Deschutes River Steelhead Fly Fishing

Each summer and fall thousands of sea bright steelhead leave the Pacific Ocean and return to their original birthplace in the Deschutes River System. 

Deschutes River steelhead are territorial by nature, willing to respond to traditional steelhead fly fishing techniques.  Moving a steelhead to the fly is a beautiful thing, and the Lower Deschutes ranks among America's finest places to do so.

July brings the first opportunity to connect with a Deschutes River steelhead.  Throughout July and August steelhead fill the river's lower twenty five miles, only accessible to anglers boating the remote lower canyon.  Our multi day float trips offer anglers the opportunity to fish over the "spear point" of the run.

Late August and September arrive with cooler weather and more fresh steelhead.  The lower river still has the highest concentration of steelhead, although enough fish have moved upstream to justify fishing near Maupin, OR.  Day float trips and overnight float trips are both a fine way to fish the later part of summer.

By the middle of September a large number of steelhead will move upstream of Maupin.  While fresh fish will enter the lower river through the winter, we concentrate our fall season on the Lower Deschutes' upper fifty miles below Pelton Dam.  Trout and steelhead combination trips are available in the fall.

Spey Casting & Fishing

There is no more efficient way to pursue Deschutes River steelhead than fishing a two handed rod.  A properly balanced spey outfit will allow even novice fly casters to achieve awe inspiring distances and effectively cover vast amounts of steelhead holding water.  If you are interested in trying spey casting or simply want to try some new gear, rods, reels, and lines will be available for demo use.

Chris O'Donnell's Guide Service, LLC

(541) 978-0152 I Email us