If you have a passion for yoga, sustainable food, and the outdoors, this is the trip for you! Relax, unplug and find your balance paddling and practicing yoga on Oregon’s desert river paradise. Be surrounded by sun-drenched canyons lined with basalt rock faces and sagebrush-dotted hillsides on one of the third-longest free-flowing rivers in the United States.
Running more than 500 miles, the John Day is the third longest free-flowing river in the contiguous United States. The water is perfect for stand-up paddleboarding with small, class I and II rapids, gentle pools, and long stretches of flat water. New to stand-up paddleboarding? SUP, the fastest-growing paddle sport in the United States, is basically surfing, but your board is propelled by paddle strokes and the river’s gentle current instead of gnarly ocean waves. It’s a super fun and rejuvenating way to explore a free-flowing river with friends and family, while also building core strength and balance.
Your trip will cover about 24 miles. Start your morning practicing yoga, then enjoy freshly brewed coffee or tea coupled with healthy food to power your morning on the river! While you are floating down the river, enjoy the wildlife, bird watching, fly-fishing for smallmouth bass, or just relax. A designated gear boat with two team members will pack, move camp and have it set up when we arrive in the evening. All meals with be prepared with organic, sustainable food. Gluten-free available.
These overnight journeys provide a magical wilderness adventure and campground comforts. All of the camping gear is supplied by Little Creek Outfitters with the exception of your sleeping bags and pillows. When you arrive at camp, your tent for the night will be set up with a cot and sleeping pad, and your baggage will be waiting for you.
Side activities include fishing, hiking, swimming, or just relaxing to the sounds of the river.
This trip will also include instruction covering SUP and water safety. Mia can meet you before the trip and go over the basics of SUP’ing.
Customer Quote: “I can’t say enough great things about this trip! Beautiful river, blissful yoga and wonderful people. Mia and her team are well-organized and equipped, and made sure we all had an incredible time. I can’t wait to go again! ” Cindy
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.
John Day River – SUP | Yoga | Fish 4 Days
Minimum 10 people| max is 13
Price: $1200
June 20-23
If you have a passion for yoga, sustainable food, and the outdoors, this is the trip for you! Relax, unplug and find your balance paddling and practicing yoga on Oregon’s desert river paradise. Be surrounded by sun-drenched canyons lined with basalt rock faces and sagebrush-dotted hillsides on one of the third-longest free-flowing rivers in the United States.
Your trip will cover about 42 miles. Start your morning practicing yoga, then enjoy freshly brewed coffee or tea coupled with healthy food to power your morning on the river! While you are floating down the river, enjoy the wildlife, bird watching, fly-fishing for smallmouth bass, or just relax. A designated gear boat with two team members will pack, move camp and have it set up when we arrive in the evening. All meals with be prepared with organic, sustainable food. Gluten-free available.
These overnight journeys provide magical wilderness adventure and campground comforts. All of the camping gear is supplied by Little Creek Outfitters with the exception of your sleeping bags and pillows. When you arrive at camp your tent for the night will be set up with a cot and sleeping pad, and your baggage will be waiting for you.
Side activities include fishing, hiking, swimming or just relaxing to the sounds of the river.
This trip will also include instruction covering SUP and water safety. Mia can meet you before the trip and go over the basics of SUP’ing.
Customer Quote: “I can’t say enough great things about this trip! Beautiful river, blissful yoga and wonderful people. Mia and her team are well-organized and equipped, and made sure we all had an incredible time. I can’t wait to go again! ” Cindy
Mia is excited to work with Amie DiGennaro who will be leading yoga practice. Amie loves the outdoors and has been teaching yoga for over 10 years and paddleboard yoga classes for 8 years. Together, these women have decades of knowledge that will advance your skills in paddling, yoga and fly-fishing.
Who Can Go
A John Day River day trip is perfect for anyone looking to start tackling rivers on his or her stand-up paddleboard. Stand-up paddleboarding is easy to learn and not terribly difficult, but you will be paddling and maneuvering on moving water in some windy conditions, so you’ll need arm strength and core strength.
Trip Logistics
Where to meet:
We will meet in Condon, on Main Street the morning of your trip at 6 AM. The address is 209 S Main St, Condon, OR 97823 Driving time from PDX airport is about 2 ½ hours. We recommend staying in Condon the night before. Bring food for breakfast the first morning, as the cafe is typically not open. We will touch base with you before the trip.
Your car will need to be shuttled from the put-in to the take-out. The shuttle fee is $100.00.
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 or Motel Condon: http://www.condonmotel.net541-384-2181.
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 recycled plastic containers only – except good wines!!
We practice ‘leave no trace’ camping ethics and pack out everything we take on the trip.
Please bring a water bottle. We are working to eliminate the use of plastic bottles.
What we provide
Little Creek Outfitters will provide camp setup, meals, life jackets, and flies and river permit. We can also provide stand-up paddleboards, paddles, and a fly rod, as needed.
What you need to bring
Please pack clothing that can get wet and will dry quickly. All of your personal gear should fit into a military-style duffel approximately three feet tall (the size of our dry bags). We provide all of the dry bags to handle your gear. You’re welcome to bring your own. You will be fishing from a boat, you do not need waders.
If you choose to fish
4, 5 or 6 # rod
Reel and spare spool
Floating line, DT
Sink tip, HS, HD (5’ tip)
Leaders 0x-4x
Nippers
Forceps
Fishing vest or something to hold your gear in.
Tippet materials 0x-4x
Good red wines
Personal Gear
Sleeping bag & pillow
Water Bottle
Camera and film
Polarized sunglasses & retainer
Sunblock, SPF 30+
Personal medication & toiletries
Good sun hat
Long-sleeved shirt and pants for sun protection
Leatherman-type tool – optional
Lip balm
Day pack (Little Creek Provides Day Drybag)
Flashlight
Rain gear
Sturdy river sandals/ or boat shoes for wet wading (ie. Teva, Chaco, Simms)
Bio-degradable soap
Towel
John Day River – SUP Bass Fishing MULTI-DAY Trip
When: End of May to mid-July
Days: 2-4
Anglers: Minimum 10 max is 12
Price: $300.00 per a day
Little Creek Outfitters, one of the longest-running professional guide services dedicated to northeastern Oregon’s John Day River, developed this truly unique action-packed summer adventure for people looking to combine the excitement of stand-up paddleboarding with what we think is the best bass fishing west of the Mississippi.
During the peak of bass season, from mid-June to the end of August, the fishing is simply epic. It is not uncommon for anglers of all skill levels to hook more than 75 fish per day, many taken on poppers and surface bugs.
The water is also perfect for newcomers to stand up paddleboarding, with small, class I rapids and gentle pools meandering through a sun-drenched canyon lined with basalt rock faces and sagebrush-dotted hillsides. New to stand-up paddleboarding? SUP, the fastest-growing paddle sport in the United States, is basically surfing, but your board is propelled by paddle strokes and the river’s gentle current instead of gnarly ocean waves. It’s a super fun and rejuvenating way to explore a free-flowing river with friends and family, while also building core strength.
Register for a day trip with Little Creek Outfitters and receive professional instruction covering SUP and fly-fishing techniques and water safety, as well as a delicious riverside lunch, as you explore the wild and scenic, John Day River in Oregon.
Trip overview
We offer multi-day trips covering either 17 to 42 miles of river. A typical full day on the river will start out with freshly brewed coffee coupled with flapjacks, sausage, eggs, fresh fruit, cereal, and juice. Plenty of delicious food to power your morning on the river!
Each day we will paddle 8-10 miles with a lead paddler and boat pacing you down the river, while you fish and enjoy a wild and scenic float. At lunch, we will set up lunch under a shade tree and make a fresh salad and a spread with deli meats, fresh vegetables, cookies, and chips.
While you are enjoying the river a designated gear boat with two team members will pack and move camp. These overnight journeys provide magical wilderness adventure and campground comforts.
At Camp:
All of the camping gear is supplied by Little Creek Outfitters with the exception of your sleeping bags and pillows. When you arrive at camp 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 recycled plastic containers only – except good wines!!
We practice ‘leave no trace’ camping ethics and pack out everything we take on the trip.
Where to meet:
We will meet in Condon, at the café on 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 personal plane.
Who Can Go:
A John Day River day trip is perfect for anyone looking to start tackling rivers on his or her stand-up paddleboard. Stand-up paddleboarding is easy to learn, and not terribly difficult, but you will be paddling and maneuvering on moving water, so you’ll need arm strength and balance.
