Guided Trips
McKenzie River & Middle Fork Willamette Guided Drift Boat Trips
Experience world-class fly fishing on Oregon's legendary rivers. Since 1992, our professional guide service has been helping anglers of all skill levels discover the exceptional fishing our home waters have to offer. Wether you have the whole day or just a few hours, we'll make sure to give you an experience to remember.
What to Expect
Our guided drift boat trips provide a unique fishing experience on either the McKenzie River or Middle Fork Willamette River. You'll fish from our comfortable, well-equipped McKenzie river drift boats while our experienced local guides handle the oars, read the water, and put you on the fish. Whether you're targeting native rainbow "Redside" trout, wild cutthroat, or elusive summer steelhead, we'll tailor the trip to match current conditions and your fishing goals.
Trip Details
Full Day: Full-day trips typically run 7-8 hours on the water, with lunch and waters provided. The cost is $625.00, one or two anglers per boat.
Half Day: Half-day trips will be 4 hours on the water, with light snacks and water provided. The cost is $500.00, one or two anglers per boat.
Rivers: McKenzie River and Middle Fork Willamette River
Skill Level: All levels welcome—from first-time fly fishers to experienced anglers
The McKenzie river floats:
The Upper. Paradise CG to Bruckart boat landing. This is an amazing float going through the upper reaches of the Mckenzie river. Floating on crystal clear cold water, chasing distinctive redsides, and navigating exciting whitewater, all while slicing through a majestic emerald forest will be the setting for the day. This is the only section I limit my boat to one angler. This section is extremely fast and technical requiring a competent angler with good balance, and adventurous spirit. I will typically start floating up there around May and go through October.
The Middle. Forest Glenn boat landing to Goodpasture EWEB boat landing (top of Leaburg Lake). You could break this into two sections, Forest Glenn to Silver, and Silver to EWEB. This section is stocked with trout in the summer and has some fun white water to navigate, Cooks rapids, Clover point, Eagle rock rapids, Bear creek rapids, Browns hole, Martins rapids, and Gate creek rapids to name a few. If your only into wild trout, don’t overlook this section because it’s stocked, there are amazing wild fish throughout the middle river. The stocked fish are great for the beginner and intermediate anglers, while having no shortage of technical water to pick apart and find the wild ones. We’ll fish this section April through October.
The Lower. The dam all the way to Armitage. The river really slows down below the dam. Long riffles and seams, deep ledges, and glassy tail outs dominate the lower river. You could break this into two sections as well, the dam to Hendricks and Hendricks down to Armitage. The dam to Hendricks is stocked with trout during the summer and Hendricks to Armitage is managed for wild fish. I like to fish the lower river from January through April, and October through November.
The Middle Fork Willamette river floats.
The Middle Fork Willamette river starts high in the Cascades and tumbles over 100 miles before it meets the Coast Fork of the Willamette to form the mainstem Willamette River just on the south east edge of Eugene/Springfield.
The upper float. Starting at Greenwater Park we float down to Black Canyon CG. This an amazing float skirting the towns of Oakridge and Westfir through dense northwest forest. This section is managed for wild trout, and has some technical water to navigate adding excitement to your fishing experience. The flies and tactics are very similar to how we fish the McKenzie, with the MFW usually being a more consistent dry fly fishery. We will fish this from early spring to mid summer before the water gets too low and dicy to float.
The lower float. If spey fishing for summer steelhead is your jam, this is the float for you. Starting just east of town below Dexter dam there are a number of boat ramps and floats that will take you through the confluence with the Coast fork Willamette and into town. This is a beautiful section of river floating past a number of parks, hazelnut orchards and private property. Easily wadeable, long choppy riffles drop you into amazing runs, buckets, and tailouts. There are more classic steelhead runs than the days are long. This is some of our best water to swing flies to summer steelhead. Steelhead can be in town as early as May and fishable till November.
Multi boat trips. We can accommodate larger groups by adding more boats to the float. Two anglers per boat. Multi boat trips are always fun! Book early so we can put the best team together.
Season: We fish all year!
What's Included
- Professional local guide with extensive knowledge and experience
- Fully-equipped McKenzie river drift boat
- All fishing gear and tackle (Just dress for the weather)
- Beverages and light snacks on every trip, lunch provided on the full day
- Instruction and coaching throughout the day
What to Bring
- Valid Oregon fishing license (available online at ODFW)
- Weather-appropriate clothing and layers (no waders needed for float trips)
- Waders and boots if your spey fishing
- Polarized sunglasses
- Sunscreen and hat
- Personal items and any preferred snacks or drinks
Our Guiding Philosophy
We believe great guided trips are about more than just catching fish. Our guides are passionate educators who love sharing their knowledge of the river, local hatches, fly selection, casting techniques, and reading water. Whether you're looking to improve your skills, explore new water, or simply enjoy a day on the river, we're committed to creating a memorable experience.
Seasonal Highlights
Spring: Prime dry fly fishing as March Browns, then McKenzie Green Caddis emerge. Usually starting by late February and going through May.
Summer: June through September. Green Drakes, Gold stones and various attractor patterns will have fish looking up. Summer steelhead should be around on both lower rivers.
Fall: Summer crowds dissipate, and the river succumbs to autumns splendor. Mahogany Duns and October Caddis are on the menu. As the days get shorter and the water cools, the steelhead bite awakens.
Book Your Trip
Ready to experience the McKenzie or Middle Fork Willamette with a professional guide? Contact us to check availability, discuss trip options, and reserve your date. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (May-September).
Questions about our guided trips? Give us a call or stop by the shop—we're happy to help you plan the perfect day on the water.
Home Waters Fly Fishing & Guide Service operates under a special use permit with the Willamette National Forest and is an equal opportunity outdoor recreation service provider.
Home Waters Fly Fishing & Guide Service is a proud member of the McKenzie River Guides Association.
