Trip Summary

John Day River Trip by Rachel Andras
Fly Fishing the Pacific Northwest

JOHN DAY RIVER, BASS SLIDE SHOW

Our group of six ladies ranged from rank beginners to experienced anglers and we spent three days and two nights floating and fishing for smallmouth bass. All and all it was a great trip. The first day we all met in Condon, Oregon (only 2 ½ hours from Portland) at the historical Condon Hotel. This is a charming hotel in the center of town complete with a nice bar and restaurant. Marty and Mia Sheppard and their staff came by to check in with us to determine the next morning meeting time.

The day started early with a hearty breakfast at the Condon Café. Our first day on the water was tough, as we were the first group of the year and spring had come late to the Pacific Northwest. The river was still relatively high and cold, far from ideal for bass, but we managed to land a few fish. Each consecutive day improved greatly with warmer weather and water temperatures. We fished olive wooly buggers most of the time and lost count of the numbers of fish we caught days two and three. It just kept getting better and better. While most fish ranged from 10-14 inches, Nikki landed a 6lb bass that was heavily photographed and spoken of for days. She had a lot to be proud of – it could be the fish of the season. We are rootin’ for her.

The John Day River curves and twists through vertical basalt cliffs with breathtaking views of incredible rock formations. There were painted hills, sagebrush and juniper, ospreys and eagles, deer, and the occasional snake. It was still early enough to see wildflowers in bloom including lots of lupine.

We were in the middle of nowhere but we had what we needed. A tidy camp was always waiting for us at the end of each day. Our tents were fully set with comfortable cots and there was a nice kitchen, a dining table in the shade, a hand washing station, and a camp toilet. Each morning we had hot coffee and tea along with fresh fruit, pancakes or French toast, and sausage. Lunches were fresh salads and sandwiches while dinners included pasta with smoked salmon, grilled asparagus, teriyaki chicken and vegetarian sushi! Mia even brought a birthday cake for our friend Kate who celebrated her 22nd birthday on the trip. Marty, Mia, Kaitlin, Spanny, Kate, and Clabe were an amazing team. They were knowledgeable, fun and they worked well together taking care of every detail.

This is a perfect trip for those who enjoy continuous action on a fly rod in a remote wilderness setting. It is great for kids, families, novices, and those just looking to enjoy one of the nation’s longest undammed rivers. All I could think about is how I could get my nieces and nephews on this trip next season. I hope to figure it out. Space is limited due to having a short season (June and July) so if you are interested let us know soon!