Where We Fish

Throughout the year, Renton River Adventures focuses on some of the best rivers, hatches, and runs in Oregon and in Southeast Alaska. This includes both summer and winter steelhead as well as trout. Whether it be swinging flies in the summer for steelhead, casting under trees for a trout rising to salmonflies, or floating a section of the North Umpqua, trips are available nearly year round. With the exception of Prince of Wales, venues on the North Umpqua and Deschutes offer both single day trips and multiple day camp trips.

 

Winter

Winter steelhead season in the Umpqua Basin runs from the middle of December through the beginning of April. Our efforts are focused primarily between the beginning of January and into the last week of March. Both swinging and drifting can be done depending on which section of river anglers fish. Water levels are the strongest determining factor in the winter with storms rolling through the Pacific Northwest regularly. Both single day trips and lodged options are available.

Spring

Quickly following winter on the Umpqua, the southeast Alaska steelhead season begins in earnest. The spring Alaska season is short, running from the beginning of April to the first week of May. Like winter steelhead in Oregon, these fish return from the ocean sexually mature and can be quick to spawn. Short river and creek systems characterize the Prince of Wales Island, making for a very unique coastal fishing experience. Returning from Alaska, by mid May, it’s Deschutes salmonfly season.

While seasonal conditions can have an impact on the exact timing of the hatch, May into early June is when we focus our efforts for the stoneflies. Hatches of various species of mayflies and caddis also occur during the spring trout season on the Deschutes, creating a great opportunity to enjoy dry fly action. Trout trips are available through the entire spring and summer.

Summer

Deschutes caddis season is popular among many anglers in Oregon. Following the stoneflies and often associated with the warmer days of summer, caddis make for a common Deschutes trout food-source. Smaller flies, sipping trout, and hot summer days. Caddis can blizzard in large groups behind trees and along bank lines in the afternoons, feeding the trout of the lower Deschutes. By mid June, summer steelhead have become present in many Oregon waterways, including the North Umpqua. Our guided efforts focus on mid June through August on the Umpqua, offering both single-day trips and multi-day camp trips. This is the time of the year to fish skaters to summer steelhead.

By the end of August, trips are available on the Lower Deschutes river targeting steelhead. Early in the our Deschutes steelhead season, anglers will fish from Macks Canyon to the mouth of the Deschutes near The Dalles, Oregon. Summer multi-day camp trips through the lower Deschutes canyon are highly suggested and can give you a great shot at hooking a summer steelhead.

Fall

In the fall, Renton River Adventures is located completely on the Lower Deschutes. Efforts through the remainder of the fall season are on Deschutes camp trips with guided days focusing on swinging flies. By the end of September, steelhead are dispersed through the entire Deschutes, including the Trout Creek to Maupin section. By October, Deschutes trout begin to feed on fall hatches including the October Caddis. While not as popular as other points of the year and often shadowed by the steelhead season, the fall trout season on the Deschutes can be awesome with combinations of mayflies, various nymphs, and October caddis. Some of the biggest trout of the season are caught in the fall.