Gear & Tackle

Rivers & Streams

Fly Fishing

Spin, Cast & Bait

Middle Deschutes River (Tumalo) Fishing Guide

Oregon

The Deschutes at Tumalo State Park, less than 10 miles north of Bend, with wild redband and brown trout.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Middle Deschutes River (Tumalo) for rainbow trout and brown trout. In October, rainbow trout and brown trout are in season, and Parachute Adams, Blue-Winged Olive and Pheasant Tail Nymph are a good place to start. There are 11 shops nearby (9 fly, 2 bait and tackle); the closest is Sportsman's Warehouse in Bend. Crooked River is also nearby if you want to make a trip of it.

Season at a Glance

Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
JFMAMJJASOND
Area around a representative access point; the river runs beyond it. View Larger Map

What You'll Catch

Middle Deschutes River (Tumalo) Species

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Mar to Jun, Sep to Nov

Brown Trout

Brown Trout

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Mar to May, Sep to Nov

Images: Duane Raver, USFWS; USFWS. Public domain.

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

11 picks for October. marks species in season in October.

  • Parachute Adams #12-20

    Fly

    Dry Fly · Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Blue-Winged Olive #16-22

    Fly

    Dry Fly · Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-20

    Fly

    Nymph · Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Pat's Rubber Legs #4-10

    Fly

    Nymph · Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Woolly Bugger #2-10

    Fly

    Streamer · Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Hare's Ear Nymph #12-18

    Fly

    Nymph · Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • San Juan Worm #10-14

    Fly

    Nymph · Rainbow Trout · After rain.

    Shop This Fly

  • Egg Pattern #8-16

    Fly

    Nymph · Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Sculpin Streamer #2-6

    Fly

    Streamer · Brown Trout · Low light and fall.

    Shop This Fly

  • Inline Spinner 1/16 to 1/4 oz

    Lure

    Spinner · Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Lure

  • Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Hard Bait · Brown Trout

    Shop This Lure

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Rainbow Trout

Fly 9 ft 5 wt rod, weight-forward floating line, 9 ft 4X to 5X leader. Add a sink-tip and 3X for streamers.

Spin / Cast 6 to 7 ft ultralight or light spinning rod, 1000 to 2500 reel, 4 to 6 lb mono or fluorocarbon.

Brown Trout

Fly 9 ft 5 or 6 wt rod, floating line for dries and nymphs, sink-tip with 0X to 2X for streamers.

Spin / Cast 6.5 to 7 ft light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6 to 8 lb line. Jerkbaits and inline spinners.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Middle Deschutes River (Tumalo)

Fly Rods

Redington Classic Trout Fly Rod

A smooth, moderate-action rod that is forgiving for new casters and protects light tippet.

Check Price

Fly Rods

Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit

A complete rod, reel, and line outfit that covers most trout water and small-stream bass.

Check Price

Fly Reels

Redington Behemoth Fly Reel

A strong, sealed drag at a modest price, made in sizes from trout to saltwater.

Check Price

Fly Lines

RIO Gold Fly Line

A trout line that casts dries delicately and turns over nymph rigs.

Check Price

Fly Lines

Scientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line

A smooth-shooting, all-around freshwater line.

Check Price

Leaders & Tippet

RIO Fluorocarbon Tippet

Low-visibility tippet for nymphs and wary fish in clear water.

Check Price

Leaders & Tippet

RIO Tapered Trout Leaders

Nine foot tapered leaders in 3X to 6X for dries and nymphs.

Check Price

Waders & Boots

Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders

Durable, breathable waders that hold up to seasons of wading.

Check Price

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Nearby

Shops Near Middle Deschutes River (Tumalo)

Nearby

Guides and Charters Near Middle Deschutes River (Tumalo)

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Rivers & Streams · Oregon

Crooked River

A tailwater below Bowman Dam near Prineville with dense redband trout.

Rainbow Trout

Rivers & Streams · Oregon

McKenzie River

The home of the McKenzie drift boat, with redside rainbows and clear Cascade water.

Rainbow Trout · Cutthroat Trout

Rivers & Streams · Oregon

Deschutes River

Desert canyon river known for redsides and a summer steelhead run.

Redband Trout · Steelhead