Fishing and Fly Fishing in Bend and Central Oregon

Rated by Fly-Fisherman Magazine as one of the Top 10 Fly-Fishing towns in the United States, Bend is truly a fishing paradise. In addition to year-round fishing for trout and steelhead, Bend is surrounded by nationally renowned rivers, streams and lakes that provide anglers with a mind-boggling abundance and variety of world class fishing opportunities.

If flowing water gets your heart pumping, Bend Oregon is the place for you! With four primary river systems and dozens of smaller creeks and streams, Bend offers river anglers a lifetime of fishing adventures.

The Deschutes River is the primary waterway in Central Oregon. Originating from its spring-fed headwaters in the Cascade Mountains west of Bend and ending its northward journey at the Columbia River, the Deschutes River offers an astonishing 252 miles of fishable waters. The Deschutes River offers everything from small stream fishing for Oregon’s native Redside Rainbow Trout to epic multi-day float trips for trophy trout and Pacific Steelhead.

While the Deschutes River is Bend’s most renowned river, the Metolius River is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful and challenging fishing destinations in the West. The crystal clear water of the Metolius River bubbles up from springs deep within Earth and provides perfect habitat for trophy Redside Rainbow Trout and the coveted trophy Bull Trout that call the Metolius home.

If a cozy spring creek is more your speed, the Fall River should be your destination. Offering year-round angling opportunities, the Fall River will reward the patient angler with beautiful trout and equally as beautiful scenery.

If you’re looking for a pure tailwater fishing experience, the Crooked River cuts a deep gorge into the surrounding countryside and provides exciting tailwater fishing for native Redside Rainbow Trout.

And when you’ve had enough of Bend’s world class rivers, you’ll find a lifetime of gold medal fishing opportunities in the dozens of pristine lakes and reservoirs that surround Bend.

A fly-fishing casting park opened in Bend at the Old Mill District in Fall 2008. The Orvis Old Mill Casting Course is the first 18-station fly-casting course in the nation situated along the Deschutes River and several ponds in the Old Mill District. The course challenges fishermen to accurately land a fly under real-life conditions similar to what you would find around Central Oregon fishing hot spots. For example, the Wickiup Station is designed after the renowned Wickiup Reservoir. The casting park is FREE and open to the public.

Further Reading:

2010 May/June Northwest Fly Fishing Journal Article: Urban Angler - Trout Mecca where Mountains Meet Desert by John Shewey.

2011 January Continental Airlines Article: The Reel Deal - Central Oregon's Famed Deschutes River Hooks Yet Another Angler by Andrew Eitelbach

Gary Lewis is a local writer and television personality focusing specifically on fishing and hunting in the region. Click here to see what his latest articles and tv show are highlighting this month.

With such an abundance and variety of fishing experiences awaiting you in Bend Oregon, we highly recommend contacting one of the fly shops and guide services listed below.

Orvis
Phone: 541.312.8200
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The Patient Angler
Phone: 541.389.6208
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River Borne Outfitters
Phone: 541.647.2584
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Central Oregon Stillwater Outfitters
Phone: 541.598.7322
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