Education Opportunities
- Engage with Other Registrants:
- Join the Oregon iFiB Facebook Group
- Join the Oregon DIY WhatsApp Group
- Pose your questions; our co-hosts and community members will help answer the questions.
- 2026 Live Q&A Session
- April 8th, 2026, at 6 pm PT – Register HERE
- Co-Host Guidance:
- Our co-hosts will be available throughout the event.
- Get answers on topics like knots, leaders, flies, and prime fishing locations.
- In-Person Workshop Opportunity:
- Participate in the Donation-Based “Fishing the Deschutes River” Workshop.
- Register HERE
- Social Fishing Morning
- Join us on Friday morning to fish alongside fellow registrants. Our co-hosts will be on site and available to help answer questions about fishing setup and techniques.
We’re here to help, so don’t hesitate to ask!
Donation-Based Workshop
We’re excited to offer the 2-hour, donation-based “Fishing the Deschutes River” workshop again in 2026. This hands-on session is designed to prepare anglers for the non-guided social fishing on Friday, 5/29/26, giving participants the skills and confidence to make the most of their time on the river. Attendees will also receive access to online prep courses to help get ready before the workshop.
Workshop Details:
- Location: Maupin City Park Community Building
- 206 Bakeoven Rd, Maupin, OR 97037
- Date: Thursday, 5/28/26
- Time: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Instructors: Heather Hodson, Justin Bubenik, and Kacey Davey
- Cost: Donation-Based
Workshop Station Description
The “Fishing the Deschutes River” workshop is designed to help anglers build confidence and practical skills for fishing one of Oregon’s most iconic trout rivers. Through four interactive learning stations, participants will gain hands-on knowledge about how to approach the river, rig their gear, understand local insect activity, and apply effective fishing techniques.
- Station #1: Deschutes River Walk and Wade Access Points and Overall Tips
- New to the river and unsure where to fish? In this station, we’ll review key walk-and-wade access points along the Deschutes River, discuss the different types of water you’ll encounter, and explain the level of wading difficulty in various areas. Participants will also look at important locations on the map and receive helpful tips for safely and confidently approaching the river.
- Station #2: Leader Set-Ups
- Learn how to properly set up your leader for success. This hands-on station will guide participants through different leader configurations, how to attach flies, and how to adjust setups based on fishing techniques and river conditions. This is perfect preparation for the next day’s social fishing event or an evening session on the water.
- Station #3: Match the Hatch
- Understanding insect hatches is key to successful fly fishing. In this station, we’ll discuss which flies are effective on the Deschutes River during this time of year and why. Participants will learn how to identify the insects currently hatching, when those hatches typically occur, and the characteristics of each hatch. We’ll also talk about how insect behavior influences trout feeding and how that impacts fly selection and presentation.
- Station #4: Fishing Techniques of the Deschutes River
- There isn’t just one way to fish the Deschutes River. In this final station, we’ll explore different fishing techniques using the leader and flies you’ve learned to set up. Topics will include how to approach the water, how to fish different sections of the water column, presentation direction based on technique, and casting approaches that help bring everything together.
Bonus Online Courses – With your workshop registration, you’ll also receive access to the full Fly Fish Instruct online courses: Intro to Fly Fishing and Reading Trout Water. Access instructions will be included in your registration email and on the password-protected event website.
Scholarship Available
The Deschutes River Alliance is offering a Troutfest Scholarship as part of its annual Troutfest celebration, an event centered on trout, the angling community, and the Lower Deschutes River. Click HERE to apply.
Troutfest serves as both a celebration and a platform to highlight the Alliance’s conservation work, while also supporting tourism in rural Central Oregon. Through a partnership with Visit Central Oregon, the scholarship program was created to make the event more accessible and inclusive.
The scholarship specifically aims to support “non-typical” anglers—those who may face barriers to participation due to cost, lack of representation, or simply not being aware of the event. By reducing these barriers, the program seeks to broaden participation, create a more diverse angling community, and ensure more people can experience the Deschutes River and Troutfest.
Dra Troutfest
Troutfest offers several education opportunities over the weekend.
Friday Social Fishing Day
The Social Fishing Day is an opportunity for participants to come together and spend a few hours fishing as a group. Our co-hosts will be on-site to help answer questions about fishing setup and techniques and to share insights into fishing the area. This is a communal, social experience. If you’re seeking solitude on the water, this may not be the right fit. But if you’re excited to learn, fish alongside others, and connect with new angling friends, this opportunity is for you.
Most participants will meet at the Maupin City Park Community Building to carpool at 8:30 am, while others may choose to head directly to the fishing spot. We’ll be returning to the same location we visited last year. CLICK HERE.
This fishing spot is located between Twin Springs Campground and Oakbrook Recreation Site. There’s ample parking and plenty of accessible walk-and-wade water.
Friday 5/29/26 Social Fishing Details –
- 8:30 am – Meet at the Maupin City Park Community Building to Carpool
- 9:00 am – 12:00 pm – Social Fishing on the Deschutes River
Please remember: the Deschutes River can be challenging to wade. We highly recommend wearing felt boots with studs if you have them, and don’t forget your wading staff for added stability. We’re looking forward to a great day on the water with everyone!
