Join Deschutes Angler for an outstanding 4 day 3 night camp trip down the John Day River swing flies for the last 100% wild run of steelhead east of the cascades.
Our John Day River steelhead camp trips are the best way to experience all that this river has to offer the angler. The wild steelhead move out of the Columbia and into the John Day system as soon as in stream flows allow - which is usually around the end of October. We use floating lines and surface or near surface flies to hook these steelhead throughout late October and way into November. By late November and early December, the water temps have usually dropped a bit and we then switch to swinging flies on sink tips for most of the day.
Due to the remote nature of the John Day, the minimum length of an overnight camp trip is 3 nights and 4 days. In that length of time we will cover roughly 45 miles of river, stopping at several runs during the course of each day to wade and fish. Anglers who have fished the Deschutes for steelhead will be pleasantly surprised by the slower flows of the John Day River. The swings are long and slow and the wading is a piece of cake.
Our John Day River Camps are top notch. The centerpiece of our camp layout is a 15 foot by 18 foot canvas wall tent which is heated and set up with a dining room table to accommodate 12 comfortably. Since the days are short in November and December, it is nice to row into camp at dark and have a warm place to enjoy some appetizers and an après fishing beverage. The camp kitchen is at one end of the tent and a heater inside will keep everyone toasty until dinner is served. Since it gets dark around 5PM in the winter, most groups will enjoy the camaraderie of a card game or board game after dessert has been served.
Every two anglers will have a private sleeping tent set up a stone's throw from the main tent. All sleeping tents are over 6 feet tall and comfortably sleep two people on extra long extra wide cots with sleeping pads. A table in-between the beds will have a lantern on it, which comes in handy during the wee hours. Since it can get below freezing at night, anglers will leave their wet waders and wading boots in the main party tent so they are warm in the morning.
Our camp hosts on the John Day River are second to none when it comes to Dutch oven cooking. Anglers will enjoy hot baked breads and biscuits, Roasts, Enchiladas, baked chicken, and cobbler style desserts. Did someone say biscuits and gravy for breakfast? Let it suffice to say that you will not go hungry on our overnight camp floats on the John Day.
All John Day River guided trips are operated under our guide service, John Hazel & Company, Inc. holding a special use permit through the Bureau of Land Management. Permit #054-0-440. Deschutes Angler Fly Shop acts as the booking agent for John Hazel & Company, Inc.
Join Deschutes Angler for an outstanding 4 day 3 night camp trip down the John Day River swing flies for the last 100% wild run of steelhead east of the cascades.
