Trip Highlights
- Float 35 miles of the Wild & Scenic Deschutes River from the comfort and safety of a drift boat
- Wade and fly fish for wild “redside” rainbow trout
- Fish and float a new stretch of river each day
- All meals and camping equipment included
Trip Overview
Our Deschutes River fly fishing and camping float trips span 35 river miles from Trout Creek to Maupin over three to five days. Fly fish for native “redside” rainbow trout each day and enjoy the ride in between fishing spots from the comfort and safety of a drift boat. The Lower Deschutes changes character around every bend, from a broad valley to rugged mountains and deep canyons. Each evening you arrive to a fully prepared riverside camp and thoughtfully prepared meals. Guests sleep two per tent on sturdy padded cots. All meals and camping equipment are included, providing turn key access to a rich and rewarding outdoor experience.
Fishing Program
Accomodations & Meals
After fishing each day you will arrive at our fully prepared mobile streamside camp. Each day while you are fishing our bagger 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 purely on fishing and having fun.
Guests sleep two 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 advance notice. During spring and fall (or any time when cooler weather is forecast) a steel framed canvas wall tent serves as the centerpiece of camp. Here we gather for meals, comradery, and occasionally shelter. During the warmest months of summer we dine under a vast open sky.
We serve a seasonal rotation of simple, fresh, and thoughtful preparations. Food, along with fly fishing, is a passion of ours that we strive to share on our river trips. Our goal is to provide hearty yet healthy meals that our guests look forward to each day. We are sensitive to dietary requirements and preferences, and gladly cater to individual needs.
Rates
Camping trips are priced per angler, minimum four. We do have options for two anglers.
Three Day, Two Night Float: $1650
Four Day, Three Night Float: $1950
March through October for trout, September through November for steelhead.
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 rods, flies and fishing tackle.
Not Included: Transportation to Trout Creek, vehicle shuttle ($65 / vehicle), Deschutes Boater Pass, Tribal Permits (if needed, we will advise), alcoholic beverages, staff / guide gratuities.
You Will Need: Fishing license, Deschutes Boater Pass, Tribal Permits (only if we put in at Warm Springs. We’ll advise), waders and / or wading boots (studded felt sole recommended), sleeping bag and pillow. We can assist you with obtaining most of these items.
Sample Itinerary
Fly into PDX, rent a car, and drive to Madras, Oregon. Overnight in Madras. Accommodations handled independently and not included.
Alternatively, overnight in Bend, Oregon. Flights into Redmond, Oregon from San Francisco, CA and Seattle, WA are available.
Meet your guide at the boat launch at Trout Creek Campgrounds at 8:00 am, 30 minutes from Madras, Oregon. two to four full fishing days, arriving at a fully catered streamside camp each evening.
Half fishing day. Arrive at the take out near Maupin, Oregon at 2:00 pm. Your vehicle will be shuttled to the take out and waiting for you when you arrive ($65 per vehicle, not included in the price of the trip). The take out is a 2 hour drive from the Portland Intl Airport (PDX) and 1.5 hours from the Redmond Airport.
Location & Travel
Our Deschutes Trout Drift begins at the Trout Creek Campgrounds boat launch, located on the Lower Deschutes River about 13 miles North of Madras, Oregon. Guests arriving by plane typically fly into Portland, rent a car, and drive approx. 2 hrs 30 min to Madras and stay at a hotel the night before the trip. From Madras it is 30 min to Trout Creek Campgrounds.
Pre and post trip accommodations in Bend or Madras should be handled independently.
Licenses & Permits
Fishing License: You will need a valid Oregon angling license (daily ($16.50 / person), three day, and five day combination angling license available online at https://or.outdoorcentral.us/or/license). You will be responsible for obtaining your fishing license.
Boater Pass: You will need a Deschutes Boater Pass, a BLM fee and document available at https://www.recreation.gov/permits/251980. Boater passes cost $6/transaction fee + $2/person (weekdays) and $8/person (weekend days) and are limited in availability during peak season (Memorial Day weekend through Octboer 15th depending on the stretch of river), so early reservations are encouraged. We are happy to assist you in obtaining your boater pass. Please contact us for details.
Tribal Permit: If we put in at Warm Springs (adding an additional ten miles to the drift, most often done on four or five day trips) each angler will need a Warm Springs Tribal Permit to access 8 miles of Indian Reservation the first day or two of the trip. We will advise as to whether or not you will need this permit. Daily permits are available at http://tribalpermit.com. We are happy to purchase your tribal permit on your behalf ($14 / person / day, not included in the price of the trip)
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.