Oregon Fishing Reports · Central Region
From Mack's Canyon to the Columbia, the last miles of the Deschutes are a classic swing-fly steelhead canyon reached by foot, bike or boat.
Looking for the latest Mack's Canyon to the Columbia river report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the Deschutes River – Mack's Canyon to the Columbia.
Current flows
Wind forecast
Lower Deschutes River (Mack’s Canyon to the Columbia) fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
The Moody gauge reads around 4,300 cfs and clear.
Steelhead are in the lower river. Swing flies through the long runs, especially early and late in the day.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Mack's Canyon to the Columbia, bring: Woolly Bugger #4-6, Egg #8-12, Pat', s Rubber Legs #6-8, Zebra Midge #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-20, Black Beauty #20-24, Squirmy Wormie #12-14, Scud Bomb #14-16.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Lower Deschutes River (Mack’s Canyon to the Columbia) details
| Access | Deschutes River State Recreation Area at the mouth, with an old rail trail upstream. Mack's Canyon is reached by road from Maupin. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 200 to 600 ft |
| Nearest town | Maupin, Oregon |
| Best season | Summer and fall |
| Fish | Steelhead, plus redband trout |
| Regulations | Fishing from a boat is not allowed on the lower Deschutes. Steelhead and salmon rules change often in season. Check the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations and in-season changes before you go. An Oregon angling license is required for anglers 12 and older, plus a combined tag for steelhead and salmon. |
| Leaders and tippet | Sink tips or floating lines with 2X to 3X tippet |
| Camping | Deschutes River State Recreation Area and Mack's Canyon |
| Kids | No. Long hikes and big water. |
| Good to know | Wind blows hard up the canyon in the afternoon. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Cold.
Spring
High water.
Summer
Summer steelhead.
Fall
Fall steelhead.
How to get there
From Portland, take I-84 east to the Deschutes River State Recreation Area near Biggs.