Welcome to PhD Fly Fishing Blog

My name is Michael Dooley, I am a writer and fly fishing guide in Central Oregon. Here on this site, you will find information ranging from guided trip information, stories from the field, and gear reviews. I am based in Bend, Oregon, and guide on various local rivers including the Crooked River, Deschutes River, Fall River, and McKenzie River. I work with the Fly Fishers Place in Sisters, Oregon.

Mouse eating rainbow from Alaska

Before locating to Bend I went to school and worked in Bozeman, attending Montana State University. Here I obtained a Bachelors of English Writing while also working for a fly shop, Fins and Feathers, in Four Corners, MT. I developed a strong passion for educating and helping others in their fly fishing life. This is what spurred me to become a guide and continue helping people pursue wild trout in gorgeous places. Central Oregon proves itself to be a top-notch fly fishing destination with a wide variety of places to cast a fly. From urban fishing in the Old Mill District of Bend to wondering the remote high mountain lakes of the Cascades there is no shortage of epic fishing to encounter. By far, the most famous river is the mighty Deschutes which starts as a small spring-fed stream in the Deschutes National Forest that eventually dumps into the Columbia more than 100 miles North. There's something for everyone in Central Oregon and I intend to cover a variety of waters through these blog posts.

Long before I moved to Bozeman, MT, and fished the legendary Madison, Gallatin, and Missouri I started my fly fishing journey in the mountains of North Idaho pursuing native cutthroat trout on dry flies. Fly fishing is ingrained in my life and has steered decisions for my education and profession. Montana State was the clear choice, not because of its writing program, but rather the accessibility of the outdoors and the endless exploration. Thankfully, I was able to get a degree but I still am always looking for that next adventure. I hope you enjoy these blogs and find them useful. Tight lines.