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Deschutes River Steelhead — Trout
— Lower Deschutes — Maupin
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Fly
fish for
DESCHUTES STEELHEAD
Aug - Nov
Every summer thousands of wild and hatchery summer run steelhead begin their annual migration up the Deschutes River. Fresh fish enter the river from late June and continue moving in through late fall. By early August there are reliable numbers of steelhead spread out through the lower 40 miles of river. The long, bright, hot day's of July and most of August raise the water temperature, which in return makes for stressed out , sluggish steelhead, and all too often poor fly fishing conditions.
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By the later half of August the surface currents begin to cool down and steelhead fly fishing becomes more productive with the fish much more willing to rise to the fly. September through November are the prime months to be chasing these fish with a fly rod. Floating lines are the line of choice throughout the majority of the season, and these 4-10 lb. steelhead respond well to a swung fly fished in the traditional down and across presentation.
Spey rods and qualified instruction on their use in provided on all of our steelhead trips. Landing a steelhead on a fly is an accomplishment, requiring patience and persistence, and the Deschutes River in the fall is a high percentage steelhead stream that is well worth the time and effort.
Fly
fish for DESCHUTES TROUT year round
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Deschutes
River rainbows, referred to as "redsides," are one hundred
percent native to the Lower Deschutes and the high populations of
these adult trout are safely protected with catch and release regulations.
Spanning 12-18 inches these feisty wild trout thrive in this aquatic
insect rich river, and respond well to dry fly and sub-surface presentation
year round. Redsides feed heavily on stoneflies, caddis, mayflies,
and midges, and are great sport on the end of a 4-weight fly. Great
trout fishing is available twelve months a year on the Deschutes
with the best hatches occurring late April through October.
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LOWER
DESCHUTES RIVER
Designated
a wild and scenic river, the Lower Deschutes offers one of the most
enjoyable boat rides in the Northwest and is among the finest rainbow
trout and summer steelhead fisheries in the nation.
Exiting
Pelton Dam in remote North Central Oregon, the powerful Lower Deschutes
River carves its way through an amazing desert canyon for 100 miles,
eventually emptying into the Columbia River on the Oregon Washington
border. Fishing from a floating device is prohibited on the Deschutes
so you and your guide spend the day drifting down river and stopping
at many locations, which are effectively fished while wading. Fly fish
for wild rainbow trout year round, or test your skills against the summer
run Deschutes steelhead August through November. During the boat ride,
keep on the look out for eagles, big horn sheep, mule deer, otters and
an abundance of other wild animals that reside in the canyon.
Unlike
so many other western rivers which can be severely impacted by drought
and low water, the spring fed Deschutes is fortunate with some of the
most consistent flows in the country. The Deschutes is truly a fly fishing
paradise. Everyone deserves to experience this unique river at least
once and chances are they will be back again.
MAUPIN
The
small town of Maupin sits on the banks of the lower Deschutes River
and is home to several restaurants, lodges, a fly shop, and a local
tavern. There is also a RV park and many campgrounds. Maupin serves
as the most logical and convenient destination for planning a fishing
trip to the Deschutes and is less than a two hour drive from Portland
International Airport (PDX).
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