Redband Rainbow TroutOncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri

Redband Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri · Redsides

Peak: May–OctoberNativeLower river

The signature fish of the lower Deschutes. Wild, native redband rainbows with a brick-red stripe, famously strong for their size. Most fish hold along the edges and in seams near the bank.

Best flies for redband rainbow trout on this river

Adult

Salmonfly dry (e.g. Chubby Chernobyl)

#4–8

Late May–June, fished tight to overhanging grass

Nymph

Pat's Rubber Legs

#6–10

Year-round stonefly imitation, often the point fly

Adult

Elk Hair Caddis

#14–16

Summer evenings when caddis are on the water

Emerger

Soft hackle (partridge & orange)

#14–16

Swung through riffles during caddis and PMD hatches

Nymph

Pheasant Tail Nymph

#16–18

Dropper below a stonefly nymph

Dun

Parachute PMD

#16–18

Summer afternoons on slower flats

Egg

Egg pattern (peach/orange)

#12–14

Oct–Nov while fall Chinook spawn. Fish below gravel bars, never on the redds

More on the Deschutes River

Brown Trout Summer Steelhead Fall Chinook Salmon Spring Chinook Salmon Coho Salmon Bull Trout Mountain Whitefish Salmonfly Golden Stonefly Caddisfly Pale Morning Dun Blue-Winged Olive Midges

Redband Rainbow Trout

Best flies for redband rainbow trout on this river

When they're in the river

Life cycle

How to fish it

More on the Deschutes River