The Deschutes River, which is both a national and state scenic waterway, drops about a quarter of a mile in its final 100 miles as it twists through basalt canyons 700 to 2,200 feet deep. This tributary to the Columbia is world-renowned for its fly-fishing. It is home to summer steelhead and Columbia River redband trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri) known locally as “redsides. “The redsides grow larger than most and also have a distinct darker red stripe than most wild rainbow trout. They are abundant in this stretch of the river, which has counts of 1,700 fish of 7 inches in size per mile, and they are noticeably stronger than trout who do not have to cope with life in such a big, powerful river. The average catch for these fish is 8 to 15 inches (20 to 38 cm), and some are much larger. [These reside or are found throughout the river. Fishing for them is most popular from Warm Springs down to Macks Canyon below Pelton Dam. From Pelton Dam to the mouth the Deschutes is one of America’s most productive trout waters and a top producer of summer steelhead, managed primarily for wild trout. This 100-mile of Wild and Scenic River drops 1,233 feet (376 m), carving a volcanic rock canyon 700 to 2,200 feet (213 to 671 m) deep making this a prime destination for white water rafting and stand up paddleboarding too.
Fly fishermen come from around the world beginning of May through the first two weeks of June to take advantage of the hatching stoneflies, both salmon flies and golden stoneflies (Hesperoperla pacifica). These insects are in the river year-round; however, their large adults are a major food source for the fish: artificial weighted stonefly nymph patterns are a staple for Deschutes anglers year-round.
The Deschutes River also offers some of the best dry line Steelhead fly-fishing in the country. Enriched in tradition and lore this river is an experience all steelhead anglers that strive for a soulful approach should enjoy. Our techniques shadow all the traditional aspects of swinging flies for steelhead. This is the perfect river to chase steelhead with a Spey cast, a floating line (in shade), and a traditional fly. Mack Canyon is our access point allowing us to use a Wooldridge jet boat in the lower segment of the Deschutes River all year-round except on alternating weekends from June –September. Starting in late July or early August, overnight guided fly fishing trips for Steelhead are available.
Deschutes River Trout DRIFT Boat CAMP Fishing Trip
When: May through early June
Days: 2-5
Anglers: 2 or 4 anglers
Price per angler: 3 day trip 1950.00 4 day trip 2600.00
Trip Overview:
We will be utilizing a Clackacraft Drift boat with a guide ratio of 1 guide for 1-2 anglers.
Is any fishing gear or tackle provided? We provide flies and fly rods when needed.
Meals:
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided on camp trips. Dinner on the last evening is usually not included.
At the Camp: A camp is set for your trip daily and moved downstream each day to your next riverside paradise (on prime fishing water) during our drift boat trips. At the end of the fishing day when you arrive at camp, your tent for the night will be set up. You’ll be able to sit back and relax, have a cocktail, or fish the camp water. All meals are skillfully prepared streamside by our staff. We provide all of the camping gear with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow. Tents are double occupancy in large four-person tents including cots. We carry all drinking water, however, we do not provide alcohol, you are welcome to bring your own if you desire. Please pack liquids in plastic containers only – except that is for your wine!
Rivers and water are the soul of all life on the planet, so please join us in enjoying, marveling at, and protecting the river as they travel its length. With that in mind, they practice no-trace camping. “Footprints should be the only clue to our presence after we leave.”
Guides:
One guide per 1-3 clients is the standard ratio on our drift boat fly fishing excursions. Our guides have both CPR training and basic first aid certification along with being fully licensed and insured. We carry a very complete series of first aid kits on each boat, as well as a cell phone for emergencies only. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or food requests, please let us know in advance (bee sting or food allergies, diabetes, heart conditions, etc.). It is advised that you have a current tetanus vaccination before arrival. When you arrive at the river they will have a boat and river safety discussion. You will be issued a life jacket to be used for the trip.
Beverages: Fresh water (bring your own water bottle), sodas, and coffee and tea in the morning and evening. Bring your own alcohol.
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:
- Fleece
- Polypropylene
- Warm socks
- Camp shoes
- Stocking cap
- Baseball cap
- Polarized sunglasses
- Wading boots
- Waders (high quality)
- Sleeping bag and a packable pillow
Toiletries:
- Sunscreen
- Biodegradable soap
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Medications
Fishing:
- 6 or 7 weight fly rod
- Interchangeable tip fly line
- Sink tips
- Nippers
- Forceps
- Steelhead flies
- Tippet 0x
- Leaders
- Camera
- Tackle bag
Where to meet:
Getting to Maupin, Oregon: Once you reach Portland, you’ll need to rent a vehicle and meet Little Creek Outfitters in Maupin, Oregon. Depending on which route you take, it’s a two hour drive. You’ll want to spend the first night in Maupin: You’ll stay one night in Maupin before the start of your fishing trip.
Here are lodging options:
http://www.deschutesriveroasis.com
http://www.riverrunlodge.net
http://deschutesriver.com
What about the last night? We usually hit the boat launch between 2:00 p.m. and dark depending on your travel needs. Most people fly out the day of the take-out and leave the river early or stay the night in Maupin and fish until late.
Deschutes River Trout DRIFT Boat DAY Fishing Trip
When: May through early June
Days: 1
Anglers: 1-3
$600 per day for 2 anglers $700.00 for 3 anglers
Trip Overview:
We will be utilizing a Clackacraft Drift boat with a guide ratio of 1 guide for 1 up to 3 anglers.
Is any fishing gear or tackle provided? We provide flies and fly rods when needed.
Meals:
Lunch is provided for day trips.
At the Lunch: We lunch under the shade of an Alder canopy. We carry all drinking water, however, we do not provide alcohol, you are welcome to bring your own if you desire.
Rivers and water are the soul of all life on the planet, so please join us in enjoying, marveling at, and protecting the river as they travel its length. With that in mind, they practice no-trace camping. “Footprints should be the only clue to our presence after we leave.”
Guides:
One guide per 1-3 clients is the standard ratio on our jet boat fly fishing excursions. Our guides have both CPR training and basic first aid certification along with being fully licensed and insured. We carry a very complete series of first aid kits on each boat, as well as a cell phone for emergencies only. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or food requests, please let us know in advance (bee sting or food allergies, diabetes, heart conditions, etc.). It is advised that you have a current tetanus vaccination before arrival. When you arrive at the river they will have a boat and river safety discussion. You will be issued a life jacket to be used for the trip.
Beverages: Fresh water, sodas, and coffee provided. Bring your own alcohol.
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:
- Fleece
- Polypropylene
- Warm socks
- Camp shoes
- Stocking cap
- Baseball cap
- Polarized sunglasses
- Wading boots
- Waders (high quality)
- Sleeping bag and a packable pillow
Toiletries:
- Sunscreen
- Biodegradable soap
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Medications
Fishing:
- 6 or 7 weight fly rod
- Interchangeable tip fly line
- Sink tips
- Nippers
- Forceps
- Steelhead flies
- Tippet 0x
- Leaders
- Camera
- Tackle bag
Where to meet:
Getting to Maupin, Oregon: Once you reach Portland, you’ll need to rent a vehicle and meet Little Creek Outfitters in Maupin, Oregon. Depending on which route you take, it’s a two hour drive.
Here are lodging options:
http://www.deschutesriveroasis.com
http://www.riverrunlodge.net
http://deschutesriver.com
Deschutes River Trout JET Boat CAMP Fishing Trip
When: May through early June
Days: 2-5
Anglers: 1-3
Price Per Angler 3 Day Camp Trip 1950.00 4 Day Camp Trip $2600.00
Trip Overview:
We will be utilizing a Wooldridge Alaskan jet boat with a guide ratio of 1 guide for 1-3 anglers.
Is any fishing gear or tackle provided? We provide flies and fly rods when needed.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided on camp trips. Dinner on the last evening is usually not included.
At the Camp: A stationary camp is set for your entire stay in one place riverside (on prime fishing water) from our jet boat trips. At the end of the fishing day when you arrive at camp, your tent for the night will be set up. You’ll be able to sit back and relax, have a cocktail, or fish the camp water. All meals are skillfully prepared streamside by our staff. We provide all of the camping gear with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow. Tents are double occupancy in large four-person tents including cots. We carry all drinking water, however, we do not provide alcohol, you are welcome to bring your own if you desire. Please pack liquids in plastic containers only – except that is for your wine!
Rivers and water are the soul of all life on the planet, so please join us in enjoying, marveling at, and protecting the river as they travel its length. With that in mind, they practice no-trace camping. “Footprints should be the only clue to our presence after we leave.”
Guides:
One guide per 1-3 clients is the standard ratio on our jet boat fly fishing excursions. Our guides have both CPR training and basic first aid certification along with being fully licensed and insured. We carry a very complete series of first aid kits on each boat, as well as a cell phone for emergencies only. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or food requests, please let us know in advance (bee sting or food allergies, diabetes, heart conditions, etc.). It is advised that you have a current tetanus vaccination before arrival. When you arrive at the river they will have a boat and river safety discussion. You will be issued a life jacket to be used for the trip.
Beverages: Fresh water (bring your own water bottle), sodas, and coffee and tea in the morning and evening. Bring your own alcohol.
Where to meet:
Getting to Maupin, Oregon: Once you reach Portland, you’ll need to rent a vehicle and meet Little Creek Outfitters in Maupin, Oregon. Depending on which route you take, it’s a two hour drive. You’ll want to spend the first night in Maupin: You’ll stay one night in Maupin before the start of your fishing trip.
Here are lodging options:
http://www.deschutesriveroasis.com
http://www.riverrunlodge.net
http://deschutesriver.com
What about the last night? We usually hit the boat launch between 2:00 p.m. and dark depending on your travel needs. Most people fly out the day of the take-out and leave the river early or stay the night in Maupin and fish until late.
Deschutes River Trout JET Boat DAY Fishing Trip
When: May through early June
Days: 1
Anglers: 1-3
Price per: $650 per 1-2 anglers and $750 for 3 anglers
Trip Overview:
We will be utilizing a Wooldridge Alaskan jet boat with a guide ratio of 1 guide for 1-3 anglers.
Is any fishing gear or tackle provided? We provide flies and fly rods when needed.
Meals: Lunch is provided for day trips.
At the Lunch: We lunch under the shade of an Alder canopy. We carry all drinking water, however, we do not provide alcohol, you are welcome to bring your own if you desire.
Rivers and water are the soul of all life on the planet, so please join us in enjoying, marveling at, and protecting the river as they travel its length. With that in mind, they practice no-trace camping. “Footprints should be the only clue to our presence after we leave.”
Guides:
One guide per 1-3 clients is the standard ratio on our jet boat fly fishing excursions. Our guides have both CPR training and basic first aid certification along with being fully licensed and insured. We carry a very complete series of first aid kits on each boat, as well as a cell phone for emergencies only. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or food requests, please let us know in advance (bee sting or food allergies, diabetes, heart conditions, etc.). It is advised that you have a current tetanus vaccination before arrival. When you arrive at the river they will have a boat and river safety discussion. You will be issued a life jacket to be used for the trip.
Beverages: Fresh water, sodas, and coffee provided. Bring your own alcohol.
Where to meet:
Getting to Maupin, Oregon: Once you reach Portland, you’ll need to rent a vehicle and meet Little Creek Outfitters in Maupin, Oregon. Depending on which route you take, it’s a two hour drive.
