Time to start thinking about a Fall Steelhead trip?

Sept/Oct/Nov is the most popular time to go.

I like October for a safe month.


The Trinity, Klamath, Rogue, Umpqua, Deschutes, and

Grande Ronde are some of the best rivers.


If you need any help planning a trip let me know.


Through Flywater Travel I booked about 20 anglers into guided Fall Steelhead trips to Morrison's Lodge on the Rogue River and

Grande Ronde River float trips too.



Mostly I just use a floating line with a long mono tapered leader and an unweighted classic dark winged Steelhead fly.

I love wading these rivers and I love fly casting and I love to feel the grab.

I use an old click-n-pawl or ratchet reel so I get to hear the music when the fish takes off.

Going to the Deschutes in a couple of weeks. Guided 4 days lower river. Will be my first time there. Should be epic!

Fishing extremely early and late in the day is real important in July, August and September.

Early and late most swing a dark fly on a floating line.

Use a tapered leader the length of your rod.

8# Maxima UltraGreen is a good size tippet.

Size #6 barbless dark winged fly with some flash is popular on the Deshutes.

In the early Fall you are "chasing the shade"......looking for a riffle with no sun on it.

After the sun hits the water you can use a sink-tip or indicator rig.

Unless you are a high school athlete I would take a break noon till about 3:00 pm?



I made that float about 35 years ago? Deschutes is one of the top 10 Steelhead rivers in the USA.