John Day River Fishing report: 12/21/24 (Bottom of page)
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery: We can get flies to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone
Species
Steelhead (Wild)
Chinook Salmon (Wild)
Coho
Dolly Varden
Redband rainbow trout
Bull Trout
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
Size
Large
Location
Northeastern Oregon
Nearest Towns
Biggs
Season
Varies by species. See current
regulations.
Access:
Limited
Non-Resident License
State of Oregon
Weather
National Weather Service
USGS Stream Flow Data:
Near McDonald Ferry
Season:
The fishing season is species specific. Be sure to check the current regulations
Spring:
There is a current short spring season open for Chinook Salmon. Late spring starts the smallmouth bass season.
Summer:
Summertime is the best time for smallmouth bass fishing and the upper section rainbows and cutthroat trout.
Fall:
Early Fall is good for smallmouth bass.
Winter:
Wintertime fishing on the John Day River for steelhead and salmon strictly depends on the weather. The fish will be there, but whether or not you can fish for them is weather dependent.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
For Steelhead and Salmon
Fly Line:
7, 8 , 9 or 10 weight for appropriate typerod, sinking, sinking tip and floating
Leaders:
10#, 12# in 9 to 15 feet lengths
Tippets:
10# and 12#
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly 7, 8, 9 and 10 ft. single hand rods
Fly Reels:
For 7 to 10 weight lines
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
KISS Strike Indicators, Lanyards, etc.
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery:
Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
Perfect Fly Power Pack Spey Rod Series: Click Here for full description
$225.00
Steelhead & Salmon Fly Selections
Copyright 2016 James Marsh
Fly Fishing On The John Day River In Oregon
The John Day River is a tributary of the Columbia River that’s approximately 281 miles long. It is located in northeastern Oregon. The river is the second longest free-flowing river in the continental United States. It’s classified as a “Wild and Scenic” river under Oregon Scenic Waterways Act.
Much of the river is surrounded by steep basalt canyon walls, juniper, and sagebrush. Fly fishing the John Day River varies greatly depending on the area and season. The river gets very low in the summer and boats have a tough to impossible time to navigate it.
Although it is best known for its smallmouth bass fishing, the John Day River is famous for its wild steelhead. The system has one of the last all-wild runs of adronomous fish east of the Cascade Mountains. The steelhead average about 6 to 8 pounds with larger ones caught frequently. There are not any hatchery fish released in the John Day River.
Steelhead enter the lower section of the river in October and will continue to enter the river throughout the Winter. Late October through mid December is the prime time. Unlike many other steelhead rivers, the John Day River is never crowded. The river can be waded and fished with both single handed and Spey rods. Drift boat fishing is the most popular method of fishing the river.
The Steelhead run on the John Day River starts to pick up shortly after the water rises. The water is used for irrigation of the high desert country until the first of October but when it is shut off, the river rises and the fish start to show up. The fish are in the river through February.
During the steelhead season, the John Day moves along mostly steady with lots of riffles and some rapids. The rapids are shown on the maps and are popular for white water rafters. There are also some slow water areas of the river.
If you float the river on your on, you should have some experience with fast water boating and depending on the area, white water skills. It can be floated by drift boats, inflatable rafts, kayaks and even canoes depending on the area and the flows. The best flows for drift boats is around 800 cfs. Canoes and Kayaks should probably be lower than 300 cfs.
There is limited access for the steelhead fishing. The best access is found at Rock Creek; Cottonwood Canyon on highway #206; Clarno on highway #218; and Service Creek on Highway #19.
Flies:
We have a complete line of flies for steelhead and salmon. We have selected them as the most popular flies from thousands of patterns that have been developed over the years. We have some of our own Perfect Fly steelhead and salmon patterns. They imitate the hexigenia mayfly nymph, certain caddisfly nymphs, stonefly nymphs and fish roe or eggs that are found in the river throughout the year. We also have a full line of popular wet flies, egg flies, Spey flies that are very popular. We hope you will give our flies a try. We have customers who have used our flies on the John Day River with success and hope that you will give them an opportunity to perform for you.
Trout Flies:
We definitely recommend our “Perfect Fly” trout flies. They are by far the best flies for the John Day River because they are the most realistic flies you can purchase. We have imitations of every insect and other trout food that is present in this stream and in all stages of life that is applicable. If you haven’t done so already, we ask you to give them a try. We know you will not be disappointed.
Fishing Reports:
04/25/21 The past high water levels brought more steelhead into the river. You should be able to catch some but we didn’t receive any recent reports from anyone.
05/11/21 We don’t have any recent reports from anyone fishing. The levels should are down and smallmouth bass fishing is good. We have some of our own smallmouth bass flies that work great on the river.
05/20/21 More smallmouth bass reports have come in. Conditions remain about the same.
05/28/21 The river is turning out good numbers of smallmouth bass. Stream levels are low. They are taking our Perfect Fly popping bugs and crayfish steamers very good.
06/06/21 Stream levels are very low. This is good for smallmouth bass fishing and not for steelhead. We are getting good smallmouth reports.
06/17/21 The stream levels remain very low but we are still getting some very good reports on smallmouth bass. Check out our smallmouth bass flies. https://perfectflystore.com/product-category/flies/perfect-fly-other-freshwater-flies/bass/
07/03/21 We are still getting good reports on smallmouth bass fishing. Stream levels are still very low.
07/14/21 The river is under hoot owl restrictions. We are still getting good smallmouth bass fishing reports. See the link above 2 paragraphs for our bass flies.
07/28/21 The river is still very low and only one man float-able boats and wading will work. Good number of smallmouth bass are being caught by our customers.
08/05/21 The conditions remain the same. Low water. Good smallmouth bass fishing opportunity but wade or use small, one man boats. https://perfectflystore.com/product-category/flies/perfect-fly-other-freshwater-flies/bass/
08/15/21 Conditions remain the same – low water. Excellent catches of smallmouth bass are being reported by our customers.
08/31/21 The flow are still very low and larger drift boats won’t work well but one man pontoons and wading does. Smallmouth bass fishing is still very good.
09/10/21 Conditions are almost the same as last week. We received good reports from two customers catching smallmouth.
09/18/21 The levels are low but on the way up thanks to rain yesterday with more to come today. This should really help. Get ready for some good opportunity.
09/27/21 The river is still low, flowing at 34 cfs. Flows below 30 make it unwise to use a boat of any type but bank fishing is available many places. Steelhead fishing is closed this year.
10/10/21 Our customers are still sending in good reports of smallmouth catches. It is still too low to use a boat.
10/20/21 More reports of smallmouth. Our crayfish patterns are working good. They come with or without rattles.
10/31/21 The river was turning out good catches of smallmouth bass. Water levels are low. Steelhead fishing is closed for the year due to low returns. The season for all species is now closed on all rivers and streams.
01/27/22 The steelhead season is closed.
04/26/22 Trout can be caught. The water is warming up and there are some hatches taking place.
05/04/22 Good hatches are taking place and we are getting our first good reports from customers fishing for trout.
05/12/22 Trout are being caught in good numbers by our customers. Hatches are going good and some being caught on the dry fly.
05/20/22 More good reports came in on trout this past week.
05/28/22 We didn’t get any reports from anyone fishing this past week. Trout were being caught and probably still can be. Let us hear from you.
06/11/22 The stream levels are up high. Give it some time to drop and clear. We were getting some good reports.
06/18/22 The stream is still high but falling. It should be clearing up and getting in okay shape very soon.
06/25/22 The stream is down a lot. We are getting a few good reports from customers fishing for smallmouth bass. Our crayfish patterns seem to be working best.
07/02/22 More good reports came in from customers catching smallmouth bass. Good conditions exist for them.
07/09/22 Our crayfish patterns and popping bugs are starting to catch good numbers of smallmouth bass.
07/16/22 The lower section of the river is turning out some very good catches of smallmouth bass for our customers. We are getting very good reports. Crayfish patterns and our popping bugs are working good.
07/30/22 The smallmouth fishing continues to be good. Check out our smallmouth bass flies:
08/13/22 We are still getting good smallmouth bass reports. Fish early and late in the day for the best results.
08/20/22 Fish our Perfect fly popping bugs early mornings and crayfish patterns up in the day and you can catch some nice smallmouth.
08/27/22 Another good report came in on smallmouth bass.
09/18/22 Conditions are slowly improving. Smallmouth bass fishing is still very good. Our crayfish patterns and popping bugs are working good.
10/08/22 Conditions are not good. The stream is very low.
11/17/22 The water is still too low to float. Conditions are still poor.
01/02/23 Stream levels are falling, but are still above normal. Some fish are being caught.
02/08/23 Steelhead season is closed. Smallmouth bass season is open but the water needs to warm up some for it to be good.
02/23/23 The season on Steelhead is closed. We don’t have any reports on smallmouth bass but it should be getting good soon. Check back with us when it reopens.
03/26/23 We received a good report from a customer fishing for smallmouth bass. He used our crayfish patterns.
04/07/23 We received another smallmouth bass report from a customer.
04/21/23 We are getting some good reports on Smallmouth, two this past week.
04/28/23 Our smallmouth bass flies like the crayfish patterns, are catching fish. We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week.
05/14/23 Stream levels are very high and the water stained. Keep in touch and we will keep you informed.
05/25/23 The stream has been high but falling fast but still well above normal. Give it a little more time to drop and clear.
06/14/23 The stream is in good shape flowing at a normal level and mostly clear. We are getting good reports from customers fishing for smallmouth bass.
06/24/23 Smallmouth bass fishing is very good. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week.
07/02/23 The stream is turning out some good catches of smallmouth bass. Our Perfect Fly popping bugs and crayfish patterns are working good.
07/12/23 The stream is turning out some very good catches of smallmouth bass. Our stealth bomber flies are working very good.
07/20/23 We received another good report on smallmouth bass. Crayfish, and Stealth bomber flies are working good.
07/31/23 Two good reports from customers fishing for smallmouth came in his past week.
08/05/23 The stream is still turning out some nice catches of smallmouth bass for our customers.
08/17/23 Smallmouth bass fishing is very good. Check out our smallmouth flies. https://perfectflystore.com/product-category/flies/perfect-fly-other-freshwater-flies/bass/
08/21/23 The stream is still turning out some nice catches of smallmouth bass.
08.28/23 Our crayfish flies are working great for the smallmouth but some are also taking the popping bugs.
09/05/23 Smallmouth bass fishing doesn’t get much better than this. Good reports of catches continue to come in.
09/19/23 The stream is still turning out some very good catches of smallmouth. Our Perfect Fly crayfish patterns are working good.
09/26/23 Coho and steelhead are starting to show up. Smallmouth bass fishing is still very good.
10/03/23 We didn’t get any reports of salmon and steelhead but they should start coming into the river in decent numbers with pulses of higher water.
10/12/23 We received our first report of both salmon and steelhead being caught.
11/10/23 The stream is still turning out a few smallmouth and steelhead are moving into the lower river. It should be very good soon.
11/17/23 We received one good report from a customer catching steelhead. This should be very good soon.
11/27/23 Sorry for the missed reports. Steelhead are being caught in good numbers. Swinging and nymphing methods both work. Our dark shaded egg sucking leech patterns are working good.
12/09/23 More good steelhead catch reports have come in from customers.
12/26/23 The stream is turning out some steelhead in the lower section of the river. Swinging and nymphing methods are both working.
01/10/24 Stream levels are still good and we continue to get some good reports from customers fishing for steelhead.
01/23/24 Steelhead have begin to move into the lower river.
02/19/24 The stream is very high and muddy. Hopefully, it will drop and clear. There are lots of steelhead in the river.
02/26/24 The stream is still a good bit above normal but can be fished in places. It should be very good if and when the level comes down to near normal.
03/08/24 The stream is still off color and a little high but steelhead are being caught. it should be good this coming week.
03/14/24 The river is still off color from rain and a little high but steelhead are still being caught.
03/21/24 The stream is still a little dingy from rain but the levels are not too high to catch steelhead. We received one good report from a customer fishing for them this past week.
04/04/24 Stream levels are still high and the water stained. We still received one good report from a customer fishing for steelhead.
04/14/24 Stream levels are still high and lightly stained. We received one good steelhead report and one good smallmouth bass report in very different sections of the river, of course.
05/06/24 Smallmouth bass fishing is picking up and we are getting some good reports. Our crayfish patterns are working good.
05/13/24 We are getting good reports of smallmouth being caught.
05/21/24 The stream is still turning out some nice catches of smallmouth bass. The water is still a little cold and you need to fish mostly all subsurface flies.
06/03/24 We received a good report from a customer catching smallmouth bass on our crayfish patterns.
06/10/24 Smallmouth bass fishing should be very good.
06/17/24 We received two good reports from customers fishing for smallmouth bass.
06/2424 The stream is producing some smallmouth bass catches for our local customers. Our crayfish patterns are working good.
07/01/24 Smallmouth are taking popping bugs as well as sub-surface flies. We received a report from two customers fishing this past week.
07/08/24 It is popping bug time. We are getting good smallmouth reports.
07/17/24 Smallmouth bass fishing just doesn’t get any better than it is here. Okay stream levels and clear water also help.
07/23/24 The stream is turning out some good catches of smallmouth bass. Our crayfish patterns are working good.
08/02/24 We are getting more good catch reports from customers fishing for smallmouth. Our popping bugs and crayfish patters are both working good.
08/08/24 We received another good report from a customer fishing for smallmouth bass.
08/16/24 The stream is flowing at a low level and warm. Bass fishing is good. Check out our smallmouth flies: below
08/27/24 Smallmouth Bass fishing is still good except the water is low and warm. Fish during low light conditions, cloudy days, early and late.
09/02/24 We are still getting good reports on smallmouth bass fishing. Popping bugs fished early and late and our crayfish patterns are working good.
09/11/24 Good reports are still coming in from customers fishing for smallmouth bass.
09/17/24 The stream is still turning out good catches of smallmouth bass.
09/24/24 We received another good report from a customer fishing for smallmouth bass.
10/01/24 Stream levels are low and you need to fish from the bank or using a small pontoon type boat. Smallmouth fishing is still good. Good hatches continue to take place.
10/08/24 We received a good report from a customer fishing for smallmouth. Our popping bugs are working good early and late in the day.
10/17/24 Good smallmouth bass reports continue to come in.
10/25/24 The stream is still a little low and clear but steelhead are coming into the river and moving upstream. Smallmouth bass fishing is still good.
11/01/24 Steelhead are in the river in good numbers. We haven’t received any catch reports on them but you should be able to catch them. The stream levels are up some and that should help.
11/05/24 We received our first report on steelhead being caught.
11/15/24 The stream is above a normal level bringing in a lot of steelhead. We didn’t get another catch report but you should be able to catch them when the stream levels subside some.
11/22/24 We received two good reports from customers fishing for steelhead this past week.
11/29/24 Steelhead fishing is good. We are still getting good catch reports. Both Swinging and Nymphing methods are working.
12/06/24 Four more good catch reports have come in from customers catching steelhead.
12/15/24 Steelhead are still being caught in good numbers. Both methods of swinging our steelhead streamers and fishing our steelhead nymphs work.
12/21/24 We received two more good catch reports from customers fishing for Steelhead.
Perfect Flies are designed and tied to to imitate and behave like the natural foods fish rely on to survive as much as possible. The more your fly looks like and moves through and on the surface of the water like the real things, the higher your odds of success.
Click to check out our smallmouth bass flies:
Check out our steelhead/salmon flies. https://perfectflystore.com/product-category/flies/perfect-generic-steelhead-salmon-flies/pacific-steelhead/
Let us help you plan that next trip. Send an email with the dates you want to fish to sales@perfectflystore.com, and we will help you.