Slow to Good Fishing on the Upper Deschutes

Deschutes River- Upper


by The Fly Fishers Place
7-4-2025
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The Upper Deschutes from Wickiup to Bull Bend has been slow for us. It is possible an evening trip would offer more than a mid-day excursion, but we haven’t gone through there that late to know for sure. 
A lot of times there is a great caddis hatch towards twilight here and it can bring a lot of fish to the top. Streamer junkies might do well at twilight too, or a dawn and being done by 10 or 11 am.

The headwater stretch of the Upper Deschutes from Crane Prairie to Little Lava Lake is good fishing and the mosquitos are still bad but more manageable than they were when the swarms were unbearable 2 weeks ago. 
Small Streamers are killer through here, as are a Perdigon Lightning Bug, Olive Perdigon, Jig 20 Incher, Dark Walts Worm (a whitefish killer) and Pheasant Tails. 
For dries you certainly want some Ants and Beetles and try some smaller Grasshoppers this week when the heat comes back. PMD and Caddis hatches are the 2 main hatches but look for stoneflies, especially Yellow Sally’s and a few Golden Stones this week too.




More Reports

The Fly Fishers Place Reports
for Friday, July 4th

Metolius River: Drakes are still necessary
McKenzie River: The McKenzie River trips are great
Deschutes River- Lower: The Lower Deschutes is fishing well
Deschutes River: The Middle Deschutes is a lot of fun

The Fly Fishers Place Reports
for Saturday, June 28th

Metolius River: Metolius River Updates
McKenzie River: Top Guide Trip Winner
Deschutes River- Lower: The Lower Deschutes is trending well
Deschutes River: The Middle Deschutes is a great place
Crooked River: Better flows and better fishing
Fall River: The Fall River is fishing nicely
Little Lava Lake: Little Lava Was Fabulous
Lava Lake: Lava Lake is still fishing well
Hosmer Lake: Hosmer Lake is good
East Lake: Callibaetis hatch fest!
Paulina Lake: Not a lot of callibaetis hatches yet
Three Creek Lake: Three Creek Lake is fishing great