Fishing Season: Year Round

Owyhee River - OR

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

47

Three Rivers Ranch's Tip of the Week

Flows are sitting at 150 cfs. Fishing has remained consistent, although we are seeing very subtle takes on nymphs so size down the indicator and set on everything! Midges, BWOS, PMDs, and terrestrials are the go-tos at the moment. Flows dropping soon. Plan to fish elsewhere mid October-March. Call our Boise Fly Shop at (208) 939-6065 to find out the latest info on the Owyhee River and to Book a Guided Trip.

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Map of Owyhee River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Three Rivers Ranch

5-Day Outlook as of 9/29/23

Midges and BWOs are still the bulk of the hatches. PMDs and caddis are providing some good afternoon fishing but are still spotty on where/when they will show. Flows are expected to drop Oct. 15th. Browns are slowly starting to stage for the spawn. Wade cautiously. Once flows drop, plan on fishing elsewhere until the spring when the fish are fuly recovered and the eggs on redds have hatched well into Feburary.

Techniques & Tips as of 9/29/23

9' 4x, 5x, 6x leaders and tippets. Smaller indicators will make for better presentations to spooky fish on sunny days. Nymphs will find fish all day but you will have dry fly opportunities if you are looking for them.

Local Species Available Year Round

  • Fish Icon

    Brown trout

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    Rainbow trout

Three Rivers Ranch's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Sparkle Dun BWO/PMD 16-18
Griffith's Gnat N/A 14-22
Rusty Spinner N/A 16-18
Higa's S.O.S. Black 16-20
Morrish Hopper Tan 6-12
Zebra Midge Black/Red 16-22
Rojo Midge Black/Brown 18-22
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer black, rust, olive 2-10
Split Case PMD Nymph Brown 16-22
Woolley Bugger Olive 10

Sparkle Dun

A must-have in every box of trout flies

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Item #749F

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Three Rivers Ranch's Recommended Gear

Description: About Owyhee River

Beginning in northern Nevada, the Owyhee River flows northward toward southeastern Oregon and southwestern Idaho before it joins, as a major tributary, the Snake River. The Owyhee and its tributaries gather watershed from the Owyhee Plateau. The river travels through steep canyon area, valley communities and the Duck Valley Indian Reservation. Once it crosses the Idaho border, it eventually meets up with the South Fork Owyhee River. As it passes through the lower southeast corner of Oregon, it combines with the West Little Owhyee River (from the south), the Middle Fork Owyhee River and the North Fork Owyhee River (both from the east). Other tributaries such as Jordan Creek, Rattlesnake Creek and Crooked Creek merge into the Owyhee as it makes its way toward the Snake River near the Idaho-Oregon border. Before the river officially meets up with the Snake, it’s stopped by the Owyhee Dam, which creates man-made Lake Owyhee. Below the dam the river then merges with the Snake River.

Nearest Airport:

BOI

Hatches:

Midges, BWO/PMD, Caddis, Terrestrials

Best Time to Fish:

Mid Afternoon

Best Stretch:

Snively Hot Springs up river to the Dam

Best Access:

Great Road Access