Guide Trip Destination Spotlight: Fly Fishing the Crooked River

The Crooked River is a Central Oregon fly fishing destination with everything, whether you prefer casting small dries, fishing streamers, or tight-line nymphing. The river is a beautifully accessible trout stream in the reaches directly below the dam before shifting to a rugged canyon country closer to Lake Billy Chinook.

When booking a trip to the Crooked, expect gorgeous desert canyon views, bird sightings, and possible wildlife encounters. A hearty lunch is provided on our full-day outings, any water or soda, and waders and boots if needed.

A quality native Crooked River Redband

Fly Angler's Playground

The river is no secret, and it is a well-loved hotspot for fly anglers in Central Oregon, particularly at the uppermost access point, Big Bend Campground. On summer days, you might see that section fill up with dozens of cars of people eager to cast a line, which is slightly mystifying because if you go downstream, you might encounter a fraction of that number on a couple of mile-long stretch.

It can pay to take a nice walk if you want to explore harder-to-reach sections of the river, but the canyon's beauty follows it the entire way and you will never be without a good view.

The Crooked River is a guide's dream for instructing clients on various gear, tackle, and techniques due to the approachable summer flow, numerous trout and whitefish, and intimate small water experience. If you are looking for a trip that lends itself to working through water, understanding where fish hold, and how to match the hatch the Crooked is the number one option.

Tricky currents, boulder fields, and classic riffles make it a fly angler's dream when it comes to controlling your drift and presenting flies to native redband trout. Anglers will not find themselves making the same cast over and over again on this river; each bend has a unique water structure that will test your skills and most likely reward you with a beautiful fish with the right presentation.

Prineville Reservoir to 8 miles Downstream

The Lower Crooked River is a 61-mile-long section that starts at Bowman Dam before entering Lake Billy Chinook, then becomes the Lower Deschutes. The Crooked has quite a few personalities as it makes its way downstream. Below the dam, the water is ice cold all summer long, which makes for great fish and bug habitat. The fish are most plentiful in this section, attracting the mo anglers.

Most of my guide trips occur on this stretch because the ease of access is fantastic, and there is plenty of water for everyone to share. The canyon surrounds you while fishing, but the banks are easy enough to walk on and relatively flat. But like any river, the rocks are slick, so make sure to have adequate wading gear.

Dry eater on the Crooked

The hatches are exceptional on this section of the river due to consistent water temperatures throughout spring and fall. Pale Morning Duns are my favorite during late June-September as the fish go crazy for them with surface and sub-surface action as soon as the sun starts to warm the water.

But the list goes on: midges, blue-winged olives, caddis, and terrestrials are all on the menu. The Crooked is a great place to work on "matching the hatch" because there is a huge variety of small invertebrates in the water that hatch simultaneously, and size, color, and species can make a big difference between catching all the little guys and finding the healthy spunky redbands. The small fish outnumber the big ones, but that does not mean they are not catchable, it just takes knowing where to find them and what they are eating.

Prineville Downstream to Lake Billy Chinook

The section below the public lands adjacent to the dam is not nearly as fished or popular for anglers. The access is much tougher due to private landowners, and the river is drawn down for irrigation for farmers and ranchers. The Crooked River suffers from drought due to the water rights being directly controlled by ranchers.

The first year I moved to Oregon, the dam release measured less than 50 cfs for an entire winter and caused a large fish and insect kill. Since then, the reservoir levels have returned to normal due to favorable winter conditions, and the fishing improved significantly. This last season, there was an uptick in fish numbers and a good assortment of fish sizes.

Through Prineville and Smith Rock State Park, the fishing is unpredictable, and the water is slow and warm in the summer. If pikeminnow gets you excited, this is your zone, but if trout are your quarry, then find a new zone. But the river changes as it crosses Highway 97 and descends to Billy Chinook. Spring influence helps rejuvenate the river, and a few places offer fun fishing during the spring to fall months, depending on the flows.

The river clarity is murky when released from the dam and nearly the entire distance to the lake. Opal Springs Hydro Dam stands in the way and holds back the murky water in a small reservoir, utilizing Opal Spring, a large underground source of clean water, as a drinking water source. A large amount of spring water changes the composition of the river entirely for the rest of the journey to Billy Chinook, giving it a crystal clear appearance in stark contrast to the tannic look in the upper and middle sections of the river. Each section of the Crooked is unique and fun to explore. Find a trail or pullout along the river and explore this intimate trout stream or book a trip with me and learn some tips and techniques for effectively fishing the river.

Take a Trip on the Crooked with Me

I'll pack the gear, tie the flies, and bring the lunches for a fun exploring the Crooked River Canyon. Whether you are a local looking to learn your home waters a little better or a complete beginner wetting a line for the first time, the Crooked River is an exceptional experience, and an underrated trip for those addicted to the sport.

The Crooked can sometimes be overshadowed by the Deschutes but the intimate small stream feel can't be beat as the mayflies start hatching and trout sip them off the surface mere feet from you. Contact the Fly Fisher's Place or myself for more information regarding the trip options. Tightlines!