DESCHUTES CANYON FLY SHOP

Helping you master the Deschutes since 1985

Stream Flows

DESCHUTES RIVER NEAR MADRAS, OR

(cfs): 3830

45.5 F°

DESCHUTES RIVER AT MOODY, NEAR BIGGS, OR

(cfs): 4470

45.32 F°

Client Comments & References

I contacted John Smeraglio for 2 days of guided fishing on the Deschutes this past September. I wanted to spend my limited time fishing, casting to productive water, rather than searching, and John was great when it came to making this happen. I had read that John had decades of knowledge from fishing the river, and I found out this was absolutely true. John put me on productive water and he provided the right fly for the conditions, and told me what techniques I should use. Even with my relative lack of skill and experience, I was able to get into fish at the very 1^st spot we tried. At virtually every spot we attempted, I had takes within the first few casts. John added to the fishing by making it a stress free enjoyable day. He has decades of experience, allowing him to give you the right type of advice, in the right amounts. I learned some very helpful tips when it came to line management, casting, gear, and the like. John goes above and beyond to help you have a successful day, and I couldn’t have been more satisfied. I did my exploring during non guided hours, and I experimented with flies and techniques typically recommended for the Deschutes during that time of year (I had done some pretty extensive research leading up to this trip). My results, on my own, with flies and techniques that differed from what John recommended, were pretty poor, pretty much confirming that John’s help made a huge difference. I can’t say enough about how enjoyable and successful my fishing trip was, thanks to John Smeraglio. The Deschutes is a large and intimidating river in places, and I would recommend a guide if you’re not familiar with it. John helps you spend your time fishing productively, and he does it in the most enjoyable way. I will absolutely hire him again, when I get back there.

- Brian Mihara

Hawaii

More Testimonials

ABOUT JOHN SMERAGLIO

John remembers catching his first Redband Trout on the Deschutes River when he was just five years old. He has always enjoyed being outdoors, and the thrilling memory of catching that trout fed his enthusiasm to experience more fishing adventures.

At age ten, a friend of the family introduced John to fly fishing when he showed John a fly rod his was building. With an instant spark of interest, John bought the components to build his own fly rod. After completing the project, he spent most of the spring learning to cast. By late summer, he caught a trout on the rod he built, the tapered leader he made, and a fly he tied.

It wasn’t long before he felt that if he could learn more about the insects that trout fed on every day, it would surly increase his success by fooling larger trout, more often. Obviously, entomology became another interesting and vital aspect of fly fishing.This is why John is extremely knowledgeable regarding the insect life here on the Deschutes and other western rivers.

From that day forward his passion grew rapidly as he devoted himself to building better rods, tying better flies, and designing better hand tied tapered leaders. All of these elements produced more positive results, allowing him to achieve the best presentation possible for catching trout.

In 1973, John landed his first summer steelhead on the Deschutes using the classic down stream swing method with a Muddler Minnow. With eyes wide open and his heart ready to pound out of his chest, he said to himself, “this opens up a whole new dimension to this sport, and I want to learn as much as possible about steelhead fishing with flies”.

In 1985, John moved from his home town of Portland Oregon to Maupin, where he opened a fly shop and guide service on the Deschutes River. He owned and operated the business for 36 years before closing the retail shop. He continues to offer guided trips, lessons and classes. John truly enjoys teaching fly fishing to those who share the passion for this beautiful sport, on this beautiful river.

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PO Box 334 Maupin, OR 97037 | (541) 395-2565 | email us here | follow us

Deschutes Canyon Fly Shop