Deschutes River Fly Fishing

Deschutes River

The Deschutes river stands unique in Oregon in that it provides both blue-ribbon trout and steelhead opportunities. With over one hundred miles of river below Lake Billy Chinook, there are stretches that cater to all anglers. The Deschutes River’s lower section, flowing from Pelton Dam to the Columbia River, is Oregon’s premiere fishery. The lower river has world-class fishing for native Redside rainbows as well as a steelhead. It is here that we offer our fly fishing trips.

Deschutes Trout Trips

Desert “redband” trout are a native and indigenous fish to the Deschutes River. Mature, these fish average around 16 inches. What these fish might lack in overall length, they make up for in strength.

Being a fertile river, the Deschutes has multiple, seasonal hatches for visitors to enjoy. By early to mid May and lasting through the middle of June, anglers can expect to witness the salmon fly hatch. This large bug is a trout favorite and elicits big rises to the fly.

Following the salmon fly, daily hatches of caddis begin as summer settles in to the Deschutes Canyon. The heat of each day brings these bugs to the surface, creating blizzard-like conditions at times. This hatch creates some incredible, dry-fly visuals. Back eddies and slow banks are some of the common places to find Deschutes trout rsing

Throughout the year, other hatches of mayflies, midges, and smaller stoneflies create opportunities. While there is really no time to stop fishing for trout, these trips usually run into September. After that, the focus shifts nearly completely to steelhead. However, if anglers would like to add trout to a steelhead trip, we can always target sections of river where the trout are eating October caddis.

Deschutes Steelhead Trips

The Deschutes River steelhead season is graciously long; anglers can enjoy good fishing from the middle of July through the later parts of the Central Oregon fall. Deschutes steelhead trips are, in our opinion, very special. We can run trips on the entirety of the Lower Deschutes in our boats.

Deschutes steelhead average six to eight pounds throughout the season, with some components of the run being smaller and others being larger. The “B-run” steelhead, which arrive in the late summer and early fall, can enter the mid-teens in size and present anglers with a powerful fight. “Stray” fish, which are steelhead destined for other watersheds, pull into the Deschutes to escape the warmer Columbia River. This addition of of stray fish to the native component is what can make the Deschutes a great summer steelhead river.

The river and its fish lend themselves to be fished with a classic, dry-line approach through most, if not all, of the long season. When conditions allow, we enjoy fishing swung dry-flies, eliciting rises to the surface by aggressive fish. It is an experience we highly suggest and know the Deschutes provides. When the sun is on the water, temperatures drop, and or other conditions insist, we also utilize sinking tips with larger profiled flies.

All trips are equipped with Sage spey rods and reels. Combined with Rio Lines, guests have some of the best tools for fishing for steelhead.

Deschutes Single Day Float Trip: $660

This rate is for up to two anglers. An eight hour day trip with lunch included. This value includes boaters passes, Warm Springs Tribal Permits when on the Warm Springs-Trout Creek section and transport to and from the Deschutes from Madras. It does not include licenses, alcohol on the float, and for any additional vehicle shuttled.

 

See Deschutes Camps for Multi-day Options