JOHN DAY BASS
OVERVIEW
The John Day River is the longest free-flowing undammed river west of the continental divide. This river is wild and remote, boasting the longest stretch of designated Wild & Scenic River in the nation. Over 150 miles of the John Day River are roadless and there are only a handful of places to launch boats.
Located about 30 miles due east of the Deschutes River, the John Day River flows north through a desert canyon to its confluence with the Columbia River. The land along the river is majority owned by large private wheat and cattle ranches, most of which are measured in the tens of thousands of acres. There are no towns or houses or roads along the river for mile after mile after mile. Motorized boats are not allowed, nor is there any way to access the river with any sort of vehicle, including aircraft. The only way to see vast stretches of the John Day is to float the river and this float is about as remote as you can get in North America.
BASS, BASS, BASS
$ 625.00 per day for 1 or 2 anglers
From May through August (water flows permitting) we run one-day float trips fishing for smallmouth bass on the John Day. The action is fast and furious on most days and the bass are eager to eat our bugs both sub-surface and right on top... POPPIN'!! This is a trip for all ages and all experience levels. We put two anglers in each boat, one in the front and one in the back, and float the river pounding the banks and searching the deep holes for monster bass. You will rack up numbers - an 80 fish day per person is not out of the question on the John Day, but remember to take your eye off the fly once in a while to enjoy the stunning desert canyon through which you will be floating.
Our day bass float trips will originate at our fly shop in Maupin. We meet at 7:00 AM in order to allow for the one-hour drive to the put-in. You can leave your vehicle in the parking lot in Maupin. The float is about ten miles in length, so this is a full-day of fishing. You will launch the boat around 8:00 AM and will float until about 4:30 or 5:00 PM. Your guide will get you back to Maupin around 6:30 or 7:00 PM. Your guide will have a nice lunch for you as well as plenty of cold water to keep you hydrated in the desert environment.
If you have a son, daughter, spouse, friend, mother, or father who is a budding enthusiast in fly fishing or curious to try the sport, this is a great introduction to fly fishing with lots of gratification from the eager bass!
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