Deschutes River Float Trips

3 to 5 day fly fishing adventures

The finest fly fishing opportunities for trout and steelhead in Oregon exist in the Lower Deschutes River's roadless canyon stretches.  Our three to five day float trips cover 25 to 45 miles of river, and provide a safe, comfortable, and exciting way to experience the Deschutes. Trout fishing is best on the upper float (Warm Springs to Maupin), while steelhead fishing begins in July on the lower float (Macks Canyon to the Columbia).

The Fishing Day

At the boat launch large dry bags will be provided for your personal belongings. These water tight bags will be loaded on the gear boat and taken directly to camp. Dry storage will be available on the drift boats for cameras, clothing, and things you may want during the day. Our swampmaster will push down to camp and prepare your dining and sleeping accommodations while you fish.  Whether you want casting and fishing instruction, or simply want to be shown where the big ones lurk, our guides can do it all. Let us know what you have in mind.

Your fishing day will be full of  scenery, wildlife, whitewater, and with some luck a few big fish!   During the day you will break for a tasty shore lunch. A typical shore lunch may include grilled chicken  breast, fresh deli turkey, bacon, avocado, Caesar wraps, pasta salads, cheeses, fresh fruit and produce, and more. After lunch we will fish until dinner time.

Our Camps

Appetizers and beverages will be waiting for you at camp. Your dry bags will be sitting next to large tents…the kind you can stand up in. You will have plenty of time to change and relax before dinner. We believe that good food is a key ingredient to every fishing adventure, whether lodge based or on wild & scenic float trips. Our dinners include tender cuts of steak, sautéed prawns, wild Pacific salmon, grilled seasonal vegetables, and more. When you begin to fade, retire to a sturdy cot and air pad in a well ventilated tent. We comfortably sleep two anglers per tent. Each tent is equipped with a lantern. There are elements at work that we can not control. The wind blows. The rain pours. Sometimes the fish won’t bite!!! Our meals and accommodations will ensure that you are comfortable all the way.

Best of the Deschutes

Wake up to the sounds of the river and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee…the good stuff! Coffee, cream, sugar, fresh fruit, granola, and milk will be ready first thing in the morning. A hot breakfast will be prepared, available at the table or to go, and may include scrambled egg breakfast burritos with cheese, peppers, onions, and sausage, and bacon, fried egg, and cheese sandwiches. The middle days of an overnight trip are the best. You wake up on the river, fish some of the finest waters in the canyon, eat like a king, and go back to sleep on the river. What could be better?! Each day brings a new stretch of river and another adventure.

Chris O'Donnell's Guide Service, LLC

(541) 978-0152 I Email us