Flows are on the rise and steelhead have slowly begun moving upstream, fishing should improve as flows rise in the coming weeks with several forecasted storms approaching. Mid-October through mid-December is often a great time to target steelhead in the John Day. This year's steelhead run will be above the past few seasons but remains slightly below long-term averages.

The John Day is largely comprised of wild fish that must be released unharmed. Fall is often one of the better opportunities to harvest a hatchery stray. Please be cognizant of minimizing stress to wild fish by always keeping them in the water and handling them as little as possible before release. The John Day arm below Tumwater Falls to the mainline railroad bridge is now open for fishing.