Oregon

Oregon The North Umpqua is the crown jewel of the Cascadian steelhead rivers. Photo: Ken Morrish

With some of the finest summer and winter steelhead rivers in the lower 48 and high-desert rivers teaming with trophy trout, Oregon is one of those sought-after, yet laid-back, places that simply has it all. The following is a peek at of some of our favorite multi-day trips in the state we love and call home.

Williamson River Fish Shack Southern Oregon’s Williamson River is home to the largest average trout of any Oregon river. A river of many moods, the Williamson often requires anglers to use every trick in the book. The rewards are worth it: most fish exceed 20 inches and catching wild specimens upwards of 10 pounds is possible. To best fish this remarkable system, we have paired up with one of our favorite guides, Paul McDonald. Paul is a Kiwi who guides winters at Poronui Lodge on New Zealand’s North Island and guides in Southern Oregon the rest of the year. He is a top-level predator, a great all-around guide, and a true pleasure to be with on the water. For anglers looking for no-frills riverside accommodations, simple meals, and long hours on the water, this two-person program is a gem. Rate: $1,300 per person for a 2 night/3 day package

Owyhee Basecamp Tucked away in eastern Oregon, not far from Boise Idaho, Oregon’s finest trophy-brown trout river flows discreetly through desert rim-rock and sage. It is a relatively small river but its honey-colored browns are anything but small, averaging 16 to 20 inches with significantly larger fish present. The Owyhee has a long season and a rich progression of vibrant insect hatches. Now, thanks to longtime guide Cory Godell, it has a full-service program perfectly suited to visiting anglers. With comfortable tents furnished with cots and pads, anglers can enjoy a great riverside experience near prime water. Cory will prepare all meals and serve them up in a dedicated dining tent. If big browns on dries and small nymphs are something you want to experience, this is the very best Oregon has to offer. Rate: $1,250 per person for a 2 night/2 ½ day package

Neahkahnie Steelhead Lodge NEW Located north of Tillamook Bay, Neahkahnie Steelhead Lodge is a deluxe new four-person winter steelheading operation headed by Jeff Hickman and his guide associate Barrett Ames. Guests have access to five unique rivers, all within an hour’s drive, where they will float in rafts getting out to swing prime runs. Additionally, this operation boasts truly incredible accommodations with stunning ocean views, single occupancy rooms and exceptional meals. Located a mere two hours from Portland International Airport, this January-April venue is not to be missed. Rate: $2,400 per person for a 4 night/3 day package

Umpqua Winter Basecamp From January through March, Oregon’s famed North Umpqua River transforms into a brilliant winter steelhead system that is home to some of the largest anadromous specimens in the West. To help share the wonders of this impressive river with guests, Renton River Adventures has secured a large rental home where up to four guests can enjoy single-occupancy rooms and

home-cooked meals. This homestay venue is very comfortable and close to the fishing grounds. The program is ideally suited for anglers of all skill levels wanting to fish the lower river with indicators from the boat as well as those keen to swing flies in the famous “Fly Only” section. For those looking for a wild winter steelhead of a lifetime, this is the venue. Rate: $2,250 per person for a 3 night/3 day package

Umpqua Summer Basecamp Oregon’s North Umpqua River is considered the most beautiful and challenging of the Pacific Northwest’s summer steelhead systems. While all catches are hard-earned, we consider this to be among the most educational and rewarding of all steelheading venues. During July and early August, Renton River Adventures hosts up to four ambitious summer steelhead anglers in their private basecamp located in the forested hills above the North Umpqua. With comfortable wall tents on raised platforms, a camp kitchen, and a fire ring, this is the summer camp you’ve always dreamed of. Guests will fish a split-day schedule, concentrating on raising summer steelhead to dry flies during prime low-light hours. For hard-charging anglers keen on upping their game, few programs compare. Rate: $1,950 per person for a 3 night/3 day package

Lower Deschutes Float Trips The lower Deschutes River is a desert oasis that roars its way through a vast, scenic canyon. The waterway has the distinction of being one of Oregon’s best rainbow trout fisheries, as well as a fantastic venue for summer steelhead. Renton River Adventures offer a variety of multi-day float trips that cumulatively cover all 100 miles of the lower Deschutes, where, depending on the season, anglers can target steelhead, trout, or both on the same trip. The Rentons are well known for setting up some of the most comfortable camps on the river. Guests float into fully equipped camps where they enjoy gourmet meals and spacious, double-occupancy wall tents, all within a stone’s throw of fantastic water. Rate: $2,000 per person for a 3 night/4 day package based on 2 or 4 anglers

Lower Deschutes Steelhead Jet Boat Camp For anglers serious about targeting summer steelhead and improving their anadromous fishing skills, the Lower Deschutes Jet Boat Camp is an ideal program. To make these trips possible, David and Dillon Renton operate under All Star Rafting’s permit to offer jet boat trips of the highest quality. These trips have a strategic advantage, allowing guests to chase shaded runs both up and downstream of camp. Multi-day trips are available beginning the third week of August and run through November. These trips are best suited for groups of two to five anglers. Rate: $2,400 per person for a 3 night/4 day package based on 2-3 anglers

Morrison’s Rogue River Lodge The Rogue River is one of the most consistent and approachable steelhead fisheries in the lower 48. Regardless of fly fishing technique, the Rogue has wonderful water for all. Morrison’s Rogue River Lodge is the region’s oldest and most established full-service fishing lodge. With tasteful accommodations overlooking the river, fine dining, and daily guided drift boat trips targeting adult and “half-pounder” steelhead, Morrison’s remains the region’s classic fall steelheading destination. Rate: $1,699 plus tax per person for a 4 night/3 day package for 2 or more anglers

Northern Oregon Coast From mid-January through April, the rivers surrounding the greater Tillamook Bay region on the northern Oregon coast transform into some of the most productive and seductive winter steelhead rivers in North America. Structurally they are a swing fisherman’s paradise and the quarry is almost always sea-bright, wild, and willing to chase a well-swung fly. For anyone interested in perfecting the art of Spey casting while fishing for some of the world’s finest winter steelhead, this is a spectacular venue.

Lodging options include hotels and inns in the charming towns of Cannon Beach, Manzanita, or Tillamook, Oregon. Rates: $600 per day for 1 or 2 anglers

Wild and Scenic Rogue River Steelhead Trips Designated as one of the eight original Wild and Scenic Rivers in the United States, the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue is a classic American multi-day float trip. The river’s expansive views and deep cut canyons are home to summer and winter steelhead as well as some of the most diverse flora and fauna in Oregon. To experience this wondrous venue, we’ve teamed up with James and Kait Sampsel of Humble Heron Fly Fishing and Momentum River Expeditions to offer anglers the best of the Rogue River Canyon. The Sampsels focus on targeting the Rogue’s summer run steelhead and “half-pounder” steelhead on both lodge-to-lodge trips and camping trips. On lodge-to-lodge trips, guests will stay at a different riverside wilderness lodge each night. Camp trips are comfortable, innova tive, and are designed to position hard-charging anglers on prime steelhead runs each morning and evening of their trip. Rate: $2,300 per person for a 3 night/4 day package based on 2-6 anglers