Columbia Gorge Fishing Report – March 3, 2026

Winter Steelhead

It feels like we’ve been waiting for winter to materialize for a few months now, but it doesn’t seem to be happening. Water levels have been up and down, but mostly down. We’ve got a little rain in the forecast, which will be great.

We’re already getting into winter steelhead crunch time. Call it approximately six good weeks to go. The abbreviated timeline certainly helps the angler to some degree. Many of the fish that haven’t run upriver yet will do so in the next few weeks.

Water temperatures will likely be good and just keep getting better. Warmer water in the back half of the month definitely equates to snappier fish on the swing.

It’s easy to fish really hard during the first half of the winter and burn out, but a lot of the best fishing happens in the fourth quarter. Get out there and give it a try in the beautiful weather!

Practical Reminders

• Monitor river levels and trends. Rising or dropping water can matter more than a single number.
• Adjust sink tips and fly size to match the water speed and clarity.
• Cover the run methodically, including the inside and softer water, before reaching for long casts.

Deschutes Trout

Trout reports from the Deschutes have been quite good lately. It’s been incredibly mild, and the water temperature is much more favorable than it could be in early March. The river is in great shape, and things are happening!

There’s a little bit of everything going on in the bug department. BWOs and midges will remain strong contenders for a while, but there’s some other activity, too. These warm days have spurred some early caddis.

There aren’t a billion Skwalas in the Deschutes, but there are definitely enough to carry a few patterns just in case. If nothing else, their nymphs will be getting active.

Indicator fishing with a medium-sized stonefly and a smaller dropper—olive, midge, caddis larva, and the like—will work well. Keep the bigger stonefly going and change your dropper until you find the bug du jour.

Stop and watch now and again in the afternoon. Sometimes the surface activity can be easy to miss if you’re not actively looking for it.

Practical Reminders

• Midges and BWOs can produce under a wide range of conditions. Match your tactics to what you observe.
• Stonefly nymphs are a reliable anchor fly with a rotating smaller dropper.
• Watch for subtle surface activity and adjust your approach if you see consistent rises or adult insects.