If you've never experienced the special thrill of float fishing with a guide, you're in for
the trip of a lifetime. Our professional rowers will get you right into the big ones, so all
you have to do is sit back and haul them in! Float fishing is extremely productive
because we cover so much more water than bank anglers ever could, and because we can
access waters closed to walk-ins or drive-ins. Most of our rivers don't allow motorized
craft, for a true wilderness experience.
Unless otherwise stated, all trips are conducted
with a guest-guide ratio of 2:1, in luxurious driftboats, or in sporty go-anywhere pontoon
boats. For the adventurous fishing maniac, we also offer paddle-yourself trips, where a
guide escorts you and your group into remote waterways never before fished by other
anglers due to the difficult access!
Bask in High Desert sunshine while you enjoy spectacular wilderness bass fishing. Fish landed to the boat average 50 per person per day; catches up to 100 per person per day are not unusual! Thrill to the sight of fish after fish torpedoing up from the bottom after your popper or lure! Many of our anglers experience "double" bass fishing here (two anglers on the same boat both hooked into fish at the same time, or one angler with two fish on the same lure, often with a third fish in hot pursuit!). Fish average 1/2 to 2 pounds, with trophies up to 6 pounds. We can accommodate anglers of all experience levels, from beginners who use our gear with instructions, to veteran fly rodders. Tackle depends on water levels and season; call for our gear list.
Enjoy great meals, stunning deep-canyon scenery, historic sites. Private lands surrounding the canyons limit public access to float-in only along most of this river. Boats are 16-foot pontoons or driftboats (depending on water levels) rowed by guides, limit 2 fishing guests per boat. Non-anglers can be accommodated with advance notice. Please, catch and release only for all bass (exception: a few hard-hooked medium-sized fish may be kept, at your guide's discretion, for the breakfast table).
Season: Open all year for smallmouth bass. Best float fishing occurs during the spawn (late May through the end of June, most years), and when waters warm (July through October). When conditions are right, we can catch bass here during any month of the year -- call us first!
Bass Master Trip, 6 days, $799 per person.
Fish the famed Hoot Owl Canyon for the big ones. Continental breakfasts get us on the river early. For the serious bass angler, truly an unforgettable trip.
Bass Sampler Trip, 3 days, $399 per person.
Fish the scenic upper section. Good for
beginners, or anyone needing a shorter or more leisurely trip.
Bass Shortie Trip, 1 day, $250 per boat.
Perfect alternative to golfing or hiking while
visiting Central Oregon resorts. We can pick you up at resorts and motels; just call.
Umpqua River, Southern Oregon, Whitewater Moderate (Class II+)
Two hour drive from Grants Pass/Ashland or Eugene/Springfield, Oregon Shakespeare
Festival, Wildlife Safari, North Umpqua (legendary summer steelhead as well as fantastic
whitewater rafting).
Float through sunny, tree-carpeted canyons while enjoying great smallmouth fishing. This is a good trip for anglers who don't care for the driving and floating distances involved in John Day bassing. Fish are almost as numerous, although not quite as large. To encourage the regrowth of the Umpqua bass fishery, we strongly emphasize catch and release, especially for all fish 2 pounds and larger. We fish the main stem Umpqua, which is gaining in prominence, and also our Discovery River, the South Fork Umpqua, which is relatively unknown except to locals.
Bass Master Trip, 2 days, $350 per person.
A great getaway for the serious bass
angler, without a huge investment in time. Fish your brains out over a weekend, or
enjoy the solitude of a mid-week trip. We can stay at a resort if you like.
Bass Shortie, 1 day, $250 per boat.
We guarantee you will hook at least 50 bass
during this one-day float, or we will refund 1/2 your payment! Main Stem or South Fork
Umpqua, depending on season.
Season: Open all year for smallmouth bass. Best fishing occurs when waters drop and warm (May through October).
Owyhee River, Southeastern Oregon, Whitewater Advanced (Class III-IV)
Two hour drive from Boise, Idaho. Near Malheur Wildlife Refuge, Owyhee Reservoir.
For the ultimate in wilderness bass fishing, you can't beat the Owyhee. Truly the most spectacular scenery anywhere, comparable to Bryce and Zion canyons, with wonderful natural hot springs where we rig up our popular 104-degree, never-ending shower. We seldom see other boaters, much less anglers, on this very remote stream, due to difficult access. For the hard-core fishing adventurer only!
We also catch some trout and channel catfish on this trip, but not your usual cats. These guys thrive in strong currents and actually strike many lures. Fishing is catch and release only except for a few catfish which we may fry up for breakfast (excellent eating!)
Season: Traditional float season is March into early June for whitewater boaters. Fine for splash and giggle, but for bass we go later, June through October, water levels permitting. This trip may be paddle-yourself only depending on water levels, so call us first for more information, but only if you are a bass fishing lunatic.
Fish the famed Wild & Scenic stretch of the Rogue, beloved by Western novelist Zane Grey. We feel the best fishing here is for the Rogue's famous feisty "half-pounders". These are muscular, active fish that are simply fun to catch! Summer and fall steelhead or spring Chinook salmon angling is also good. You don't need a steelhead tag for the half-pounders, but you'll want to get one just in case you hook into one of their big brothers!
Remember, we fish only the wilderness section for overnight trips, so competition with other anglers is limited. You may choose rustic lodge accommodations, including remote Paradise Lodge, OR our unique "Luxury Campout" with hot water for bathing (shower or bath) and cots or air mattresses with Elk Hunter tents -- or a combination of both. Please bear in mind that lodge accommodations may need to be reserved over a year in advance, while the campout trips run on any of our scheduled dates, or on other dates with sufficient advance notice. We feel our Luxury Campout option offers much greater flexibility for fishing; since we can stay almost anywhere, and not push downstream to get to a lodge, your angling experience will be wonderfully productive, as well as a unique adventure you'll always cherish! We challenge the lodges to beat our camp chefs: French Apple Pie, real Sourdough Biscuits, made-on-the-river Spicy Salsa, "Death By Chocolate" (sorry, no recipes unless you join our trip!).
Both spin and fly rods work well here during the later part of the season, when we float.
Season: late August through October for half-pounders, steelhead, fall Chinook. May only for spring chinook. Dec.-Feb. for winter steelhead. Winter trips for steelhead available by request for 2 or more anglers depending on water conditions; call first. Winter trips are always lodge overnighting unless you don't mind the Luxury Campout. Propane heaters for the boats are standard; winter trips here are actually fairly comfortable (low elevation means little snow), and the solitude during the off-off season is superb!
Note: Rogue trips launch only on specified days May-November unless you have made advance inquiry for other dates. For current available dates, please see our regular trip schedule.
Luxury Campout, 5 days, $799 per person.
(You may substitute one night in a lodge
for a total of $849 if you wish). Driftboat only unless you prefer the splashier pontoon
or raft. Fish the river like Zane Grey did, camping on beautiful sandbars or lush
meadows.
Luxury Campout, 4 days, $699 per person.
The same trip as above, with less fishing
time, for those who need a shorter trip. You can do 3 days if you must, but this requires
pushing downriver. Cost for 3 days is $599 per person.
Rustic Lodge Trip, 3 days, $749 per person.
Perfect for those who can't stand the
thought of "sleeping on the ground," or whose idea of camping out is sleeping at the
Motel 6 with the window open. Give us as much advance notice as you can for this trip.
Rogue Shortie, 1 day, $250 per boat.
Good sampler trip best August through fall,
suitable for the bait fisherman as well as those who prefer lures or flies.
Deschutes River, Central Oregon (see John Day), Whitewater Medium (Class III).
1 hour from Bend/Redmond (Eagle Crest, Sunriver, Black Butte, Kah-Nee-Ta resorts).
One of the world's greatest fly-fishing rivers, the Deschutes must be experienced to be believed! This river is managed as a wild-trout hatchery, so you'll hook lots of muscular "redsides" -- the native rainbows that are found only in Central Oregon. Fish are both aggressive and explosive. Redsides average 14-19"; rainbows up to 18", summer and fall steelhead up to 14 pounds. The Deschutes offers two distinct sections to fish: upper and lower. We recommend some fishing and wading experience before you attempt an overnight Deschutes River fishing trip. If you are a novice, please consider our Shortie adventure, or join us for an overnight rafting trip and fish from camp. Wading can be dangerous along this river without a guide! Also, please consider midweek trips whenever possible so that we have the river pretty much to ourselves; we do get a lot of splash and giggle rafters during summer weekends.
Fly anglers prefer the upper river (May-July best) where hatches occur all year round, climaxing with the notorious Salmon Fly (stone or May fly) explosion in late May and early June, when trout go crazy with a feeding frenzy. Midges, nymphs, caddis, and other imitations all work well here. Waders are essential because fishing from the boats is not allowed (too easy!). {Please note that handicapped anglers (wheelchair) may fish from the boat here and our trips are fully handicapped accessible, with a 10% discount for all wheelchair anglers. Let us know your needs.}
Upper Deschutes, 4 days, $699 per person. 3 days, $549 per person.
We recommend
4 days whenever possible so you may enjoy the most fishing.
On the lower Deschutes, most anglers concentrate on summer and fall steelhead, averaging 10-12 pounds, both native and hatchery (natives must be released unharmed). Best season is August-December. Trout available also. Lures work well here, but the ambitious fly angler can score also.
Lower Deschutes, 3 days, $549 per person.
This section is fewer miles between boat
ramps, so we are able to do lots of great fishing over a long weekend.
Deschutes Shortie, 1 day, $250 per boat.
We can float either section, or have a
jetsled trip on the lower section only. The perfect getaway from Central Oregon resorts.
Pickup and return to resort almost always available.
Crooked River, Central Oregon, Whitewater Moderate (Class II)
or None
Near most resorts, attractions include Ogden Lookout (deep gorge), Smith Rock State Park
(rock climbing), Lake Billy Chinook (reservoir fishing).
Another Discovery River for you to enjoy. The Crooked is open all year for trout fishing, and the redsides are just as fierce as those on the Deschutes. There are also lots of nice rainbows, plus some hatchery trout if you wish to keep one or two fish for breakfast. Bait is allowed only during trout season (April 23-Oct. 31); the remainder of the season is barbless hooks, catch and release only.
We offer two different guided excursions here. Float fishing below Prineville Dam is great anytime of the year, and trophy trout are up to 30" long. We run in driftboats or pontoons, depending on the season. The winter fishing here can be excellent. In summer, float fish here or get your heart pounding with a hike-in trip into the incredible sheer-walled Crooked River Gorge (sorry, it's too low to float, even with a kayak!). Our guides know all the secret accesses that get you into the hot fishing holes down in the bottom of these spectacular basalt cliffs, where you'll fish alongside golden eagles, wild mink, and curious mule deer.
Crooked River Shortie Float Trip, 1 day, $250 per boat.
Anytime during the year --
in the winter, we use a propane heater to keep you warm. Also good for scenic trips.
Crooked River Hike-in, 1 day, $200 for 1-3 anglers.
You must be in good physical
condition (no triple-bypasses, please) for this super trout adventure. Combine this trip
with any other Central Oregon float trip and receive a 25% discount.
McKenzie River, Central Cascades, Whitewater Moderate (Class II-III)
Near Sisters, Eugene/Springfield, Eagle Crest, Black Butte.
This beautiful stream harbors both native and hatchery trout, including the fighting redsides, plus great runs of salmon and summer steelhead. If you can't catch your share of hatchery trout for lunch, we'll buy you dinner! The McKenzie is where the world's greatest fishing dory, the McKenzie driftboat, originated, so of course we follow tradition and fish from these maneuverable, dry, stable (and incredibly graceful) craft. Perfect for the beginner, fun for the expert.
McKenzie Shortie, 1 day, $200 per boat.
Available anytime. Call us up to 11:30 p.m.
the night before you want to go, if you have to!
Grande Ronde River, Northeast Oregon, Whitewater Moderate (Class II-III)
Off I-84 from Columbia Gorge, about 3 hours from Portland, 1 hour from Pendleton, near
Wallowa Mountains (pack trips, hiking, wilderness lake fishing).
Join us for this beautiful forested wilderness canyon trip, with great catches of trout (lots of natives), plus fall/winter steelhead. We always see big-game animals along this remote river, even in summer: Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, bighorn sheep (near the area where the legendary monster bighorn "Spot" died of old age!). Bald and golden eagles, otter, bobcat, black bear, and waterfowl also!
Season: Summer for trout (closed to summer steelhead), fall/winter for steelhead.
Trout Blaster, 3 days, $459 per person.
Anytime during the summer or early fall for
2+ anglers (best after June).
Steelie Trip, 3 days, $459 per person.
Anytime during fall or winter, water levels
permitting, for 2+ anglers. This trip may be combined with a self-guided elk or deer
hunt at no extra charge.
THE QUICKIE DAY TRIP
Portland-area Shortie trips, $200 per boat, limit 2 anglers.
At any time of the year, Oregon rivers offer fantastic fishing. We offer day trips on the
Sandy, Clackamas, Willamette and Columbia rivers. The Columbia is open all year for
6-foot (and larger!) sturgeon, near spectacular Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River
Gorge, and we also do fishing trips on the beautiful and productive Klickitat River in
Washington State (near Hood River and windsurfing parks) for trout and steelhead.
Southern Oregon Shortie, $200 per boat.
For salmon and steelhead, we fish the upper Willamette, the Santiam out of Salem, the
lower North Umpqua, the Siuslaw and other coastal rivers (best in winter). Trips
available all year, depending on seasons and water conditions (there is always a
steelhead run somewhere in Oregon, near where you are!) Please try to give us a few
days' notice so that we can call our always-out-there fishing guides to determine which
river offers prime float trip conditions to make your trip productive and unforgettable!
Elk and deer:
You must apply for tags by advance drawing for all hunts except
blacktail buck. Many antlerless elk tags are available for the Grande Ronde area, during
prime steelhead season. There are also two bull elk seasons in this area.
Rocky Mountain elk
(east of the Cascades) season is usually two periods, one in late
October or early November and the second season in mid-Nov; antlerless elk seasons
vary but usually are around Thanksgiving.
Mule deer
seasons are usually early to mid Oct. Many antlerless tags available along
John Day, some on Grande Ronde, at later dates. Buck hunting available along both.
Chukkar:
Fall is best. We float the lower canyon of the John Day (great with a bass
trip, and if the water temperature drops too low for bass, the steelhead start hitting!),
and the Owyhee (only with sufficient water levels). Walk-in hunting also available. Yes,
we can float your dog down the river with us, and we'll even throw in a PFD (pooch
flotation device). Call for seasons and rates.
BOATS: All of our fishing trips are one guide for two clients in each boat, unless you wish to add a third person to your boat. Our fishing trips are in driftboats or pontoons unless you have arranged for other craft such as rafts or paddle-yourself one-man boats. We reserve the right to supply the type of craft needed to suit particular water conditions, or to improve your safety.
NON-ANGLERS: You may bring along a person who doesn't fish without additional cost on any one-day trip, unless conditions don't allow this. Lunch is included. If you have several sightseers, the driftboat offers a wonderful introduction to whitewater, without getting wet, cold or scared, for $200 a boat (2-3 people, or 4 if 2 are young children) on most rivers. Non-anglers on overnight trips may deduct 20% from their cost total, although they may have to ride separate from the anglers.
TACKLE: We provide a complete list of the best things to bring. You may bring your own rods and lures (most experienced anglers prefer this) or use the ones our guides provide. Choose a medium-sized tackle box that will fit in the front seat with you and your partner.
MINIMUMS: We charge per boat for 1-day trips (a fishing boat takes 1 or 2 anglers) so that you can enjoy a superior fishing experience. On certain overnight trips, we may ask for a group minimum of 2 to 4 anglers, depending on the season. If your group is smaller, please call first. We can usually fit you in with another group.
LICENSES AND TAGS: You need both a license and a tag only when fishing with an annual license for salmon/steelhead; the short-term permits cover all. For a copy of the Oregon regulations, contact the ODFW, 2501 SW 1st, PO Box 59, Portland OR 97207; 503/229-5400. Someone at our shop usually knows current rates if you call. For hunting, you need a license, then a tag for the species you want: elk, deer, etc. You need an upland bird stamp for chukker, in addition to the hunting license. For hunting regulations, contact the ODFW above (remember that big game and bird regulations are separate publications).
Fishing licenses:
Non-resident annual, $40.50; 7-day, $30.50; 1-day, $6.75; salmon steelhead tag, $10.50.
Hunting licenses:
Non-resident annual, $53.00; deer tag, $176.00; general elk tag, $291.00.
Resident Sports Pac:
$101.00 includes hunting, fishing, fall bear tag, cougar, elk and deer
voucher tags, upland game bird stamp, waterfowl, spring turkey, salmon/steelhead tag,
sturgeon tag, may apply for controlled hunts for deer and elk.
OUR QUALIFICATIONS:
We are licensed by the Oregon State Marine Board, fully insured, members of
Oregon Guides & Packers, authorized outfitters for wilderness Rogue River (Permit #12) through our
special-use permit with the Medford Bureau of Land Management. We also operate under special-use
permits from Prineville BLM (John Day, Deschutes, Crooked rivers), Vale BLM (Owyhee River),
Willamette National Forest (McKenzie River), Umpqua National Forest (North Umpqua River), Umatilla
National Forest (Grande Ronde River).
In addition, we are the authorized outfitter for the University of Oregon's outdoor recreation program. Wild Water Adventures follows the policy of the United States Dept. of Agriculture Forest Service that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, or disability, familial status, or political affiliation. Persons believing they have been discriminated against in any Forest Service related activity should write to: Chief, Forest Service, USDA, PO Box 96090, Washington DC 20090-6090.