Lower Deschutes River | Drift Boat & 4x4 Access
The West Side is the Best Side...
The 39 miles of the Lower Deschutes River on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation offers world class fly fishing for Rainbow Trout & Steelhead. The Deschutes River is one of the premier trout rivers in the nation with 1,700 fish per mile. The river is equally special for the great steelhead fishing.
The most celebrated trout water is the section below Pelton dam where Littleleaf Guide Service takes our clients. This cascading stretch of water holds excellent hatches of caddisflies, mayflies, stoneflies, and midges.
We are the only outfitter to offer single day trips on the Native side of the River. While the other side of the river has lots of pressure our clients fish on tribal lands where we have the river to ourselves.
Essentially we have 39 private unspoiled miles of fishing access you can choose between our luxury Pavati Warrior drift boat and 4 wheel drive trips. We are the only company that offers vehicle access.
TROUT | Rainbow & Redside
Fish our Native Waters...
The Deschutes River is home to the Columbia River Redband Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri) known locally as "redsides". The redsides grow larger than most trout and also have a distinct darker red stripe than most wild rainbow trout.
The section we take our guests on is Oregon's finest fly fishing section for native rainbow trout. These native trout grow thick and extremely powerful for their size. Averaging 15-18 inches with large ones topping out around 25 inches, these unique rainbow trout are notorious for their strength, often running harder and jumping higher than rainbow trout in any other river. They are noticeably stronger than trout who do not have to cope with life in such a big, powerful river.
It is common for our clients to catch multiple trout over 20 inches in a day.
Legendary | STEELHEAD | Fishing
We have access like no others...
The Lower Deschutes River in Oregon has one of the best runs of steelhead in the United States. Perfect water temperatures, regulated flows and the presence of hatchery and wild steelhead makes the Deschutes River one of the most consistent steelhead fisheries. Deschutes River Steelhead average between 23"-29 inches in length, and weigh between 6 to 9 pounds. Larger steelhead up 14+ pounds are caught each season by our guests.
These powerful fish begin migrating up the Deschutes River from the Pacific Ocean in July, and occupy the river through March. By late July or beginning of August, there are excellent numbers of steelhead in the Deschutes River. By September fish are spread throughout the entire river, with the run peaking in late September - early November. When the weather cools in September, the steelhead respond. They are notorious risers for skated dries and initiate takes that leave even fly fishing veterans exhilarated.
The following PASSES & LICENSES | are required:
Bring your own gear and the following:
- Boater Pass (per boater) - https://www.recreation.gov/permits/251980
- Oregon Fishing License (per client) - https://myodfw.com/fishing/licensing-info
- Tribal Permit Area 2 (per client) - https://fisheries.warmsprings-nsn.gov/fishing-areas/deschutes-river-area-2/
We do not provide any gear other than a small selection of flies we tie, please bring your own chest high waders and all rods, reels and flies.
Wading boots must be studded...the river has been becoming more and more slippery every year!