Deschutes River

Warm Springs to Trout Creek drift

Location:

The Deschutes River is central Oregon's main waterway, and a major tributary of the Columbia. The lower Deschutes is a 100-mile stretch that runs from the Pelton Dam to the Columbia.

The drift from the Warm Springs boat ramp to the Trout Creek boat ramp and campground runs 10 miles, and includes class II-III whitewater. A pontoon or drift boat is a requirement, and prior experience rowing rivers is strongly recommended.

Directions:

Follow I-5 N to OR-214 S/Hillsboro-Silverton Hwy NE in Woodburn (11 miles). Take exit 271 and follow OR-211N to US-26 E/Pioneer Blvd in Sandy (47 miles). Turn right onto US-26 E and continue for 79 miles. The Warm Springs Boat Ramp entrance (river mile 97.8) will be on the right.

The drive from the Warm Springs Boat ramp to the Trout Creek Boat ramp is ~20 miles and takes about 30 minutes.

Logistics:

Permits, Fees, and Costs:

A Lower Deschutes River Boater Pass is required year-round for this stretch of the river, with a $6 reservation fee plus a $5/day use fee.
A boating permit from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs is required to fish the tribal lands on the west bank, which start approximately 3 miles from the put-in. Currently $5/day.
A shuttle can be arranged through Linda's River Shuttles, or Deschutes River Adventures. Expect to pay about $75.

Deschutes River RV Park and Campground

Many club members stay at the Deschutes River RV Park and Fly shop , which is only a short drive to the Warm Springs ramp. It offers cabins, full and partial RV hook-ups, and tenting sites. The river is a short walk across the road for local fishing.

Trout Creek Campground

This BLM campsite has 21 campsites and 3 group-use campsites, some of which are pull-through. There is no potable water, and the sites are first-come-first-served. Expect the campground to be full on weekends. The drive to the campground includes a mile-long stretch of 9% down grade followed by a drive through a narrow tunnel, and may not be appropriate for some RVs/trailers.

There is excellent stream-side fishing at the campground/boat launch.

Fishing:

The Deschutes River is renowned for its wild "redside" rainbow trout and aggressive summer steelhead. It is fly-only, catch and release, and regulations require wading when fishing (there is an exception for handicapped persons but this requires a permit). Trout fishing is year-round, but steelhead fishing is primarily in the fall.

Techniques for Trout--The Salmonfly Hatch

We try to time our spring trip to the Salmonfly hatch for exciting dry fly action. The hatch starts in mid-April and peaks in late April through May. Recommended patterns include the Chubby Chernobyl, Clark's Stone, and Norm Woods. Target stream edges, especially near/under trees and bushes. If the fish aren't interested, try a Salmonfly nymph with a Euro rig or indicator. Failing that, try below.

Techniques for Trout: Euronymphing and swinging

Euro is the technique with the most consistant success on this river. The best patterns include perdigon's, small stonefly nymphs, and small pheasant tail patterns.

Swinging flies with a sink-tip line can be a productive fishing method. Good patterns include Partridge in Orange, soft hackle Pheasant Tail, and larger patterns such as wooly buggers and Muddler Minnows.

Steelhead Fishing

The Deschutes is famous for its fall fishing for summer steelhead. Full-sized 6-7 weight spey rods with scandi lines are typically used, swinging unweighted flies such as a Green Butt Skunk and Egg-sucking Leech.

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