Fall River is a beautiful spring-fed stream flowing through rolling pine forest. It is open to fly fishing only. Clear and cold, it springs full-blown from the ground about 2 miles northwest of Pringle Falls and winds it’s way northeast to join the Deschutes River. Fall River is an outstanding contributor of brown trout to the Deschutes River and provides excellent winter habitat for numerous species. Its pristine water supports a productive hatchery and contributes invaluable water quality to the Deschutes system. Legal size brook and rainbow trout, stocked several times a year, merge with the naturally reproducing brook, brown, and rainbow trout. Native whitefish inhabit the river below the falls.

Wild brook trout average less than 8 inches in length, and stocked brookies average 8 to 12 inches. Brown trout at 8 pounds have been pulled out of Fall River, although the average catch will run up to 10 inches, and anglers will probably catch many in the 6 to 8 inch range. Rainbow trout average 8 to12 inches, with an occasional holdover to 20 inches. Whitefish are typically 6 to 12 inches.

The water is very clear and cold year-round, with steady flows and temperatures. The river has a variety of depth and structure and averages 25 to 50 feet across. Some willows line the banks. The streambed is mainly of fine pumice, easy to wade, but it can be very soft in places. Many downed logs in the river provide cover for the trout, and weedbeds provide insect habitat.

National Forest land borders half of Fall River’s 8 miles. Most of the remainder is private land especially along the lower 4 miles of the stream. Watch carefully for "No Trespassing" signs and be prepared for ravenous mosquitoes.

Basic Directions