Coastal Winter Steelhead Spey Fishing
Hunt for ocean fresh winter steelhead with local knowledge and confidence. Our daily float trips and full service lodge offer hearty anglers a steelheading fix January through April.
COASTAL WINTER STEELHEAD Spey Fishing
January through April we fly fish for winter steelhead on a handful of rivers along the North Oregon coast. Hearty anglers will marvel at the scenery and quality wild fish. Here we offer daily float trips with a sole focus on spey casting and swinging flies. Full service packages with lodge style meals and accommodations can be arranged.
FISHING PROGRAM
Your guide will meet you at your accommodations early in the morning. Plan on following your guide using your own vehicle to assist with shuttles, so have some gas in the tank. After a reasonably short drive your guide will launch the boat and you will soon be wading and fishing.
To fish for winter steelhead on the Oregon coastal rivers we swing flies with spey rods in the 12 to 14 foot range (7 - 9 wt), and cast mostly intruder, leech, or spey style flies with skagit heads and skink tips. We use self bailing rafts to leave the beaten path and access some very cool and productive swing water. Nearly all fishing is done on foot while wading.
The coastal rivers contain a variety of seductive swing water that can be easy or difficult to wade. A wading staff is highly recommended and even essential for some anglers. One of our goals each day is to have our guests wading comfortably within their means.
Winter steelhead are moving targets so we will work hard to keep your fly in the holding lies and traveling lanes. We fish a combination of classic steelhead water and "one man spots". Lunch is a brief streamside affair served by your guide, typically a hot and hearty soup or sandwich. After lunch we fish hard again until it gets dark or we call it a day. Spey casting instruction is always available and part of our service.
Accommodations & Meals
There are a variety of lodging options in Tillamook and the surrounding area to suit any budget. We are happy to assist with finding the best option.
Alternatively, for anglers seeking the perfect compliment to our fishing program we offer full service packages with lodge style accommodations and meals in Oceanside, just seven miles Southwest of Tillamook. These packages are available in lengths of three to six nights.
Arrive the evening before your first fishing day, get settled in, and enjoy dinner served by your hosts. The house sleeps six guests in double occupancy rooms. Amenities include a wet bar and hot tub.
Meals are served by your hosts from dinner the evening of your arrival through breakfast the morning of your departure, with a heavy emphasis on fresh seafood and other locally sourced ingredients. We always enjoy the opportunity to share our passion for food with our guests in a setting that overlooks the Pacific Ocean.
Rates & Details
2019 RATES
Day Trip: $700 (1 or 2 anglers)
Full Service Packages: Call for pricing
Included: Guided fishing (one guide and boat per two anglers), lunch, water, spey rod setups, flies and fishing tackle.
Full service packages include: Lodging in double occupancy rooms and meals (dinner the evening prior to fishing through breakfast the morning after your last fishing day).
Not Included: Transportation to and from Tillamook, alcohol, staff / guide gratuities.
You will need to have: Fishing license, waders and wading boots (studded felt sole recommended), rain jacket, and warm clothing. We can assist you with obtaining most of these items.
Capacity
1 to 6 anglers
Season
January through April
Fishing License
You will need a valid Oregon angling license and steelhead tag. Daily combo license are available and include the steelhead tag (available online at https://or.outdoorcentral.us/or/license).
Location & Travel
Tillamook, Oregon serves as a hub from which we fish a number of rivers within an hour drive.
Guests arriving by plane typically fly into Portland, rent a car, and drive approx. 1.5 hours to Tillamook.
Map & Driving Directions
Tillamook from Portland Intl Airport
Nearest Accommodations
There are a variety of lodging options in TIllamook and the surrounding area to suit any budget, from small motels to full service lodge style accommodations.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Arrival: Fly in to PDX, rent a car, and drive to Tillamook. Check in after 3:00 pm. Dinner is served around 7:00 the evening of your arrival.
Fishing Days: 3 - 5 Full fishing days, returning afterwards to a comfortable beach house and dinner.
Departure: Breakfast is served the morning of your departure at 8:00 am. Check out by 11:00 am. Drive back to PDX.
2017 is approaching and I am excited to begin my 12th season of guiding winter steelhead on the coast.
When it wasn't pouring with nuclear wind we enjoyed fishing steelhead green water under cloudy damp skies - perfect steelheading conditions.
One thing I teach people to do on a regular basis is how to get the line to land on the water straight - not in a pile that is. You will catch more fish if your line lands straight.
It's been a stormy winter! We've been having fun in the rain though and finding a few fish so that it all makes a little sense ;)
You know its raining when that wet bag of a hood just has to come off your head... its worse than being soaked. We are wading deep into winter steelhead season. The rivers are high. Steelhead are streaking comets.
Designed with winter steelheading in mind I couldn't dream of a better shell. The pockets don't get in the way when you cast or row, and there is more than enough room for flies, tip wallet, and leader... all a winter steelheader needs.
The 2017 winter steelhead season is in the books. And a memorable season it was, full of heavy weather, good fishing, and good times.