Got a little schmoozing to do for some California clients. I don't want to be blamed for them not catching. THEY WANT TO CATCH STEELHEAD IN SEPTEMBER. Anybody know of a good lower Deschutes guide? Thanks...

Rip-lipper: When I used to live in OR I drifted the lower Deschutes for steelies many times. Still my all-time favorite spot. Sept is great time as many of the rafters are off of the river and the many deer/chukar hunters don't start until OCT. You really need two days for the trip if you get drift boat guides. I have done the lower drift in one day from its shortest point, but that doesn't allow enough fishing time. As for guides...sorry don't know any but call the "Oasis" in Maupin, OR. The Oasis is HQ for upper & lower river guides, shuttles & river info. It is a small hotel, burgers, beer & fishing tackle stop. The only one in that part of the river. It is about 45 miles from mouth of the river & you have to go very near there for road connections to lower river drift launch points. If you want to access river by jet sled, you need to instead hook up with a guide out of the Dalles, OR. They run you upstream to fishing locations. PS: fishing is NOT allowed from any boats of any kind, only from the bank. Boats can be used for getting there only & it is patroled very heavily! One of the great thing about this river, it is ALWAYS in perfect shape. No worries about a special trip getting washed out by high, muddy waters.

Those guides get really booked solid for that time frame. One guide you might try is Bob Worley (Clackamas Based). He is one of the qualified Deschutes river runners, which is gonna be required in the low water in Sept. There is also River Bend Outfitters, Homers sporting goods, Jack Smith, Youngs guide service in the Dalles..September is also good at the mouth with those Idaho B run fish and the crowds start to drop as you get further into the month.

Thanks a million guys, should be able to rip lips with one of these guys.

rl,
there's a fly fishing shop in Pendleton. I'm not at home in NW right now, & don't have their website, but a search can find it. They have several guides, one of which is a knowledgeable young man named Rod who just so happens to be on staff at the Deschutes Park (at the mouth). You might look 'em up!

[ 08-03-2001: Message edited by: Vinny ]