Smallmouth bass fishing trips on the John Day River

The Trip

Your trip can be reserved for three, four or five days. Boat configuration is two guests and a guide per boat maximum. However two adults and a child can fish in the same boat. Catches of 30-50 smallmouth bass per day are common depending on your casting skills. The record is 139 fish by 1 PM set by J.W. Morton, from Louisiana.

One to one and a half pound fish are average size fish, but as you can see five to six pound fish are available.We will send you a list of proven lures, flies, spinner baits, jigs, plastics, and plugs. Fly fisherman have had very good results, so don't forget your fly rods. Catch and release practices are emphasized to continue a high population of fish.

Transportation

Your John Day River wilderness adventure begins when we meet you at the Redmond/Bend, Oregon airport baggage area. We will then drive to the launch site. It's a beautiful drive, so you may want your camera available. We will make a stop to pick up fishing licenses (we can purchase them ahead of your arrival to insure more time on the river), alcoholic beverages, if desired, and last minute personal items.

The Boats

Though driftboats are available, rafts and catarafts are the boats of choice due to their many advantages. Rafts offer you more floor space, increased stability, and added freedom of movement. Our unique frames have comfortable bass seats in the front and rear of the boat. This places you high off the water for easier and more precise casting.Greater vision of the water helps you to locate those lunkers. The rotating bass seats allow you to pivot 360 degrees so that you may easily fish either side of the boat and still be very comfortable.

Accommodations

We make every effort to make your outdoor experience in the Central Oregon wilderness a comfortable one. All camping gear is provided except for sleeping bags. Four man tents are used, two guests per tent so that you will have plenty of room.You will sleep like a baby on our durable self-inflating mattresses. Cots are also available. Camp chairs are provided for those discussions about the beautiful scenery, wildlife observed, fish caught, and of course the big one that got away. Solar showers are provided for a relaxing warm shower at the end of the day. All camp gear is set up and taken down for you by our cheerful crew.For your privacy and comfort we provide a custom tent for hot showers and the port-a-potti.

Meals

Food is prepared by our camp cook while you hike or just sit and enjoy the scenery. Bacon-wrapped filets, Dutch-oven lasagna, BBQ country style ribs, raspberry hazelnut meringue will give you the energy to fight the many bass you will be catching each day. You will be served three meals a day plus snacks. Diets that are restrictive can be accommodated on request.

Our guides are very knowledgeable, with over 25 years of boating and fishing experience. Their boating skills will insure your safety and their fishing skills will take you to the secret spots so you can catch the big ones! Our guides are CPR/Medic 1 trained and certified for your safety.

Redmond Municipal Airport is served by four air carriers; Allegiant Air, Delta Airlines, Horizon Air, United and United Express with daily direct flights to Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and Seattle and flights two days a week to Las Vegas.  Delta, United and United Express flights are operated by SkyWest Airlines.