Oregon Fishing Reports ยท Eastern Region
Below Owyhee Dam, the Owyhee is a remote desert tailwater with wild browns that grow large on midges, sow bugs and BWOs.
Looking for the latest Owyhee 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 Owyhee River (below the dam).
Current flows
Wind forecast
Owyhee River fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
The gauge below the dam reads under 30 cfs, a low winter release. Fish are concentrated in the deeper pools.
Midges and sow bugs before the fog lifts, BWOs midday, and a small sculpin pattern late in the afternoon.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Below Owyhee Dam, bring: Zebra Midge #18-22, Kaufmann', s Scud #14-16, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Parachute Adams #18-22, Woolly Bugger #6-8, RS2 Emerger #18-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-20, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Owyhee River details
| Access | Owyhee Dam Road follows the river below the dam, with pullouts. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 2,300 ft |
| Nearest town | Adrian, Oregon |
| Best season | Fall through spring |
| Fish | Brown trout |
| Regulations | 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 | 9 to 12 ft leaders, 5X to 6X tippet |
| Camping | BLM camping along the river |
| Kids | Partly. |
| Good to know | Very remote. No cell service. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Midges.
Spring
BWOs.
Summer
Hot and weedy.
Fall
BWOs and browns.
How to get there
From Ontario, take US-20/26 and State Highway 201 south to Adrian, then Owyhee Dam Road.