Trip Highlights

  • Wade and fly fish for native redband trout on the Wild & Scenic Crooked River
  • Closest guided fly fishing trip we offer to Bend, Oregon
  • Walk & wade access
  • A great option for those new to fly fishing

Trip Overview

Wade and fly fish the Wild & Scenic Crooked River, a “blue ribbon” trout stream nestled in a dramatic high desert canyon just 27 miles from Bend, Oregon. A classic tailwater, the Crooked flows cool year round and offers reliable fly fishing for native redband trout and mountain whitefish. We offer half day and full day drive-in walk and wade trips on the Crooked during most of the year.

Fishing Program

The day begins at Bend Fly Shop at 8:00 am, where you will meet your guide and get fitted with waders and wading boots for the day. From the shop you’ll drive about 40 minutes to the Crooked River. We are happy to provide transportation from the shop to the river and back, however many guests choose to follow the guide in their own vehicle. This way, if you’ve booked a half-day trip, you can stay and fish on your own longer if you’d like.

To access the river we drive along a well maintained road, then set out on foot to walk, wade, and fish. The walking and wading is generally easy and appropriate for almost anyone. Because the Crooked River runs pretty cool and you’ll be standing in the water we recommend wearing waterproof breathable waders and felt soled and/or studded wading boots. If you don’t have your own waders and wading boots rentals are available at the shop.

On the Crooked River you’ll fly fish for native redband rainbow trout that average 8 to 12 inches. Some larger trout are present and come as a welcome surprise to anglers expecting smaller fish. Mountain whitefish are abundant and provide entertainment as well. All fish are wild and native to the Crooked River. We practice catch and release and are proponents of keeping the fish in the water while handling them prior to release.

Four and five weight fly rods are appropriate for the Crooked. Small nymphs fished subsurface under a dry fly or strike indicator account for most fish caught. Dry fly fishing opportunities present themselves with regularity, usually consisting of mayflies or caddis. At the shop we have lots of fly patterns hand picked for the Crooked River.

Instruction for those new to fly fishing is part of our service. Beginning anglers tend to find the Crooked forgiving and the smaller sized fish plentiful, making the river an ideal venue to learn and explore. Our guides are patient instructors and are invested in your growth as an angler. We have lots of experience guiding kids and really enjoy helping them have fun on the water. Our goal with young anglers is to keep things light and fun and

Half day trips can be arranged as a morning or afternoon four-hour fly fishing session.

Full day trips last eight hours and include a lunch break at one of the riverside campsites.

Rates

Half Day Walk & Wade Trip: $400 (1 or 2 anglers), $450 (3)

Full Day Walk & Wade Trip: $525 (1 or 2 anglers), $600 (3)

Season

Year round

Included: Fishing equipment, waders and wading boots, snacks, drinking water. Lunch is included on full day trips.

Transportation from Bend Fly Shop to the river and back can be arranged and is part of our service.

Not Included: Fishing license, alcohol, guide gratuities.

You will be responsible for purchasing your fishing license.

Location & Travel

Trips originate at Bend Fly Shop – 50 SE Scott St, #1, Bend, OR 97702. The Crooked River below bowman dam is located 33 miles from Bend.

Pre and post trip accommodations in Bend should be handled independently.

Licenses & Permits

Fishing License: You will need a valid Oregon fishing license. One, two, and three-day angling licenses can be purchased online at https://odfw.huntfishoregon.com/customer/catalog. Annual licenses and additional info can be found at https://myodfw.com/fishing/licensing-info. You can also download the app, MyODFW, and purchase a license from your phone.

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 and Crooked Rivers.