Trip Highlights
- Float the lower 23 miles of the Deschutes River from Mack’s Canyon to the mouth
- Swing flies with spey rods for hot summer steelhead
- Float and fish a new stretch of river each day
- Meals and camping equipment provided
Trip Overview
Swing flies with confidence. Our multi-day steelhead float trips cover 23+ miles of the Lower Deschutes River in three to five days. Relax and absorb the rugged beauty of the canyon from Mack’s Canyon to the mouth of the Deschutes as you drift from one seductive steelhead run to another. Each day you will methodically fish a new stretch of river, arriving afterward to a fully prepared camp. Meals and camping equipment are provided, allowing you and your guide to focus on fishing.
Fishing Program
Accommodations & Meals
After fishing each day you will arrive at our fully prepared mobile streamside camp. Each day while you are fishing our camp staff is busy hauling gear down river, setting up camp, and preparing the evening’s meal. Without the hassle of setting up camp, you and your guide focus on fishing.
We sleep two guests per tent. Our Eureka outfitter tents are over six feet tall and equipped with sturdy padded cots. We are happy to accommodate special sleeping arrangements with advanced notice. During fall a steel framed canvas wall tent serves as the centerpiece of camp. Here we gather for meals, comradery, and occasionally for shelter. During the warmest months of summer we dine under an open sky.
The meals we serve are simple preparations, featuring a rotation of fresh seasonal ingredients. We love to cook and eat, and enjoy sharing our passion for food on the river. We strive to provide hearty and healthy meals that our guests look forward to each day. We are happy to accommodate dietary requirements and preferences.
Rates
Three Day, Two Night Float: $1850
Four Day, Three Night Float: $2250
Camp trips priced per angler, minimum four anglers. Smaller groups can be accommodated, the price will just be more.
July through November
Included: One guide and boat per two anglers, all meals from lunch on first day through lunch on the last day, camping equipment (please bring your own sleeping bag), fly rod setups, waders and wading boots. Please advise if anyone needs rods and/or waders and boots.
Not Included: Flies, transportation to Mack’s Canyon Campground, vehicle shuttle ($110 per vehicle), alcohol, staff / guide gratuities, sleeping bag and pillow, Deschutes Boater Pass, and Oregon fishing license.
You Will Need: Fishing license and steelhead tag (combined angling license) and Columbia Basin Endorsement, Deschutes Boater Pass, sleeping bag and pillow. We can assist you with obtaining most of these items.
Sample Itinerary
Fly in to PDX, rent a car, and drive to Maupin. Stay the night in Maupin.
Drive to Mack's Canyon before sunrise the first morning of the trip. Meet your guide at Mack's at 5:00 am. Three full days of fishing.
Half fishing day. Take out around 1:00 or 2:00 pm at Heritage Landing. Your vehicle will be there when you arrive.
Location & Travel
Deschutes steelhead camp trips begin at the boat launch at the Mack’s Canyon Campground on the Lower Deschutes River 27 miles North of Maupin, Oregon. Guests arriving by plane typically fly into Portland, rent a car, and drive approx. 2 hrs to Maupin. Spending the night in Maupin prior to your float is highly recommended as we start before sunrise and Mack’s Canyon is a one hour drive from Maupin. Please be advised that the last 17 miles of the drive to Mack’s Canyon is on a gravel road that varies in quality throughout the season.
Pre and post accommodations in Maupin should be handled independently.
Licenses & Permits
Fishing License – You will need a valid Oregon fishing license and hatchery salmon/steelhead harvest card, as well as a Columbia Basin Endorsement. Three-day combined angling licenses (includes harvest card) and Columbia Basin Endorsements 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. ***combined angling license / hatchery salmon/steelhead harvest card is required even if you don’t plan to keep any fish. All wild steelhead are released.***
Boater Pass – You will need a Deschutes Boater Pass (one Boater pass will cover the group), required by the Bureau of Land Management and available online at https://www.recreation.gov/permits/251980. Boater Passes cost $5/person/day + $6 transaction fee, and are limited in availability during peak season. To save time and eliminate the hassle, most of our guests prefer to have us purchase the Boater Pass on their behalf.
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.