THE RIVER

Overview

Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout & brook trout
Best Months: Late spring & fall
Fishing Style: Wade & drift boat

The Upper Deschutes above Benham Falls offers some of Central Oregon’s most accessible trout fishing, winding through forests, meadows, and spring influenced habitat between Sunriver and Bend. This section is best known for its population of wild redband trout, which thrive in the river’s cold, clear water and abundant aquatic insect life.

Anglers will find a mix of riffles, glides, undercut banks, and woody structure that provide year round trout habitat. Easy access, scenic surroundings, and consistent opportunities for wild trout make the Upper Deschutes a favorite destination for both local anglers and visitors to Central Oregon.

Techniques

The Upper Deschutes above Benham Falls is primarily a walk-and-wade fishery, with numerous access points throughout the Sunriver and Bend area. Most anglers find success with caddis dries and emergers, PMD dries and nymphs, ants, beetles, small terrestrials, and streamers or leech patterns fished around structure.

Redband trout are commonly found along cutbanks, submerged wood, undercut edges, deeper seams, and shaded banks, making accurate casts, natural drifts, and a stealthy approach important. Dry-dropper rigs can be effective during active insect activity, while small streamers and leeches are useful for covering deeper bends, wood, and slower holding water.

This section sees consistent fishing pressure, so anglers who move carefully, cover water methodically, and focus on clean presentations often see the best results. Wading is generally approachable, but use caution around deeper channels, soft banks, and log structure.