DESCHUTES RIVER STEELHEAD GUIDED FLY FISHING TRIPS

Fly fishing the Deschutes River for steelhead is an iconic experience steeped in history and natural beauty. Located in central Oregon, the Deschutes River flows for 252 miles, originating from the Cascade Mountains and winding its way through stunning landscapes, including deep canyons and lush forests. The river is renowned for its crystal-clear waters and exceptional fishing opportunities, particularly for steelhead, which are migratory fish that travel from the ocean to spawn in river systems.

Historically, the Deschutes has attracted anglers since the early 20th century, with its first recorded steelhead catch dating back to the 1930s. The river's steelhead population is bolstered by both wild and hatchery fish, making it a prime destination for enthusiasts seeking the thrill of catching these powerful fish. Fly fishing techniques here often involve swinging wet flies or using spey casting methods, allowing anglers to cover expansive water with ease.

Deschutes River steelhead usually start arriving in fishable numbers in mid-July and run until the end of the season in December. We feel the best 'prime' time to take Deschutes Steelhead on a floating line is from late August through October to early November.

These unique steelhead are well known for their smashing surface strikes and long line ripping runs. To increase your chances of success, when fishing for steelhead on the Deschutes River you try to cover as much water as possible. For this reason our Single-Day Steelhead Trips are a full day of guiding and fishing, from sun up, 'til sun down. To take full advantage and maximize the short season and to increase your chances of landing a Deschutes Steelhead, we recommend our camping trips. With, we live, eat and breathe steelhead fishing. During our Multi-Day Camp Trips, we cover up to 35 miles of river, fishing every inch of steelhead water from Macks Canyon to the mouth - This alone will increase your chances of catching a Deschutes Steelhead.

The steelhead on the Deschutes vary in size by what strain of fish they are:
A–run steelhead averaging 3 – 6 lbs enter the river in August – September
B–run steelhead averaging 6 – 10 lbs enter the river in September – November

There are also steelhead entering the river which are not considered native Deschutes River Steelhead. These non-native steelhead are referred to as strays, with the majority of these fish originating from Idaho. Strays enter the Lower Deschutes River for a short lay-over, until river conditions become conducive for them to continue their journey home to Idaho. Strays can average in size up to 20 lbs.

The Deschutes River truly offers some of the best surface steelhead fishing opportunities in the U.S.