Deschutes River Steelhead
Oregon's Lower Deschutes River offers steelhead fly anglers one of the best quality summer steelhead fly fishing opportunities in the Pacific Northwest. One of the only high desert rivers that has fishable numbers of steelhead during the summer, the Lower Deschutes is a spey angler's playground.
Spey Fishing for Deschutes River Steelhead
The Deschutes is classic spey water. River Runner guides specialize in casting and fishing with two-handed fly rods. The basics of spey casting are easily learned with an experienced instructor. Both basic and advanced spey casting instruction is available upon request. Shooting head spey lines, such as Scandinavian and Skagit tapers, are the most effective for fishing the Deschutes. Short, mid, and long belly lines are appropriate at times. The Deschutes has been a favorite of single handed fly casters for decades. We will accommodate your casting preference. Read more about spey fishing for steelhead.
Lower Deschutes River Float Trips
July is our first month of Deschutes steelhead fishing. We begin floating the lower river early in the month, camping out to reach the best water. Mack's Canyon to Heritage Landing is a twenty-five mile float trip with minimal road access. Spending three to five days on this stretch of river is the only way to fish mid-summer. The weather is amazing. The water is epic. Read about our Deschutes River three day steelhead float trip.
Maupin Area Float Trips
By the end of July, steelhead have made it fifty miles up river to Maupin. A one day guided float trip for steelhead will take you to some of the best steelhead water on the Deschutes, and back to the comforts of a warm Lodge on the river in Maupin, Oregon. Maupin area float trips include Pine Tree to Beavertail, Beavertail to Mack's Canyon, and Nena to Wapanitia. There is also "creative access" for one day guided steelhead trips near Maupin. Fishing the Maupin area is a productive option for the remainder of Deschutes River steelhead season (late December). Read about our guided one day steelhead float trips.
Upper River Float Trips
By late Septmeber amazing and unique fly fishing opportunities are found camping on the upper river (Trout Creek to Maupin). This 35-mile float trip is one of the best early fall steelhead fly fishing opportunity in Oregon. Steelhead fill this section of river in October and November. The Deschutes provides ideal holding water for steelhead bound for the Warm Springs River and Trout Creek... and on our guided float trips you will pass both of these important spawning tributaries. Conditions are fine for camping through November. Read about our four day steelhead float trip.
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PO Box 42, Maupin, OR 97037 / 541.978.0152 / Email / 