John Day River Wilderness Adventure

Highest Volume Smallmouth Bass Fishing on Earth

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Species

Smallmouth bass

Recommended Length

3-5 Fishing Days

Season(s)

June, July

Floating Oregon’s John Day River float is an unparalleled display of sights, sounds and fishing possibilities. Carving its way through a 1,000-foot gorge and estimated to contain more smallmouth bass per mile than any U.S. river, the John Day is an adventure every serious bass fisherman should experience. This thrilling program is also among Trek’s most popular family adventures, due to the non-stop fun of floating the river and catching a LOT of fish.

Your John Day River Wilderness Adventure begins when an Arrowhead River Adventure agent meets you at the Redmond/Bend, Oregon Airport and transfers you to either Redmond or Prineville for the overnight. You and your guide will be on the water by 7am the next day.

Each day, you will float different segments of the river, soaking in Oregon’s natural beauty and hauling in fish numbers that commonly surpass 50 per day. On the last day you will be transported back to Redmond/Bend, Oregon for your flight home.

You will drift 35-60 miles of a magnificently secluded river filled with fierce-fighting Smallmouth Bass. This is an excellent trip for introducing beginning anglers to smallmouth bass fishing due to the non-stop action. The John Day River offers excellent top water fishing. Our 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! Rafts are the boats of choice, placing you high off the water for easier and more precise casting.

For three or more days, you will make your way down the river, fishing the many different holes along the way. You’ll unwind each evening under starlit skies in comfortable tents. All camping gear is provided. 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, country style ribs, and raspberry hazelnut meringue will give you the energy to fight those 30-50 bass you will be catching on a daily basis.

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