Fish Species Guide
The Pacific Northwest is home to some of the most diverse and exciting fly fishing in the world. From wild steelhead on the Deschutes to native cutthroat in remote Cascade streams, Oregon and Washington offer a lifetime of angling opportunities. At Northwest Fly Fishing Outfitters, our guides and staff have spent decades fishing these waters — and we’re here to help you understand the species, the seasons, and the gear that will put you on fish.
Explore our species guides below to learn where to find them, what gear to use, and which flies work best.
Trout & Char
Rainbow Trout
The heartbeat of PNW fly fishing. Wild redbands on the Deschutes, trophy fish on the Metolius — rainbow trout are the most sought-after species in Oregon and Washington.
Brown Trout
The most cunning trout in the PNW. Technical spring creek fishing on the Metolius and Crooked River, trophy fish in fall — brown trout reward patience and precision.
Cutthroat Trout
The native trout of the Pacific Northwest. Willing dry fly eaters are found in rivers, streams, and mountain lakes throughout Oregon and Washington.
Sea-run Cutthroat Trout
“Harvest trout” — coastal cutthroat that run from the ocean into rivers and estuaries. One of the PNW’s most underrated and exciting fly fishing targets.
Bull Trout
A federally threatened char that requires the coldest, cleanest water in the PNW. Legal targeting is limited to the Metolius River and Lake Billy Chinook — a rare and special fishery.
Steelhead & Salmon
Steelhead
The crown jewel of Pacific Northwest fly fishing. Sea-run rainbow trout with summer and winter runs across Oregon and Washington’s finest rivers — including the Deschutes, Sandy, North Umpqua, and Skagit.
Warmwater Species
Smallmouth Bass
World-class warmwater fly fishing in Oregon’s river canyons. The John Day and lower Deschutes hold exceptional wild smallmouth — aggressive, hard-fighting, and willing to crush surface flies.
Carp on the Fly
The “golden bones” of the PNW. Sight fishing to tailing carp in shallow water is as technical and rewarding as any trout fishing — and the fish are right in your backyard.
Plan Your Trip
Ready to get on the water? Our guides know these species and rivers intimately. Whether you’re chasing your first rainbow trout or targeting steelhead on a two-handed rod, we’ll put you in the right place at the right time.