Fall River Oregon Hatch Chart

Central Oregon, in the Deschutes National Forest southeast of Bend near La Pine. The Fall River is one of the finest spring creeks in the Pacific Northwest - a short, cold, gin-clear stream emerging from springs along its upper reaches and flowing northwest to its confluence with the Deschutes River. The consistent spring-fed flows maintain water temperatures near 48-52 degrees year-round, producing a technical, demanding fishery for wild rainbow trout in a beautiful ponderosa pine setting.

Check current Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations before you go. The Fall River has strict special regulations including artificial lures and flies only and catch-and-release throughout. Regulations are in place to protect the wild fish population - verify current rules before fishing and handle fish with care.

Shop by type: dry flies, nymphs, Euro nymphs, hoppers and terrestrials.

The river

The Fall River is short - approximately 12 miles from its spring headwaters to the Deschutes confluence - and intimate, averaging 20-30 feet wide through most of its fishable length. The upper river above Fall River Falls is a classic spring creek character: slow, flat, crystal-clear water over weed beds with fish that can see everything and refuse most offerings. The lower river below the falls is slightly faster and more varied but shares the same demanding presentation requirements.

Wild rainbow trout are the only species - no hatchery fish, no browns, no brookies. The fish are educated, selective, and superb - a 12-inch Fall River rainbow that has inspected and refused a dozen fly changes before finally eating a size 22 midge cluster is worth more than most fish twice its size on easier water. This is technical dry-fly and nymph fishing at its most demanding.

The Fall River's defining characteristic is its clarity. In the flat upper sections you can see individual fish holding in the current lanes and watch them respond to your fly - or decline it. Long fine tippets (5X minimum, 6X and 7X for the fussiest fish), precise presentations, and the patience to observe before casting are the keys to consistent success. Approach from downstream, stay low, and cast to specific fish rather than covering water.

Year at a glance

Month Primary hatches Also carry Typical sizes
Jan Midges Small nymphs 20-26
Feb Midges, BWO Small nymphs 18-24
Mar BWO, midges Early caddis BWO 16-20, midge 20-24
Apr BWO, midges, caddis Pale evening dun start BWO 16-20, midge 20-24
May PMD, caddis, BWO Pale evening dun, midges PMD 16-18, caddis 14-16
Jun PMD, trico, caddis Pale evening dun, midges PMD 16-18, trico 20-24
Jul Trico, PMD, caddis Ants, beetles, midges Trico 20-24, PMD 16-18
Aug Trico, caddis, midges Ants, beetles, pale evening dun Trico 20-24, caddis 14-16
Sep BWO, trico, midges Mahogany dun, caddis BWO 16-20, trico 20-24
Oct BWO, midges Mahogany dun, October caddis BWO 16-20, midge 20-24
Nov Midges, BWO Small nymphs 20-24
Dec Midges Small nymphs 20-26

January

The Fall River is a year-round fishery and January is midge season. The constant spring temperature keeps fish active and feeding through the coldest months - a significant advantage over nearby freestone streams. Fish hold in the slower current lanes and weed bed edges, sipping midge pupae and adults with minimal energy expenditure. January on the Fall River is quiet, meditative, and productive for the angler with patience and a well-stocked midge box.

  • Midges - 20-26. Red zebra midge and small Euro nymphs subsurface. Midge cluster or Griffith's Gnat dry when fish are dimpling.
  • Small nymphs 18-22 in the slower current seams adjacent to weed beds.

February

BWO begin appearing on overcast afternoons in February - the spring-fed stability of the Fall River makes it an early BWO stream. Midges continue throughout. February BWO hatches on the Fall River can produce outstanding dry-fly fishing in the flat upper sections with fish rising consistently and virtually no other anglers present. Long tippets and careful presentations are essential - these fish have seen everything.

March

BWO hatches strengthen through March and become the primary dry-fly event. The ponderosa pine canopy along the river creates shade that extends hatch duration even on partially sunny days. Early caddis begin by late month on the lower, slightly faster sections. Midges remain the subsurface anchor throughout. March is an excellent month to visit - good hatches, minimal pressure, and the forest setting before summer crowds arrive.

  • BWO - 16-20. Parachute BWO and CDC Baetis emerger on overcast afternoons.
  • Midges throughout. Red zebra midge subsurface.
  • Late March: first caddis - 14-16 on the lower sections.

April

BWO continue through April and pale evening duns begin by mid-month on the flatter upper sections - the Fall River is one of the earlier PED rivers in Oregon due to its spring-fed temperatures. Caddis build on the lower sections. Midges remain important throughout. April is transitional but productive - multiple hatches and lighter pressure than the summer peak.

  • BWO - 16-20. Parachute BWO on overcast afternoons.
  • Midges throughout. Red zebra midge subsurface.
  • Caddis - 14-16 evenings on lower sections. Elk hair caddis.
  • Pale evening dun - 16-18 beginning mid-month on flat upper sections.

May

Prime season opens in May. PMDs begin in earnest and are the Fall River's signature summer hatch - morning hatches in the flat upper sections with large fish rising selectively in clear water. Caddis evenings on the lower river. Pale evening duns add an evening option on the upper sections. BWO on overcast days. Midges subsurface throughout. May is one of the best months on the Fall River - full hatch activity, good temperatures, and lighter crowds than June and July.

  • PMD - 16-18. Pale Morning Dun mornings in the flat upper sections. Fine tippet essential.
  • Caddis - 14-16 evenings on lower sections. Elk hair.
  • Pale evening dun - 16-18 evenings on flat water.
  • BWO on overcast days. Parachute BWO.

June

The trico hatch begins in June and quickly becomes the defining hatch of the Fall River summer - an early morning spinner fall over the flat upper sections that produces some of the most technical and rewarding dry-fly fishing in Oregon. Tricos are tiny (size 20-24), the spinner falls are dense, and the fish are extremely selective. This is match-the-hatch fishing at its most demanding. PMDs continue through the morning after the trico spinner fall. Caddis evenings. Pale evening duns. The Fall River in June is a fly fishing destination for serious dry-fly anglers.

  • Trico - 20-24. Early morning spinner fall over the flat upper sections. 6X-7X tippet required. See dry flies.
  • PMD - 16-18. Pale Morning Dun mid-morning after the trico spinner fall.
  • Caddis - 14-16 evenings. Elk hair.
  • Pale evening dun - 16-18 evenings on flat water.

July

Trico season peaks in July - the spinner falls on the upper Fall River on a calm July morning are extraordinary, with dense clouds of spinners and fish rising consistently across the flat for hours. Arrive early, find your fish before they start rising, and be ready with a size 22 spinner pattern on 6X before the fall begins. PMDs continue later in the morning. Ants and beetles midday. Caddis evenings. The constant spring temperature keeps the Fall River fishing well through summer heat when nearby rivers suffer.

  • Trico - 20-24. The peak of the season. Early morning spinner fall. Fine tippet, careful presentation, specific fish.
  • PMD - 16-18 mid-morning. Pale Morning Dun.
  • Ants and beetles midday from hoppers and terrestrials.
  • Caddis - 14-16 evenings. Elk hair.

August

Trico spinner falls continue through August on the upper sections - still the best reason to be on the Fall River in the morning. Caddis evenings remain reliable. Pale evening duns linger on calm evenings on the upper flats. Ants and beetles midday. The Fall River's cold spring temperature is at its greatest advantage in August - fish remain active and feeding throughout the day when other central Oregon streams are suffering from summer heat stress.

  • Trico - 20-24 early morning. Fine tippet. Spinner fall on upper flat sections.
  • Caddis - 14-16 evenings. Elk hair.
  • Pale evening dun - 16-18 on calm evenings. See dry flies.
  • Ants and beetles midday. Hoppers and terrestrials.
  • Midges - 20-26 subsurface throughout. Red zebra midge.

September

September is the finest month on the Fall River. Tricos continue through mid-month. BWO return strongly with the cooling air temperatures - the fall olive hatches on the Fall River's clear flat water produce outstanding technical dry-fly fishing. Mahogany duns add an afternoon option on overcast days. Crowds drop after Labor Day. The combination of trico mornings, BWO afternoons, and caddis evenings in September makes the Fall River one of the best single-destination rivers in Oregon for a multi-day trip.

  • Trico through mid-September - early morning spinner fall. Fine tippet.
  • BWO - 16-20. Parachute BWO and CDC Baetis emerger on overcast afternoons.
  • Mahogany dun - 14-16 on overcast afternoons.
  • Caddis evenings. Elk hair.

October

Fall BWO fishing strengthens through October and the Fall River is at its most uncrowded. Dense afternoon hatches in the flat upper sections with selective, unpressured fish. Mahogany duns overlap with the olives on overcast days. October caddis on the lower sections. Midges reassert themselves as temperatures drop. October on the Fall River is genuinely outstanding - one of the finest fall dry-fly fisheries in central Oregon.

  • BWO - 16-20. The dominant hatch. Parachute BWO and CDC Baetis emerger.
  • Mahogany dun - 14-16 on overcast afternoons.
  • October caddis - 8-10 on warmer afternoons on the lower sections.
  • Midges - 20-26 throughout. Red zebra midge subsurface.

November

BWO and midges as the season winds down. The Fall River fishes on mild November days with virtually no other anglers - the spring temperature keeps fish active long after nearby freestone streams have gone cold. November afternoon BWO hatches on the upper flats with rising fish and complete solitude is the Fall River at its most special.

  • BWO - 16-20 on overcast afternoons. Parachute BWO.
  • Midges - 20-26 throughout. Red zebra midge subsurface.
  • Small nymphs in the slower current seams.

December

Back to the midge program. The Fall River's constant spring temperature keeps fish active year-round. December fishing is quiet, meditative, and surprisingly productive for the angler who makes the drive. Focus on the slower current lanes and weed bed edges - fish are present and feeding, just deliberate. The ponderosa forest in winter light is worth the trip alone.

  • Midges - 20-26. Red zebra midge and small nymphs subsurface. Midge cluster dry when fish are dimpling.
  • BWO on overcast afternoons. Parachute BWO.

A western dry and nymph assortment covers the core season. Add a dedicated midge and trico selection - the Fall River demands small flies and fine tippets year-round. Bring 5X, 6X, and 7X fluorocarbon. The Fall River is not a river for beginners, but it is one of the most rewarding spring creek dry-fly fisheries in the Pacific Northwest for the angler willing to slow down and fish it properly.