Deschutes River — Riverhouse Slough Back Channel
A hidden backchannel slough behind the Riverhouse on the Deschutes — created when the river shifted course during the 1925 flood — functioning as a critical redband trout nursery invisible from the main tubing channel.
Spring seeps, submerged willow roots, and minimal current create ideal habitat for juvenile redband trout. You'll sight fish in crystal-clear shallows while dozens of tubers float obliviously through turbid water just yards away.
Wade in from the Riverhouse property during low flow September through October with permission from the Deschutes River Conservancy, or float in quietly during high water April through June. Use size 18-20 midge patterns near submerged root wads.
Know Before You Go
- 📵 Cell service: Expect limited or no signal. Download offline maps before you leave the trailhead.
- 🎫 License required: A valid state fishing license is required. Purchase online at your state fish & wildlife site before your trip.
- 🌊 Water levels change: Seasonal flow, cold water, submerged hazards, and snowmelt can make a familiar place dangerous. Never dive or jump based on a guide description; inspect conditions in person and stay out when currents are uncertain.
- 🗺️ Access varies seasonally: Trail and road conditions shift with weather and snow. Verify current status with the local ranger district before you go.
- ⚠️ Conditions are not monitored live: Confirm roads, permits, weather, fire restrictions, property boundaries, and closures with the official land manager before traveling. Use the article's Sources section when available; some legacy citations are still being upgraded.
- 📅 Published: April 2026. This is the editorial publication date, not a current-condition check.
Packing Checklist
- ☐ Valid state fishing license
- ☐ Rod and tackle appropriate to species
- ☐ Waders or water shoes
- ☐ Polarized sunglasses
- ☐ Cooler for catch
- ☐ Sun protection
- ☐ Bug spray
Downtown Bend’s tubing corridor runs through one channel of the Deschutes. The fish live in the other one.
The Riverhouse slough was created in 1925 when the river shifted course during a flood event. The abandoned side channel now functions as a critical trout nursery: spring seeps maintain cool temperatures, submerged willow roots provide cover, and minimal current creates ideal rearing habitat for juvenile redband trout.
From the slough’s clear, shallow water you can sight fish individual fish while tubers float through the turbid main channel yards away, completely unaware. Use size 18-20 midge patterns near the root wads at the slough’s head, and contact the Deschutes River Conservancy for access permission before you arrive.
Sources
- Deschutes River Conservancy — access permissions, river health reporting, and redband trout research
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife — Deschutes redband trout population and fishing regulations