Gift a Guided Fly Fishing Trip

Happy Holidays! Add to the fun this holiday season by planning out some future fishing trips or buying a guided fly fishing trip as a gift (or maybe for yourself) that you can look forward to this coming spring.

Or take a trip in the next few weeks! The Lower Deschutes is still fishing well, and with this very mild December weather pattern, we are looking at very comfortable days on the river. Shoot me an email or text for last-minute availability. Hurry, though, as the Lower Deschutes closes on January 1st.

Make Gift Giving Easy this Year

Gift shopping for a devout fly angler can be a tough job if they happen to have collected a fair amount of gear. There are only so many rods, reels, tools, and hats that can be added to the collection before it becomes altogether too much gear to bring on the river, and the vest is weighed down by the pounds of boxes, leader straighteners, nets, wading staffs, and rod holders. There lies the issue with buying gifts for the experienced angler, one who appears to have everything. Instead, they may now seek experiences over the addition of another fly fishing effect.

A beginner angler is another story, as they may have the basics, and any tool or fishing-related item will be a great addition to their kit. The most important aspect of the gift should be its immediate effect on the angler's time on the water. Will it help make their experience more fun or get them on the water more efficiently? A guided trip is a great way to peel back some of the mystery of fly fishing for new or intermediate anglers. We do our best to show the best methods for productive days on the water and are happy to focus on fundamental growth in casting, presentation, and fish fighting.

Gift a Shared Experience

Maybe your spouse, friend, son, daughter, or grandparent always wanted to give fly fishing a shot; this is your chance to make it happen. A guided trip is a great way to introduce people to the sport without the buyer's remorse of dusty fly rods and waders staring at you every time you visit the garage. Additionally, you can enjoy a fun day on the river with someone you care about without the stress of pseudo-guiding your buddy with loaner gear and the spare pair of leaky waders.

As a guide, we are well prepared for numerous questions and equipped to teach fledgling anglers the basics that will enable them to feel confident in their fishing the day after the trip and further down the road.

Guided trips bring a fun, stress-free environment that allows me to take on the responsibility of preparing for the trip. Flies, waders, boots, rods, and reels are all included or added on to the trip to help make your life easier. Have you ever tried to teach a significant other, friend, or sibling how to ski? That experience will make you believe in the benefits of ski lessons for both of you, and the same goes for fly fishing.

By purchasing a trip for someone, you give them a golden opportunity to learn more about the hobby that you love and give them a chance to catch the fishing bug that captured you since that first fish on a dry or the numerous days spent chasing chrome steelhead on the coast. Everyone finds their way to fly fishing differently, but more than anything, it brings us closer to ourselves and gives us a day outdoors with the people we enjoy, filled with good conversation and laughs, all while standing knee deep in a river.

Take A Seasoned Angler on the River

Instead of searching for another piece of gear that hangs off the pack, gift the angler in your life a special day on the water that they won't forget. As I've gone deeper into my guiding career, one prevailing sentiment is the desire for anglers to share their passion with others. Some of the best times on the river are experiencing a grandparent or parent watching their kid grow throughout the day and truly enjoying the full experience of fly fishing.

Many experienced anglers love the idea of spending a day on the water with a friend or family member, even if fishing isn't their passion, because more than anything, it is a great excuse to disconnect from the stress of everyday life and see a beautiful piece of nature.

Call the shop or shoot me a text to figure out what trip would be the best suited to meet your needs and spend some quality time with a friend, parent, or sibling on a Central Oregon river or lake.

Our Guided Trips

1. The Lower Deschutes

   The Lower Deschutes is our premier steelhead and trout fishery in Central Oregon, offering consistent fishing opportunities throughout most of the year. Take a float down a beautiful desert canyon in search of hard-fighting redsides. Check out our steelhead trip options as well if you are interested in chasing chrome.

   

2. McKenzie River

   This gorgeous west side stream runs crystal clear and cold all season, making it a fantastic spring through fall trip option for beginners and experts alike. Dry droppers are my favorite here, and action is usually good to great for most of the year. Experts can work on technical casting and presentation, while beginners can get plenty of feedback on learning the presentation and fish-fighting basics.

   

3. Crooked River

   The Crooked River is a favorite spot for half-day excursions in a beautiful canyon east of Bend. The stream holds abundant fish populations and great hatches of mayflies and caddis. This is a great learning ground for starting your fly fishing hobby and nailing the basics. Dry flies, streamers, and nymphs all have a place on the Crooked. The water is accessible and is fished exclusively by wading.

   

4. Fall River

   This little spring creek is part of the Upper Deschutes watershed and represents a great half-day option for those staying in Sunriver or Bend. A short drive from town takes you to an idyllic creek that offers intimate fishing for picky fish. They are not necessarily dumb fish just because they are stocked, as they quickly acclimate to their environment and pick up the slightest errors in presentation. This is a great place for experts to test their presentation skills and beginners to wet a fly for the first time.

   

5. Lakes and Small Streams

   There are numerous other streams and lakes to explore in Central Oregon, from bass-filled reservoirs to winding meadow streams. Give me a text or email to find the best option for your fly fishing goals, and we can make it happen.

   

Book a Guided Trip for an Unforgettable Christmas Gift

When booking a trip, you don't have to know everything off the bat, like where you want to fish or the exact date. We can finalize those details later when the gift is received. Or you can set the dates and place if you know when and where you want to fish.

Salmonfly dates on the Lower Deschutes are starting to go as people plan fishing trips for the coming spring. If you want to get in on the action, I suggest booking a trip over the next few months for choice dates. The last two weeks of May to the first week of June is one of the few times we get to throw big dries all day, and it is one of my favorite times of year.

Spend some time with your favorite fishing partner on the river this year. Shoot me an email or talk to the shop to get your trip on the books. Happy Holidays!