout is notorious for their strength and acrobatics.
Open to fishing all year, the Lower Deschutes is home to many species of insects, which hatch to Biblical proportions. May marks the famous Stone fly hatch, which lasts through the first weeks of June. These huge bugs prove to be the ultimate meal for the trout, which eat them with recklessness. Anglers who fish during this hatch will be rewarded with the largest, hottest rainbow trout of the season. Like all rivers, the Deschutes has ever-changing hatches, creating great dry fly opportunities through out the year.
The Deschutes River is equally famous for its Summer Steelhead run. These anadromous fish begin migrating from the Pacific in July. As the weather cools in September, the steelhead respond. Steelhead this time of the season are notorious risers to surface presentations, which will leave your heart racing. October is a best month to catch a steelhead. The weather is pleasant, and fish can be caught in the entire river.

If you enjoy fly fishing for feisty rainbow trout and powerful steelhead, the Deschutes River is an experience you can’t afford to neglect.