The Lower Deschutes River: Epic in Every Way

It's difficult to articulate everything that can and might possibly happen on your Deschutes Day Trip in a few brief paragraphs, but first thing's first; You do not need to be an expert angler to have a great day with a Lower Deschutes River fly fishing guide! We’ve hosted thousands of people down there who’ve never even held a fly rod. And you don’t need to own fly fishing equipment. We supply everything. You just show up with a smile and willingness to learn. For us, getting a client who’s never fly fished into their first trout on the Lower D is a major rush and one of our favorite things.

Your experience with one of our local guides will be an all-day adventure. Throughout the day you’ll drift nearly ten miles, stopping along the way to fish and eat lunch. During the summer months, we offer either an early on/early off or mid-day till dark schedule. What’s important to understand is that every part of the day will be taken care of. From getting you rigged up and putting you on the most productive waters, to working on presentations, and making sure every aspect of your technique is optimized. We will shop for and prepare your food, arrange shuttles, and get you back to your car at the end of the day. All you have to do be ready for an epic experience - because the Deschutes River canyon is epic in every way!

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Your Turn To Live the Experience

Once you’ve booked a guided fly fishing trip on the Lower Deschutes River, we will schedule a time for you to stop by the shop and get geared up for the day. For some, that simply means getting a boater’s pass and a few flies. For others, we will fit you in waders and boots, get you your license, Tribal permits and anything else you might need. We’ll arrange a meeting place and time for you and your guide. The day of the trip you will meet your guide and all ride together to the boat ramp. Once on the river, the canyon envelops you and the day becomes one you’ll never forget. We stop along the way to get out and fish and depending on the day, we’ll target riffles, pools, banks with overhanging foliage, and runs; wherever we think the fish are most actively feeding. We can nymph fish under indicators, use dries along the bank, swing, and strip articulated sculpin patterns. Fly fishing the Lower Deschutes River here in Central Oregon is a dynamic and multi-faceted experience and we can't wait for you to join us.

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FAQ’s About Deschutes Day Trips

What is included on a Lower Deschutes Day Trip?
As with all our guided adventures, rod, reel, waders, and boots are included in the price. We will serve a full lunch at a beautiful spot along the river. Lunch will be your choice of grilled chicken, brats, burgers, or a deli-style sandwich. All of the above will be served with a couple sides and a dessert. The cooler will be full of cold soda, Gatorade, and water. If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, we will accommodate you and your party.
What should I bring for a day on the water?
We recommend some sunscreen, lip balm, and anything you might need to snack on before or after lunch. Bring a camera or your phone for getting the “grip-n-grin” shot! Also, we are not allowed to supply any alcoholic beverages to our clients. Having said that, you are more than welcome to bring a six-pack or whatever your beverage preference is. We’ve been informed, by perfectly reliable sources, that a cold beer goes nicely with a day of floating the river.
What isn't included on a Deschutes Day Trip?
You will be responsible for purchasing a few flies for the day. If you do not already have an Oregon Fishing License we can sell you one here at the shop either the day of the trip or beforehand. For the Lower Deschutes, we need to purchase a boater’s pass, which costs $4-8 per person depending on the time of the season. Also, we highly recommend a Tribal Pass, which allows us to fish the Warm Springs Reservation side of the river and costs $14 per person for the day. Our guided trips are always BYOB and let’s not forget a generous gratuity for the guide!
What species of fish can we expect on the Lower D?
The prized quarry down there most of the year is Redband rainbow trout. This is an extraordinarily beautiful, native fish that has called the Lower Deschutes home for millennia. One of the remarkable things about the river is that no other species of trout has ever been introduced, so we have a properly native trout. As with all native fisheries, there are not gazillions of trout and they do not grow huge. What you get instead is the chance to cradle nature in its unaltered perfection. No two Redbands look alike. They are easily, pound-for-pound, the hardest fighting rainbow trout you will ever meet. And once you’ve encountered one, you will never think of trout fishing with a fly rod the same again. The river is also home to native whitefish, which are no pushover. There are a few “butter bellies” in there, which is a native bottom feeder and grows massive. Bull trout still reside in the Lower Deschutes although not in the numbers the river once knew. They are federally endangered down there. Meeting one is the rarest treat, but happens just often enough to keep us feeling positive about their chances.
What should I wear for a day on the Lower D?
Dressing properly is an important aspect of an enjoyable day on the water. In the spring and fall that can mean anything from a puffy jacket and beanie to flip-flops, shorts and a sun hat. During the summer, the vast majority of the time we are in lightweight, UV protectant clothes, and a large-brimmed hat. Often during the summer months, we actually wet-wade down there. For that, we fit you in boots that you won’t wear waders with. We recommend a good pair of polarized sunglasses for maximum water visibility and UV protection.
How many people can go on a Lower Deschutes trip?
The maximum per boat is three, with some exceptions, when we might recommend two. We can take multiple boats out for larger parties. A day on the Lower Deschutes with a large group can be tons of fun. For such outings, we also offer all-inclusive pricing. Contact the shop at 1-866-800-2812 for how that works!

We Offer a Variety of Local, Scenic Trips

$650 2 anglers

Camp Trips

$475 Half DAy

Lake Trips

$400 Most popular

Walk & Wade Trips

$600 Starting At

Group Trips

Let's Go!

We offer a variety of guided fly fishing trip packages to ensure that each angler gets the highest quality experience available to them. If the Deschutes Day Trip doesn't sound like the perfect fit, check out our other options including Deschutes Camp Trips, Walk and Wade, or the highly sought-after Steelhead Guided Trips. We look forward to seeing you on the water! Fly & Field Outfitters is here to make your experience chasing fish in our local waters one that will not soon be forgotten.

If you have any further questions about a guided day trip fly fishing on the Lower Deschutes, please don't hesitate to call the shop at 541-318-1616 or email us at info@flyandfield.com.

Policies

Early season reservations will allow you to secure the dates desired. A 50% deposit is required to secure dates, refundable if cancellation is received no less than thirty (30) days prior to trip date. Trips proceed regardless of weather conditions. We reserve to right to cancel in the event of unsafe conditions or other circumstances beyond our control. If we cancel your trip, your deposit will be refunded or applied to a future date that is mutually acceptable.

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