About

"River Runner exists to fuel our passion for fly fishing."

Owned and operated by Chris O'Donnell and Cairn Young, River Runner Outfitters is a small business located in Maupin, Oregon, with the purpose of guiding fly anglers on the Lower Deschutes River.

Chris manages guide and outfitting operations, while Cairn manages customer service and business operations.

Our Philosophy

Every trip begins with a dream about the Deschutes River, and visions of fly fishing.  River Runner Outfitters will take you safely to the best fishing, and provide high quality meals and camps to make you as comfortable as possible in the Wild and Scenic Deschtues River canyon.

"Our philosophy is to facilitate your dream."

History

It began in the summer of 2002, when Chris O'Donnell met Dennis Brown, a Deschutes River fly fishing guide for the Numb-Butt Fly Company.  Dennis introduced Chris to Merril Hummer.  Chris began his river career running bag boat and guiding for Numb-Butt in Madras, Oregon.  Along the way Chris has gained experience managing and owning outfitting businesses, most recently Adventures in Fly Fishing, a Deschutes guide service since 1985.  In 2008 Chris purchased the Deschutes River SRP, and Chris O'Donnell's Guide Service was born.  Shortly afterward Chris met Cairn.

(in Chris' words)  During a memorable fishing trip in September of '09, Cairn was fighting a steelhead and exclaimed, "another one on the River Runner!!"  She was referring to the rod she was using... an early 1980's model Fenwick River Runner.  My first steelhead rod, the rod I learned with, and the only rod I have never broken.  After she said that, I muttered the words, "River Runner Outfitters".  We looked at each other wide eyed for a few seconds... and that became the name of our guide service.  Sure, it was a spinning rod.  Yes, we are a fly fishing company.  No, it doesn't matter!  We believe fly fishing is still fishing, and we all got started somewhere.

"The name River Runner is a small tribute to where it started for me."

PO Box 42, Maupin, OR 97037  /  541.978.0152  /  Email  /