The Crooked River is in perfect winter flows at 100 cfs

Crooked River - Prineville, OR


by The Fly Fishers Place
1-9-2026
Website

The Crooked River is in perfect winter flows at 100 cfs. Water is cold but not crazy with the icing on the edges and the fish hunkered down to the bottom like some winters. (yet).
Look for dry fly activity down river closer to the MP 12 area later in the afternoon, and possible right up to dusk. This is technical dry fly action, a 6x or even 7x tippet will serve you well coupled with a long light butted leader. With the month of January adding 50 minutes of daylight in Central Oregon you can enjoy some nice dry fly fishing on the Crooked in weather like this from 2 to 4:00 and later in the month maybe to 4:30 or so.
Have you been trying any drop shot nymphing out here? In the slow runs it is a very good way to put a small nymph where it needs to be.
Euro techniques and NZ Wool or tiny Oros indicators are all good methods and set ups too.
A tiny Black or Purple Perdigon, Zebra in Black or Red, Frenchie, 2 Bit, Skinny Nelson and some little Slum Lords and Squirrel Jigs will be good for you this week.