The John Day River is the longest free-flowing undammed river west of the continental divide. This river is wild and remote, boasting the longest stretch of designated Wild & Scenic river in the nation. The John Day hosts the healthiest run of wild steelhead in the entire Columbia Basin.
Winter camping trips, no matter how luxurious the accomodations, are not everyone's cup of tea. For that reason, we offer day steelhead trips on the John Day River from late October through January (water flows permitting). Day floats are a wonderful way for anglers to enjoy both the remote wilderness of the john Day River and the comfort of the accomodations in our small town of Maupin. A day long steelhead float on the John Day river covers roughly ten miles of river, offering steelhead anglers many fine runs through which to swing their flies. The boat launch for day trips is a little over one hour driving time from our headquarters in Maupin, so we leave town early enough to see the sun rise over the John Day and we fish until the sun has set.
A day float trip will include transportation from Maupin, hot coffee, hot soup, a hearty lunch, beverages, and the guidance of an experienced professional steelhead guide.
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.
The John Day River is the longest free-flowing undammed river west of the continental divide. This river is wild and remote, boasting the longest stretch of designated Wild & Scenic river in the nation. The John Day hosts the healthiest run of wild steelhead in the entire Columbia Basin. 
