Fly Fishing Central & Southeastern Oregon. Harry Teel

eastern part of the state. Float tubers need breathable chest-high waders and warm clothes. Mountain waters are cold.

      A healthy rainbow from the Middle Deschutes. Photo by Eric Dunne.

      A beautiful wild Metolius River rainbow trout. Photo by John Judy.

       Guides

      If you are new to the sport, or to Oregon, a day outing with a qualified guide will help you learn the ropes. Check with the fly shops in the Resources section of this guidebook for waters that permit guided fly fishing.

       Private Fly Fishing Waters

      Paying for a day or two at a private water can be rewarding. If you are a fly fishing novice, private waters offer a great way to hone your skills. The private waters listed toward the back of this guidebook can offer excellent fishing in remote or isolated locations. They are a good value and are worth your consideration.

       Trash

      Leaving an area cleaner than you found it is the responsibility of all fly fishers.

       Ratings

      Each river, stream, lake, and reservoir in the main section of this guide has been rated on a scale from 1 to 10. A 10 water is one that offers the best possible fly fishing experience Oregon has to offer. A 1 would be fishable but not much else.

      These ratings are based on my experiences of fly fishing these waters over a number of years. Thus, my rating may not necessarily coincide with the experience you have on your particular day of fly fishing, or even your combined experience. These ratings are best used to get a general idea of a particular fly fishing destination and as a means of comparing our opinions. But enough of the obvious stuff. Here’s hoping you hook that fish you’ve always dreamed of on one of the waters in this guide.

       Common Oregon Game Fish

       Illustrations by Joseph R. Tomelleri.

       Rainbow Trout

       Brown Trout

       Brook Trout

       Lake Trout

       ‘Deschutes Redside’ Rainbow Trout

       Bull Trout

       Lahontan Cutthroat Trout

       Mountain Whitefish

       Steelhead Trout

       Landlocked Atlantic Salmon

       Largemouth Bass

       Smallmouth Bass

       Black Crappie

       White Crappie

       Kokanee Salmon (spawning male)

       Chinook Salmon

       Flies to Use in Oregon

       Adams Parachute

       Adams

       Blue Winged Olive

       Parachute Light Cahill

       Comparadun

       Pale Morning Dun

       Elk Hair Caddis

       Slow Water Caddis

       X Caddis

       Royal Wulff

       Renegade

       Stimulator

       Sofa Pillow