Winter Steelhead & Deschutes Trout Fishing Report – March 16, 2026

Winter Steelhead

The second major atmospheric river of the season recently passed through the Pacific Northwest, and it was a dandy. Most rivers that receive winter steelhead were either at or approaching flood stage.

It seems like we have received roughly 70% of our winter precipitation from two major rain events this season. Rivers will remain on the high side for a few more days, but the extended forecast looks relatively dry.

The good news is that all this water is sure to move plenty of fish around. We have approximately one month left in the season, and these final few weeks can provide some of the best fishing of the year. The stage is set for a strong finish.

From a tactical standpoint, focus on doing whatever is necessary to get beneath the fast surface currents, keep your fly at depth, and slow down the swing.

High water is one of the situations where multi-density Skagit heads truly shine. Getting the head beneath the surface chop can dramatically reduce the speed of your swing and help keep the fly in the strike zone.

Some of our favorite options include the RIO Pickpocket in F/I/S3 or S3/S5/S7, the OPST Commando Groove, and—on longer rods—the Airflo F.I.S.T.

There are steelhead to be caught in high water. You simply need to get your fly down to them and leave it in front of them long enough to convince one to grab.

Practical Reminders

• Get down and stay down: Use multi-density Skagit heads and heavier sink tips to cut through the surface chop and keep your fly in the strike zone.
• Slow the swing: Steelhead holding in high water may be less willing to move far. Slow everything down and allow the fly to hang longer in productive holding water.
• Target softer edges: Focus on inside seams, tailouts, and softer buckets where steelhead can move out of the heavy current to rest.

Deschutes Trout

The recent weather also affected the lower Deschutes. The White River increased from approximately 370 cfs to nearly 3,700 cfs, so the Deschutes below the confluence will likely remain some shade of off-color for a while.

That said, the Deschutes above the White River confluence is looking considerably better and should offer more consistent water clarity.

Several things are happening in the bug department right now. Blue-winged olives, caddis, and midges are the most abundant, but anglers should also be prepared for a few other early-season insects. Some Skwalas and early March Browns are beginning to appear as well.

You may get lucky and find a brief window of surface activity, but fishing will predominantly be a nymph-and-streamer program until flows drop a little further.

The elevated water is a good opportunity to nymph with large, dark stonefly patterns. Dark leeches can also be highly effective under these conditions.

Practical Reminders

• Fish above the White River: Better water clarity upriver should provide more consistent fishing. Concentrate on stretches above the White River confluence.
• Go big and dark: High or off-color water calls for larger stonefly nymphs and dark leeches that are easier for trout to locate.
• Focus below the surface: Watch for brief BWO or midge windows, but plan on spending most of the day nymphing or fishing streamers.