Little Creek Outfitters - Chase All Your Cares Away

We hope you are well and healthy during this time. Whether you are a past, present, or future guest of a Little Creek Outfitters we wanted to take this time to communicate to you our perspective on COVID-19.We expect travel restrictions to ease and the rivers too open, so we are preparing for our standard spring, summer, and fall adventures. Firstly, please know that there is nothing more important to us than the health and safety of our guests and staff. In that regard, as a Special Recreational Permit (SRP) holder of the BLM and National Forest Service we are required to adhere to the policies and regulations pertinent to commercial SRP river related activates. These activates are subject to inspection and we are proud to say we have passed past inspections every time and will continue to do so.  In addition to following the SPR regulations, we will ensure adherence to CDC guidelines for businesses. In most cases, this just means doing a little bit extra of what we already do every day. We believe that going on a river trip and being surrounded by nature may just be the perfect way to relieve stress and begin the healing we’ll need as a society by fishing and spending time on the river with your family and friends in a safe environment.

Deschutes Trout Summer is here. Goldenstone flies are flying and the weather is perfect in Maupin. Currently the river is closed too boating but open to bank fishing. We are expecting the river to open May 21st and we are ready to get back on the water. We have open dates for jet boat camp trips and drift boat day trips. You are welcome to book a last minute trip. The lower 100 miles of the Deschutes is known for its epic big bug hatches and native redside trout, with populations running over 3,500 fish per a mile. Join us for wild trout, dryfly fishing and top-notch camping and food. For more information go our website, email us at littlecreekoutfitters@gmail.com or call Marty @ 503-819-4035 or Mia @ 541-419-2105 to book.

Maupin Vacation Rental Looking for a place to call home away from home the next time you visit Maupin to trout or steelhead fish? We have converted our downstairs into a Bed and Breakfast/Rental. Give Mia a call for availability or book on line at VRBO.

Thanks for fishing with us! Sincerely, Marty and Mia Sheppard Little Creek Outfitters www.oregonsteelhead.com littlecreekoutfitters@gmail.com (503) 819-4035 or (541) 419-2105

Little Creek Outfitters - Join us for Trout, Smallmouth Bass Fishing or Yoga

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Deschutes Trout Spring is upon us and we are excited about trout fishing on the Deschutes River. We have prime openings and limited space for jet boat camp and day trips in May. The lower 100 miles of the Deschutes is known for its epic big bug hatches and native redside trout, with populations running over 3,500 fish per a mile. Join us for wild trout, dryfly fishing and top-notch camping and food. For more information go our website or email to book. Camp trip dates are May 11-13 (1 person), May 25-27 (3 people) Email for day trip availability.

John Day Smallmouth Bass The John Day is arguably the finest smallmouth bass fishery west of the Mississippi and we only have a few spots remaining on camp trips this summer. Let our professional team spoil you with great camps, food, and a fun time! Available dates: June 17-19 (4 anglers) June 2-4th (6 anglers) Rate for a three day camp trip is $1275.00 per a person.

John Day Women's SUP/YOGA/FISH June 25-27 If you have a passion for yoga and the outdoors, this is the trip for you! Relax, unplug and find your balance paddling, practicing yoga and fishing. This trip will cover about 24 miles. Mia Sheppard will pace the group down river in a driftboat and carry lunch, extra water and gear. While you are floating down the river, enjoy the wildlife, fly-fish or just relax. A designated gear boat with two team members will pack, move camp and have it set up when we arrive in the evening. Yoga will be practiced on the water and in camp. We supply the SUP's. 3 spots available Price: $725.00 Sincerely, Marty and Mia Sheppard Little Creek Outfitters www.oregonsteelhead.com littlecreekoutfitters@gmail.com (503) 819-4035 or (541) 419-2105

John Day Steelhead with Marty and Mia Sheppard

Swing Water Corner

John Day River Steelhead
Chances are, if you are a die-hard steelheader, you have heard about the John Day River and you know that the John Day River has the largest run of wild steelhead in the lower 48. On average 10 thousand summer steelhead return to the John Day to spawn each year. These aggressive critters have been crushing our flies every year since we started guiding there in 2001.

What is unique about the John Day is, there is no hatchery and no dam. This makes the fishery even more special. Except for the occasional stray hatchery, most the steelhead we see are wild.

The Waters
The John Day is a small river in comparison to some of the other great big rivers of the West. The river is low gradient and can be quite wide in many places. These are spots where it takes a solid cast to reach the prime holding spots but there are many runs were a short cast works. This is why beginners have success here and good casters have splendid success!

Trips
We offer day trips and multi day camp trips with a drift boat or raft. On our trips we will cover about 9 miles a day. As we float you down river you will be surrounded by sun-drenched canyons lined with basalt rock faces and sagebrush-dotted hillsides on one of the third longest free flowing rivers in the United States.

We will stop at runs and walk and wade. On camp trips a designated gear boat will pack, move camp and have it set up when you arrive in the evening.

All meals with be prepared with fresh ingredients and we utilize Dutch ovens. Our camp trips have been described as “glamping.” These overnight journeys provide magical wilderness adventure and campground comforts.

Prices
We charge $600.00 for a day trip (1 guide for 2 anglers) We provide transportation to and from your hotel, permit fee, lunch, coffee, rods and flies and professional guides.

Our camp trips range from 3-5 days, the rate is $550 per a day. Shuttle fee is an additional $100.00.

We are currently taking bookings for day trips and we have openings on a camp trip November 11-13th and 15th -17th .

Contact Marty and Mia Sheppard at littlecreekoutfitters@gmail.com to book today!

Little Creek Outfitters - Fall Steelhead Availability

There's no argument the Deschutes, John Day, and Grande Ronde Rivers are great places to chase steelhead and we love sharing these Rivers with you!

We have open dates for camp trips and day trips this fall.

Camp trips:



August 18-19 Deschutes River Jet Boat

October 27-29 Deschutes River Jet Boat

October 25th- 28th Grande Ronde River Float

November 12-16th John Day River Float

November 17-19th John Day River Float

Email for more details or click here.

Call Mia for available day trips in October and November at 541-419-2105.

Enjoy a Wild and Scenic River

Fish for Wild Steelhead

Top Notch Camps and Food

Let Us DO the Work

Marty and Mia Sheppard

Little Creek Outfitters

www.oregonsteelhead.com

littlecreekoutfitters@gmail.com

(503) 819-4035 or (541) 419-2105

Austin's John Day Summer Camp with Little Creek Outfitters

Every Year Mia and Marty Sheppard host summer camps for kids on the John Day River. Austin got to join in for the fun.

Here's Austin's report...

I was excited to hear that my parents had signed me up for a four night, five day float with Little Creek Outfitters.

Marty and Mia Sheppard are the host of the camp. This trip was for kids age 11-14. I just turned 12 earlier this summer.

We got on the river July 14 and finished on July 18.

A gear boat would leave before us in the morning and go set up camp while we were floating and fishing the river.

When we reached camp everyone settled in and we ate a great dinner. Then we would sit around camp talk, tell stories and play card games.

I believe from my personal experience this was one of my most favorite rivers to fish.
I've done a bunch of different fishing including redfishing but I liked this one the most because I was guaranteed a fish on every cast.

One of the days I was in Mia's boat rowing while she was fishing. She made a great cast and hooked the biggest bass of the trip. Everyone stopped on shore and Marty took pictures.

Most fish are not big but on a Redington Vice 5wt Fly Rod, big or small the fish are fun. I caught the smallest fish it was just over an inch. I caught it on a subsurface fly.

On the first two days I was using small black, yellow and orange poppers. The last three days I was using a subsurface fly. The subsurface fly was yellow with a white bead on the hook.

In the morning we had to cast 5 feet from the bank. After noon we were casting right up to the bank.


Smallmouth bass fishing on the john day river is fished by a lot of anglers for good reason. It's one of the best places for smallmouth bass in Oregon.

For more information contact: Mia Sheppard – Little Creek Outfitters

littlecreekoutfitters@gmail.com – 541-419-2105 www.littlecreekoutfitters.com

Austin
Gorge Fly Shop Head Guide &
Future "Bassmaster"