John Day River

Spring has arrived on the John Day River and with it your chance to catch 30-50 smallmouths’ per day!!! Don’t miss out on the chance to experience one of Trek’s very best Bass destinations.

The Trip: Are you looking for a unique fishing experience? Most fishing trips offer you great fishing, the John Day River offers this and much more. In the 25 years since Smallmouth Bass were introduced to the John Day River, they have literally taken over 106 miles of the river. Many days will find you catching and releasing 50+ bass per day. These range from 3/4 to well over six pounds. The John Day River, because of its remoteness, offers something other fishing trips don’t; tranquility. This is a perfect trip for the entire family. Depending on your choice you will be fishing three to five days. Your John Day River Wilderness Adventure begins when an Arrowhead River Adventure agent meets you at the Redmond/Bend, Oregon Airport. If you arrive late in the afternoon you will overnight in either Redmond or Prineville. For morning arrivals, you will head out to the launch site with a quick stop to pick up fishing licenses, alcoholic beverages, if desired, and last minute personal items. It’s a beautiful drive, so have your camera handy. You and your guide will be on the water by 7 a.m., two guests per boat maximum. You will be catching 30-50 smallmouth bass per day depending on your casting skills.

The Fishing: You will drift 35-60 miles of a magnificently secluded river filled with Smallmouth Bass rarely seeing another raft. This is an excellent trip for introducing beginning anglers to smallmouth bass fishing. We feel that top water fishing, whether by plug or artificial fly, is one of the most exciting ways of fishing for these spunky fish because of their explosive power. The John Day River offers excellent top water fishing. ARA guides are very knowledgeable, with over 25 years of boating and fishing experience. Their boating skills will insure your safety and their fishing skills will take you to the secret spots so you can catch the big ones! The guides are CPR/Medic 1 trained and certified for your safety. Rafts are the boats of choice, placing you high off the water for easier and more precise casting.

The Accommodations: For three or more days you will make your way down the river fishing the many different holes along the way. You will be camping under star-lit skies each night in comfortable tents. All camping gear is provided except for sleeping bags. Four man tents are used, two guests per tent so that you will have plenty of room. You will sleep like a baby on durable self-inflating mattresses. Solar showers are provided for a relaxing warm shower at the end of the day. Food is prepared by the camp cook while you hike or just sit and enjoy the scenery. Bacon-wrapped filets, Dutch-oven lasagna, BBQ country style ribs, raspberry hazelnut meringue will give you the energy to fight those 30-50 bass you will be catching on a daily basis. You will have a bass fry as an added treat one night. You will be served three meals a day plus snacks. On the last day you will be transported back to Redmond/ Bend, Oregon for your flight home.