Some of the best Smallmouth Bass fishing in the country takes place on the John Day River. Bass season is at its peak from mid-June to the end of August. It is not uncommon to hook in excess of 75 fish per rod per day. These fish average from 8-12″, with larger fish in the 18-20″ range. We offer day floats and multi-day floats.
Running more than 500 miles, the John Day is the third longest free-flowing river in the contiguous United States. It is protected as a “Wild and Scenic” river under Oregon Scenic Waterways Act. The river’s serpentine course meanders along steep basalt canyon walls, juniper and sagebrush-dotted hills, abandoned homesteads, and petroglyphs. This is one of the most culturally rich river corridors in Oregon. For thousands of years, the Northern Paiute lived on this river they called the Mah-Hah. In 1805 these canyon dwellers met their first Europeans, the Lewis and Clark expedition. In 1812, the river was renamed the John Day after one of the members of the Astor-Hunt overland party. The John Day River is truly the Grand Canyon of Oregon.
The John Day is also arguably the finest smallmouth bass fishery west of the Mississippi. Anglers of all skill levels can enjoy insanely high rates of feisty smallmouth bass while experiencing one of the West’s most interesting and least traveled wilderness float trips.
Bass season is at its peak from mid-June to the end of August. It is not uncommon to hook in excess of 75 fish per rod per day. This is the perfect river to introduce new flycasters to the sport, as the fish are typically aggressive and plentiful. The majority of the fishing is done from the boat and from the banks targeting feeding fish. When the shade is on the water we fish with poppers and surface bugs, sun on the water flies are typically muddlers and woolly buggers.
For families and private parties keen on fly fishing success, these multi-day rafting trips provide a high level of adventure while not sacrificing comfort.
SELF Guided – John Day River Bass Camp Fishing Trip
When: June through July
Days: 4 (June) or 5 (July)
Anglers: Minimum of 10 and Maximum of 13
Price per angler: $350 per day
Trip Overview:
We offer 2 to 5 day trips covering up to 42 miles of river. A designated gear boat with a 2 man crew will pack and move camp each day. Another guide leads the party, providing pace setting, fishing advice, beverages, and lunch. Each boat provided holds 3 clients; a rower and 2 anglers. These overnight journeys provide a magical wilderness adventure and campground comforts.
Little Creek Outfitters, which has been guiding the John Day since 1984, serves some of the best possible meals on the river. A typical full day on the river will include freshly brewed coffee coupled with flapjacks, sausage, eggs, fresh fruit, cereal, and juice. Plenty of delicious food to power your morning on the river!
At Camp:
All of the camping gear is supplied by Little Creek Outfitters with the exception of your sleeping bags and pillows. Your tent for the night will be set up and your baggage will be waiting for you. Two people fit comfortably in a tent, with cots and sleeping pads provided. We set up a camp toilet with a privacy tent and hand-washing station.
We carry all drinking water and other beverages but we do not provide alcohol. You are welcome to bring your own if you desire. Please pack liquids in plastic containers only – except for good wines!!
We practice ‘leave no trace’ camping ethics and pack out everything we take on the trip.
Directions/Where to meet:
We will meet in Condon, at the cafe the morning of your trip, eat breakfast then head to the river Address is: 209 S Main St, Condon, OR 97823 Driving time from PDX airport is about 2 ½ hours. There is a private airport in Condon if you have a personnel plane
Directions Traveling to Condon from Portland Airport
Take I-205 South 1.8 miles
Take exit 22 for I-84 E drive 96 miles
Take exit 104 onto US-97 turn right drive 8.5 miles
Right turn onto OR-206, turn left at the stop sign onto 206
Turn right onto Clark St, Turn left onto Highway 206
Drive 41 miles, turn right on Main Street – Round Up Grill is on your right
The Hotel Condon: In Condon, we recommend staying at the Hotel Condon – 541.384.4624; www.hotelcondon.com
Vehicle Shuttle:
Your car will need to be shuttled from the put into the take out. The cost is $125.00 to $150.00 depending on where we launch and is subject to change.
John Day Multi-Day Bass Trip Pack list:
We provide you with two dry bags. One is a duffel size bag that goes down to camp ahead of you and the other is a smaller dry bag to carry things (like a change of clothes in case you get wet) on your guide boat.
Clothes:
- Clothing for hot days
Sandals
Camp shoes
Baseball cap - Swimsuit
- Sunglasses
sleeping bag (40+) and a packable pillow -
Toiletries:
Sunscreen
Biodegradable soap
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Deodorant
Medications - Wet Wipes
If you have fishing equipment bring it and this is what we recommend.
- 4,5, 6 weight fly rod with floating line
Nippers
Forceps
3X leader and 3X tippet
Camera
Tackle bag
Flies – woolly buggers, poppers, damselflies
We do not provide alcohol so bring your beverage of choice
Fishing License:
You can purchase a fishing license online at: https://myodfw.com
Purchase the 4 or 5 day
A shuttle for your vehicle from the put into the take out is an additional $75.00
FULL Guided – John Day River Bass Camp Fishing Trip
When: June through July
Days: 4 (June) or 5 (July)
Anglers: 4-6
Price: $600 per angler per day
Trip Overview:
We offer 2 to 5 day trips covering up to 42 miles of river. A designated gear boat, with crew, will pack and move camp each day. For each boat, there will be one guide to two anglers. These overnight journeys provide magical wilderness adventure and campground comforts.
Little Creek Outfitters, which has been guiding the John Day since 1984, serves some of the best possible meals on the river. A typical full day on the river will include freshly brewed coffee coupled with flapjacks, sausage, eggs, fresh fruit, cereal, and juice. Plenty of delicious food to power your morning on the river!
At Camp:
All of the camping gear is supplied by Little Creek Outfitters with the exception of your sleeping bags and pillows. Your tent for the night will be set up and your baggage will be waiting for you. Two people fit comfortably in a tent, with cots and sleeping pads provided. We set up a camp toilet with a privacy tent and hand-washing station.
We carry all drinking water and other beverages but we do not provide alcohol. You are welcome to bring your own if you desire. Please pack liquids in plastic containers only – except good wines!!
We practice ‘leave no trace’ camping ethics and pack out everything we take on the trip.
Directions/Where to meet:
We will meet in Condon, at the cafe the morning of your trip, eat breakfast then head to the river Address is: 209 S Main St, Condon, OR 97823 Driving time from PDX airport is about 2 ½ hours . There is a private airport in Condon if you have a personnel plane.
Directions Traveling to Condon from Portland Airport
Take I-205 South 1.8 miles
Take exit 22 for I-84 E drive 96 miles
Take exit 104 onto US-97 turn right drive 8.5 miles
Right turn onto OR-206, turn left at the stop sign onto 206
Turn right onto Clark St, Turn left onto Highway 206
Drive 41 miles, turn right on Main Street – Round Up Grill is on your right
The Hotel Condon: In Condon, we recommend staying at the Hotel Condon – 541.384.4624; www.hotelcondon.com.
John Day Multi-Day Bass Trip Pack list:
We provide you with two dry bags. One is a duffel size bag that goes down to camp ahead of you and the other is a smaller dry bag to carry things (like a change of clothes in case you get wet) on your guide boat.
Clothes:
- Clothing for hot days
Sandals
Camp shoes
Baseball cap
Sunglasses
sleeping bag (40+) and a packable pillowToiletries:
Sunscreen
Biodegradable soap
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Deodorant
Medications
If you have fishing equipment bring it and this is what we recommend.
- 4,5, 6 weight fly rod with floating line
Nippers
Forceps
3X leader and 3X tippet
Camera
Tackle bag
Flies – woolly buggers, poppers, damselflies
We do not provide alcohol so bring your beverage of choice
Fishing License:
You can purchase a fishing license online at: https://myodfw.com
Purchase the 4 or 5 day
A shuttle for your vehicle from the put into the take out is $125.00 – $150 per a vehicule and is subject to change.
John Day River Bass DAY Fishing Trip
When: June through July
Days: 1
Anglers: 2
Price per boat: $750
Trip Overview:
We offer day trips covering up to 10 miles of river. These journeys provide the magic of adventure and great angling success. Little Creek Outfitters, which has been guiding on the John Day since 1984, serves the best possible meals each day. A typical full day on the river will include freshly brewed coffee in the morning coupled with a mid-day hearty lunch. Plenty of fresh and delicious food to power your day on the river.
We carry all drinking water and other beverages but we do not pro
vide alcohol. You are welcome to bring your own if you desire.
We practice ‘leave no trace’ camping ethics and pack out everything we take on the trip.
DIRECTIONS/Where to meet:
We will meet in Maupin. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel at 6:30 am.
Directions to Maupin. https://www.mapquest.com/directions/to/us/or/maupin-282026934
Trip Pack list
Clothes:
- Clothing for chilly or hot days
- Sandals
- Baseball cap
- Sunglasses
-
Toiletries:
- Sunscreen
- Medications
If you have fishing equipment bring it and this is what we recommend.
- 4,5, 6 weight fly rod with floating line
- Nippers
- Forceps
- 3X leader and 3X tippet
- Camera
- Tackle bag
- Flies – woolly buggers, poppers, damselflies
- We do not provide alcohol so bring your beverage of choice
Fishing License:
You can purchase a fishing license online at: https://myodfw.com
Purchase the 4 or 5 day