Oregon Steelhead Fishing

The diversity and high numbers of steelhead in Oregon make it fishing paradise. There are huge ones in the coastal rivers. In central and eastern Oregon they are well described as feisty. On the western slope Cascade rivers they can be tricksters. And in southern Oregon, on the Rogue river and others, they come in all shapes and sizes, including the treasured "half pounders". And, there are both wild and hatchery steelhead that populate Oregon rivers from north to south and east to west.

Steelhead are unique fish. They are essentially trout that are born and "raised" for a year or two in a river and then travel to the sea for varying periods to "fatten up". The bigger steelhead are those that typically spend more time in the ocean (generally one to three years on their first cycle into the sea) and the smaller ones, like the "half-pounders" spend less than a year. Steelhead return to their river of birth to spawn. Unlike salmon, they do not die after spawning. Many steelhead head back out to sea a second time and then return again to the river.

It is on the river journeys that steelhead are prime for fishing. What makes Oregon fly fishing so unique is that steelhead return to the various rivers essentially throughout the year. Depending on where you are in the state, you can catch them virtually 365 days a year!

So, what is so special about the "half-pounders"? First, they generally weigh more than a half-pound. A second, apparently since they spend less time in the ocean than their counterparts, sometime after traveling back up river to their birth region they reclaim their trout heritage! This means that they feed like trout rather than salmon. They are agressive and fast surface feeders. The result is great fly fishing. And, once landed and prepared, they are delicious eating.

Wilderness Fishing offers world-class steelhead (and salmon and trout) fishing on Oregon's most spectacular rivers. Whether a one day trip on the Sandy river, Umpqua river or Chetco river, a one to four-day drift and wade trip on the high desert Deschutes river, or a one to four-day trip on the blue ribbon Rogue river, the fishing for steelhead is unsurpassed.

Perhaps our most sought after drift boat fishing adventure, the creme-de-la-creme, is our three and four-day Rogue river fishing trip. Prime for steelhead from late August through November, this wilderness drift features scenery and solitude that is among the best in the world, whitewater that will get your adrenaline going, and amazing wilderness lodges that are tucked quietly into the forest above the river. This means that you get world class fishing by day and warm beds by night, all in the heart of pure wilderness.

On all of our trips we provide all gear. Furthermore, our trips are guided by folks who are regarded as top in the industry by fellow Oregon fishing guides. Folks like Terry O'Connors, who for nearly forty years has outfitted first-rate fishing trips on rivers throughout Southern Oregon. In fact, Terry is the most experienced full time river guide on the Rogue river today. And, he still has a hearty laugh and down-to-earth friendly style that will leave you wanting to sign up for your next trip before you get off his drift boat on the trip you are already on.