Northern Oregon Coast
Travel & Tackle Guide

Welcome to your Fly Water Travel trip guide. We’re excited to help you prepare for your upcoming adventure! Inside, you’ll find everything you need: your to-do list, travel logistics, destination notes, and a curated tackle guide tailored to your trip.

Getting Ready

We’ve created a quick checklist of essential tasks to make sure you’re fully prepared for the journey ahead. If questions come up or you need anything at all, just give us a call, we’re here to help every step of the way.

To-Do List:

✓  Arrange transportation to/from the Northern Oregon Coast (Tillamook area)

✓  Arrange accommodations

✓  Purchase Oregon fishing licenses

✓  Complete your online guest registration form

✓  Get travel cash

Northern Oregon Coast
Travel Guide

From how to get there and what documents you’ll need to tipping guidelines and destination details, this section covers the practical information to ensure smooth travels.

Getting to the area:
The Northern Oregon Coast is located approximately 80 miles northwest of Portland, Oregon. For those arriving by plane, please make flight reservations in and out of Portland, Oregon (PDX). From Portland most people will rent a car and drive to the coast (approximately 2 hours).

Arrival Day:
Guests should plan to arrive near Tillamook, Oregon the night before to overnight and
prepare to meet their guide the following morning.

Departure Day:
Following a full day of guided fishing, guests may depart the area for home or choose to overnight in the area before heading for home the following day.

Recommended Towns:
Guests have the option to stay in a variety of towns on the Northern Oregon Coast. We recommend Tillamook, but guests may also stay in Cannon Beach or Manzanita with a little extra drive-time to and from the rivers each day. There is a multitude of lodging options in these towns as well as vacation rentals, Airbnb’s, and VRBO’s available between Cannon Beach
and Tillamook.  Guests are welcome to stay anywhere in this area, as guests will coordinate a meeting time and place with their guide each day.

Tillamook:
Tillamook is the most central location to the fishing meeting points and the most affordable option. There are a handful of accommodation options and a small assortment of restaurants to choose from. Expect a maximum drive time of approximately 30 minutes when you stay here.

Tillamook Inn & Suites 503-842-7971

Cannon Beach:
A nice, oceanfront town with many accommodation options. This is the nicest option with many great restaurants to choose from. Expect a maximum drive time of approximately 1 hour when you stay here.

Inn at Cannon Beach 800-321-6304

Manzanita:
A quaint coastal city with good restaurants and hotels to choose from. Expect a maximum drive time of approximately 45 minutes when you stay here.

Inn at Manzanita 503-368-6754

Travel Cash:
As a guideline we recommend that guests travel with sufficient cash to cover guide gratuities, incidentals, etc.

Credit Cards:
Credit cards are excepted at most lodging accommodations and restaurants in the area.

Gratuities:
We recommend a gratuity of $120-$150 per day for your fishing guide paid in cash at the end of the trip. For 2 anglers $60 to $75 each per day is a good guideline.

Fishing Licenses: 
Fishing licenses are not included. Anglers will need to purchase an Oregon
fishing license and a “combined angling tag” tag prior to your trip. Short term (1-day & 3-day) licenses include the combined angling tag, while annual licenses require the additional purchase. Licenses can be purchased here.

Cell Coverage and Wi-Fi:  
Cell phones generally work anywhere on the coast, but may lose coverage on the remote sections of the rivers. Wi-Fi will likely be available at your chosen accommodations.

Climate:
Expect wet, rainy, and cold conditions when visiting the region and pack accordingly.

Laundry:
Availability of laundry services will depend on chosen accommodations.

Water:
Drinking water will be provided.

Beverages/Alcohol:
Water and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Guests are welcome to bring their own alcohol for the day, should they wish.

Emergency Medical Assistance:
The closest medical facility is in Tillamook, approximately 25 miles from Manzanita and 40 miles from Cannon Beach. Guests have the responsibility to disclose any special medical, physical, or dietary needs to the outfitter ahead of time.

Northern Oregon Coast
Tackle Guide

Here you’ll find everything you need to be ready on the water. You’ll find our preferred setups, favorite flies, recommended packing list, and notes on tackle available at the lodge.

Northern Oregon Coast Tackle Overview

The Northern Oregon coastal rivers can rapidly fluctuate from low & clear to a raging torrent and blow-out in a matter of one rainstorm. The rivers can also clear quickly, so those opting for a several day trip will likely see a variety of conditions and fair well. Due to this, we travel there prepared for all potential conditions. Our favorite rod setup for the Northern Oregon Coast is a 13’ 7-wt, although most 12 to 13+ foot 7 & 8-wt rods are perfectly suitable. A Skagit head is the most appropriate setup for winter steelheading, but having both a matching Skagit and Scandi line for whatever the conditions call for is a great idea. Equally, a collection of tips from lightest to heaviest can be extremely useful, from a poly steelhead leader to all weights of MOW sink tips.

Northern Oregon Coast Provided Equipment:
Outfitters can provide equipment as needed with advanced notice. An assortment of the most effective flies and leaders will be supplied for your day on the river. Guests are encouraged to bring their own equipment, sink tips, and favorite flies.

Northern Oregon Coast Skagit Setup

A Skagit setup is the staple for winter spey anglers, as they are used to turn over heavy tips and flies. RIO Skagit Max Launch heads are typically recommended for Spey rods over 13 feet while the RIO Skagit Max Power is recommended for Spey rods 13-feet and under. 

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Northern Oregon Coast Suggested Flies

Flies will be provided, but anglers are encouraged to bring their own favorite patterns. Intruders, bunny leeches, marabou tubes, and any larger profile fly that has movement are great. It a good idea to have a range of colors, bright to dark, in addition to having flies in various weights, as heavily weighted flies sink quickly in currents & deep pockets and lightly weighted flies glide through smooth tailouts & inside seams.

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Support Your Local Fly Shop

If you need assistance with assembling your gear for your upcoming travels, we encourage you to support your local fly shop. This curated list of tackle is handpicked for your destination by our experts and can serve as your shopping list to get your ready for your next adventure. Find your local Far Bank dealer.

Suggested Packing List

We understand packing for an adventure is not easy. On a trip like this it is very important to have everything you need and nothing you do not. As the climate is extremely changeable and a wide range of temperatures and conditions can be expected, we recommend layering clothes. Anglers should be prepared with thermal underwear, fleece/soft shell jacket, and a rain jacket. Synthetic fabrics are preferred to cotton. Dress at the lodges/camps is neat but casual.

Waders:
Boot-foot waders are excellent for winter fishing on the coast, but breathable stocking foot waders are also suitable.

Boots:
Felt soled or rubber soled wading boots with cleats are a great option.

Forceps:
We like the Dr. Slick scissor pliers for crimping barbs, releasing fish, and trimming flies

Clippers:
One line clipper

Wading Staff:
One wading staff and belt

Socks:
A couple pair of wool or synthetic socks to wear under your waders. We suggest wearing at least 2 pair of wool socks on cold days.

Base Layers:
One to two pairs of synthetic or merino wool long underwear (tops and bottoms) to wear beneath your waders. One mid-weight and one heavyweight. These can be worn alone or together depending on conditions.

Shirts:
A long sleeve fishing shirt.

Warm Layers:
At least two warm insulating layers. Down, synthetic, or fleece mid layers are good options. Avoid cotton. A down vest can be a great layering piece to add extra warmth in cold winter conditions.

Rain Jacket:
One high quality rain jacket.

Hats:
One fishing/baseball hat. One warm cap.

Gloves:
1 pair of fishing gloves and 1 pair of warm gloves or mittens are a great idea, along with hand warmers.

Lodge Shoes:
One pair of shoes for travel.

Neck Gaiter:
One facial sun protector or fleece neck warmer.

Sunglasses:
One pair of polarized sunglasses. It is great to have a lens cleaner and a soft cleaning cloth as well.

Sunscreen:
One bottle SPF 30+

Lip Balm:
One tube of SPF 30+ lip balm

Backpack:
One waterproof backpack or duffel for day gear in the boat.

Headlamp:
One small LED headlamp with batteries

Contact Kat Mueller

Kat grew up in a fishing-obsessed family and remembers only one vacation in her youth that wasn't centered around chasing fish. She has spent most of her adult life fishing across Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah, while working behind the scenes with top lodges and outfitters to help their guests get the most out of their time on the water. An accomplished creative, Kat’s photography and writing have been featured in The Drake and other notable publications. While she is well-versed in all forms of fresh and saltwater fly fishing, she is first and foremost a two-handed steelhead angler. Her experience includes countless weeks on the Olympic Peninsula, the Snake and Clearwater rivers, and many of British Columbia's fabled waters. Additionally, Kat is a skilled rower and fly tier, and holds certifications in Swiftwater Rescue and Wilderness First Aid.

Contact Kat