Trip Highlights

  • Swing flies with spey rods for ocean fresh winter steelhead
  • Five incredibly scenic river systems within an hour of Tillamook, Oregon
  • Two handed casting and fishing instruction

Trip Overview

Enjoy fly fishing for winter steelhead on the beautiful rivers surrounding Oregon’s Tillamook Bay. January through April we offer daily guided float trips with a sole focus on swinging flies with spey rods for ocean fresh fish. Hearty anglers will marvel at the scenery, quality wild steelhead, and proximity to salt water. For those interested in improving their spey game we offer two handed casting and fishing instruction that is easy to digest and will surely elevate your steelheading game.

We are happy to assist you with finding accommodations in the Tillamook area to suit any budget. Alternatively, for anglers who prefer a lodge style experience, we offer full service packages featuring comfortable accommodations and thoughtfully prepared meals with an emphasis on fresh local seafood.

Fishing Program

Your guide will meet you at your accommodations around dawn. Often you will be asked to follow your guide in your own vehicle to assist with shuttling, so it is best if you have some gas in the tank. You will fish one of five different river systems within a 15 to 45 minute drive.

We use self bailing rafts to leave the beaten path and provide a unique experience with a wild and scenic ambiance. To avoid other anglers as much as possible we like to float parts of the rivers that are more difficult to access, often involving whitewater and technical boating. Safety is a top priority, and we make sure anglers are prepared with proper safety equipment and protocol.

All fishing is done on foot using spey rods, Skagit lines, and sink tips. We take full advantage of the winter fly swinging technology that is commercially available today, and employ the use of multi density sinking lines, tungsten coated sink tips, and shank and tube style flies rigged with trailing stinger hooks. We also have a deep appreciation for traditional steelhead flies and often fold them into the mix when appropriate.

The rivers along Oregon’s North coast are structurally ideal for swinging flies. You will have the opportunity to fish both classic cast and step runs and “one person” holding lies. We will impart skills, knowledge and subtle nuances so that you may capitalize on each fishing situation and maximize your effective fishing time.

Lunch is a simple streamside affair, usually hot soup or a hearty sandwich. We bring coffee and drinking water. Feel free to bring any special beverages you would like.

Fishing days often span until late afternoon or early evening.

Accomodations & Meals

Many anglers book us for daily fishing and fend for themselves regarding meals and accommodations. We know the area well and are happy to recommend restaurants and hotels or rental houses that best suit your preference.

Alternatively, to compliment to our fishing program we offer full service lodge style accommodations in the Tillamook area in packages of three to six days. This trip is best suited for groups of six anglers. Guests sleep comfortably in double occupancy rooms in a spacious house. Meals are served at the house each day and feature locally sourced ingredients in addition to fresh seafood. We have enjoyed many guests who return each season for this trip, claiming it to be a highlight of their fly fishing year.

Rates

Full Day Float:  $600 (1 or 2  anglers)

Full service trips – priced per person based on double occupancy.

Two Day, Three Night: $1525

Three Day, Four Night: $2160

Four Day, Five Night: $2795 (5 night, 4 day)

Five Day, Six Night: $3425 (6 night, 5 day)

Season

January through April

Day Trips Include: Guided fishing (one guide and boat per two anglers), lunch, water, spey rod setups, flies and fishing tackle.

Full Service Packages Include: Lodging in double occupancy rooms and meals (dinner the evening prior to fishing through breakfast the morning after your last fishing day).

Not Included: Transportation to and from Tillamook, Oregon fishing license, waders and wading boots, alcohol, guide / staff gratuities.

You Will Need: Valid Oregon fishing license and steelhead tag, waders and wading boots.

Sample Itinerary

Arrival

Fly into Portland (PDX), rent a car, and drive approximately 2 hours to your accommodations in or near Tillamook, Oregon. Meals and accommodations handled independently. We provide a custom itinerary for full service trips.

Fishing Days

Meet your guide at your accommodations for 2 to 4 days of fishing.

Departure

Check out by 11:00 am, drive back to Portland, fly out of PDX.

Location & Travel

Our coastal winter steelhead trips are based out of Tillamook, Oregon. Guests arriving by plane typically fly into Portland, rent a car, and drive approx. 1.5 hours to Tillamook. Lodging options vary from hotel to beach house rentals or riverside lodge.

We do offer full service packages that include means and lodging. Otherwise accommodations should be handled independently.

Licenses & Permits

Fishing License: You will need a valid Oregon angling license and steelhead tag.  Daily combo license are available and include the steelhead tag (available online at https://or.outdoorcentral.us/or/license).

Bend Fly Shop’s outfitter, Chris O’Donnell’s Guide Service, is an equal opportunities recreation provider operating under special recreation permits granted by the Bureau of Land Management for the Lower Deschutes, Crooked, and John Day Rivers.