Spey School - Speywater Lodge Grande Ronde River

Join renowned Spey casting instructor and Sage Ambassador Scott O’Donnell and his crew of die-hard steelhead guides at Speywater Lodge for four days of Spey instruction and steelhead fishing.

Scott and his crew are master instructors and the Grande Ronde is the best place we know of to learn the art of Spey casting and improve your swing fishing skills. Scott’s Spey School is an incredible opportunity to learn or improve your Spey casting and steelhead fishing with some of the best instructors around, while fine-tuning a personal setup.

All of this along the banks of the beautiful Grande Ronde River.

OVER THE COURSE OF FOUR DAYS YOU WILL LEARN: 

 – Choosing a rod for the fisheries and species you’re targeting
 – Pairing lines and rods
 – Line design and uses – Skagit, Scandi, mid-head, long head
 – Reading steelhead water
 – Fly tying steelhead patterns
 – Basic to advanced Spey casting techniques
 – Basic to advanced swing fishing techniques

Capacity: 8

2020 Dates: October 13th – 18th 

• 2 Days Casting Instruction 
• 2 Days Guided Fishing 

Rate: $2,950 per person for a 5 night/4 day package

Included: Accommodations and meals at lodge, guided fishing, flies and leaders; Sage steelhead Spey rods and reels and RIO Products Spey lines for demo use.

Not Included: Airfare, rental car, gratuities, fishing licenses, and alcohol.

Travel Information: Guests will need to make their way to the lodge which is location just outside of Troy, OR. The nearest airport is Lewiston, ID, and rental cars are available there.

More Information about Speywater Lodge:
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Larimer Outfitters Steelhead Camp

Early dawn breaks in the Deschutes canyon and you’re wakened by the kind voice of Larimer Outfitters’ camp host Julia Knadler. “The coffee is on and breakfast will be in fifteen minutes,” she tells you through the tent door. It’s the beginning of another day of Spey fishing at Tom Larimer’s steelhead camp.

Photo credit to Craig Strong: Tom Larimer - Larimer Outfitters

Photo credit: Tom Larimer

After a scrumptious breakfast in the heated dining tent, you put on your waders, turn on your headlamp and find your Spey rod in the pile of two-handers leaning against the large tent. It’s cold but comfortable, perfect steelhead weather. Tom is waiting for you down the trail that leads to the beautiful piece of steelhead water in front of camp. You find him surveying the early morning scene and the fading stars. A canyon wren calls from a high perch on the basalt wall above, breaking the early morning silence. It’s almost time.

Tom believes your best shot at a steelhead is the fast riffle at the head of the pool. He walks you into position and gives you a series of instructions including where the fish live and how to fish the pool properly. The coffee is kicking in and your excitement level is pinned at eleven. Tom gives you a smile and a nod -as to say “get on with it”. You make your first cast of the day.

With every Spey cast you lengthen a few feet of line. Tom is behind you -coaching every cast, every swing. Despite the fact that he has probably given this pep talk thousands of time in his life; he is as jacked as you are. The pull of the river on your line is intoxicating. You only hope that if a steelhead does grab your fly you don’t lift too soon. “Let him eat it before you lift, give him the loop of line and wait for the reel to click before you hit him” are the words that keep circling your head. Once you’ve reached your maximum casting distance, you start three stepping your way down river towards your fishing partner who is now just a silhouette in the fog. You can’t help but to wonder how a fish is going to see your fly in the low light. Tom gives you one last piece of advice and wades back to shore. Now it’s just you, the river and possibility.

The pull comes before Tom has even reached your partner. -A light tap at first followed by what can only be described as raw voltage. The loop of line Tom instructed you to “give to the fish” was ripped so violently out of your hand you never had time to screw it up. The first run is blinding fast and crescendos with a jump higher than your head. Now it’s your turn. Tom is back at your side and instructs you to get a lower rod angle. His voice, excited but sharp, calls out like a coach in a prizefight. As you drop the rod down the fish launches a second run and puts your reel into overdrive. The fish’s power and resilience is amazing. After three more jumps and two more spirited runs, the Deschutes thoroughbred is close and exhausted. Tom coaches you through the final moments of the fight and slips the net under the eight-pound wild steelhead. She lays silent, hovering in the mesh bag of the net. Her muscular flanks are silver and her cheeks have a hint of rose. She is magnificent in every way. The barbless hook slides out easy and Tom releases her back into the mysterious darkness of the river. Not a bad way to start considering we haven’t even got into the jet boat.

Photo credit to Craig Strong: "It's going to be a good day."

Photo credit: Tom Larimer

It’s going to be a good day.
This is a typical morning on the Deschutes while fishing with Tom. Of course, some days are better than others. That said, we’re extremely lucky to have one of the flagship steelhead rivers in the Northwest just a short 35 minute drive to the east of the fly shop. Furthermore, we work very closely with Tom Larimer on everything from lining Spey rods to what midge pattern is working for Deschutes trout.

Outside of being one of the most experienced guides on the lower river, Larimer is revered as one of the best Spey instructors in the world. As a product developer for Airflo fly lines, his understanding of Spey casting and the ability to correct your flaws is without measure. Under his tutelage, not only will you get a PHD in two-handed casting, but you’ll also learn tons about swinging your fly and steelhead psychology. -He is a wealth of knowledge on all things fly fishing. More so, Tom loves to share his knowledge of the river’s flora, fauna, history and endless stories from eighteen seasons as a professional fly fishing guide.

Photo Credit: Greg Darling

Despite being in the wilderness, his camp is well organized and very comfortable. The guest tents are roomy. The monstrous dining tent is a savior in bad weather. They even have a shower tent with “on demand” water for longer stays. Also, don’t plan on losing weight during your stay. –The menu, which includes lots of locally grown fruits, vegetables and meat, will surprise you. From the moment you step into camp it’s obvious the Larimer Outfitters staff takes great pride in their work.





If you’re looking for a first class experience on a world-class steelhead river from late July through early November, consider spending some time with Tom Larimer on the Deschutes.

2013 Deschutes Steelhead Season in Review

The 2013 Deschutes River steelhead season really surprised me. Prior to August, everyone was saying "If you want to catch a steelhead this year, go north to Canada." - Season in Review

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Home Waters, Home Waters, Home Waters

No place like it


Wisdom frequently originates from unusual and unexpected sources. As an example, who would have thought there was knowledge to be gained from a young farm girl from the plains wearing bejeweled shoes who uttered, “There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home”. The older I become, the more I believe in the mantra. I’ve been fortunate enough to have traveled to a number of places in the pursuit of anything that swims and is willing to inhale feathers tied to hook. But each year, I wait in nervous anticipation – much like a little child waiting for Santa - for my annual Deschutes Steelhead Camp. Home waters are sometimes the most overlooked “Destination” fly fishing trips. Having the Deschutes less than an hour away from the Gorge Fly Shop is a luxury I shall never take for granted.

Gift of Gab

Yes, it is time for another Travis Duddles story.  Sorry Travis!

This time our good friend, Charlie Chambers, "lets the cat out of the bag," with this comical tale from Deschutes River Steelhead Camp.  Thanks Charlie, this is a true classic!

Travis with daughter Mattie on, what once was, Northwestern Lake

And the story goes...

Anyone who has the fortune of spending time with Travis knows that he clearly has been blessed, maybe cursed with the "gift of gab". I think this attribute has contributed to the success of the Gorge Fly Shop. I don't blame Travis because I think there's some genetic basis. I remember having long involved discussions with his brother Scott about our favorite topic, food. However, at least Scott seemed to need a participant. I've been fortunate to spend a number of river camps with Travis who I am blessed to call my friend.

On one particular occasion, several of us were up sharing stories, and finishing off our booze of choice. Adding liquor to Travis and his ability to converse is literally akin to throwing jet fuel on a fire. Over time, one by one, each of us said our goodnights and headed for the comfort of a tent. However, while waiting to fall asleep, I could still easily hear Travis' voice carrying on an animated conversation. Given that with a little liquor, he wasn't allowing someone else to get an word in edgewise, I wasn't struck by the absence of any other voices until the next morning.

Over a nice cup of coffee, we shared the same amazement at hearing Travis' voice carrying on a conversation alone. Much to our surprise, none of us could confirm that any of us were actually the one's sitting there with him telling stories. In other words. Travis was having a very engaging conversation by himself. Not a problem because he clearly sounded like he was really having a great time.

Happy anniversary Travis, looking forward to many more camp trips together.


-Charlie

"Fly Fish the World with Us"