McKenzie River Inn
Fly-fishing the McKenzie River

Fly-fishing the McKenzie River

“Fly fishing is an angling method in which an artificial “fly” is used to catch fish. The fly is cast using a fly rod, reel, and specialized weighted line. Casting a nearly weightless fly or “lure” requires casting techniques significantly different from other forms of casting. Fly fishermen use hand tied flies that resemble natural invertebrates, baitfish, other food organisms, or “lures” to provoke the fish to strike” (wikipedia).

fly fishing

Guided Fly Fishing courses for beginners and improving fly fishing anglers.

Novice Fly Fishing Angler Courses
This is an introduction to the wonderful art of fly-fishing. We cover the basics to understand the biological process from the aquatic flies to the trout that eats them, introducing materials to casting your first fly. We will supply the equipment, provide fly casting instruction and have you wading out in the river and from a driftboat to fish.

Call now: 541 658 2000 or 503 962 0389

Testimonials

We had a wonderful weekend and can’t wait to go out on the boat fishing again. Thanks, Patricia and Walt Lucek 

Bert, What a wonderful adventure this past Sunday and the lunch was tops!  I really do plan to take your guide course next year and would like to know more about the fall schedule.  Also, Peggy (spouse) is leaving for Denmark this Friday and I would like to know if you would like her to bring back something sweet that only comes from Denmark.  This is my way of saying a special thank you for you being you! (Rudy) Nicolas Brown 
Hi Bert, Our time along the McKenzie was a highlight of our Oregon adventure. Thanks for making our fly-fishing experience so much fun. Enjoyed your music & stories. I’ll be looking for that LGBT fly next time we are out your way. Keep up the good work that you do! We’ll see you again! Lu-Ann and Leslie. 
Bert, Ready enjoyed our fishing on 9/23/18 attached is a photo I promised.  Also I would like 5 each of your Gaddis Green’s, Red Bastard (I couldn’t recall the other name) and if you have that pattern for a Golden Stone I would like 5 of these.  I will be ordering more in the future, have a great day. Bill Campbell, 
Hi Bert, Leslie and I are really missing the McKenzie. Hiking, fishing, a little entertainment on the patio, talking about fishing, it was all good! Thanks again for a great all around McKenzie river experience. Really enjoyed your stories and music and appreciated all of your recommendations. We’re not sure when we’ll be back but we’ll be back! Take care, Lu-Ann  
Hi Bert, Thanks again for the great float trip on Friday!  
Tom Heimburger, 
Bill and I really enjoyed our stay in the Kingfisher cabin. You have a beautiful property and we look forward to returning next year. We left an envelope at the door if your shed with a little something inside as a token of our appreciation for showing Bill how to fly fish. Thanks again for everything. Bill and Kerry, 
Hi Bert,   Thank you. We had a great time at the McKenzie River Inn and on board your raft. Irma & Bob and the boys left this morning, back to The Netherlands.  I know they really enjoyed their stay at the Inn. It was a perfect way to end a vacation and spend some time with them.   Thanks again.   Groetjes.   Lisette, 
The trip on Sunday was FANTASTIC!!!!!! Thank you Bert! Kyda Dodson
 I wish to thank Bert for the great fishing trip the other night.  It was a last minute decision to see if I could find someone that take my wife and I on a short evening float so we could fish the evening hatch.  Bert more than exceeded my expectations.   As a younger man, I had owned a wooden McKenzie drift boat like Bert’s, but due to health problems I could no longer row and wading was out of the question.  I really wanted to have that experience again. Bert’s concern for safety and meeting my special needs was greatly appreciated.  His casting instruction and knowledge of the aquatic entomology was also very helpful.  At the end of the day as the sun started to set he anchored the boat just off shore from their bed and breakfast as we cast to the rising fish to numerous to count.  A perfect end to the perfect day. We will be booking another trip this fall.   Dr. Jeffrey and Monita Cheever  Newport Oregon 
Bert and children were so much fun to meet and spend time with. He is an absolute 1st rate guide and oarsman, we had a top notch fishing trip – 3 to be exact. We highly recommend the Inn, his guide service and knowledge and his casting lessons (I’ll work on my upper body use, Bert) and hope to visit next year again!!!!
Helen and John Devroes, Nebraska  
If you never fly fished before go with Bert’s Guide Service. We can’t believe we were fishing from a boat after 20 minutes of instruction and caught our first trout a couple of hours later. Samantha & Gerald P., Portland (Maine) 
Really enjoyed Bert as our fishing guide. He is a naturalist and also works for the McKenzie River Inn. We had the boat to ourselves and had all our questions answered and received limitless information about the scenic beauty and wildlife of the McKenzie Valley. Were a bit stumped to find out our cell phone had no service to call the guide, so we had to leave a phone number on the office door for us to call. We went to the the boat area, asked around and then returned to the main lodge to find Bert sitting on the porch, now waiting for us! Such an informed, casual gentleman, who put us at ease right away. Saw Ospreys and their nests, River Otters on a log when we passed by, Bald Eagles, Beavers and caught nine fish and learned the water was only 2-4 feet deep! Richard, my husband, fly fishes for over twenty years, but learned so much more about fishing, casting technique and entomology from Bert that we are convinced to come back to Oregon to fish with him again. A wonderful, customized wooden driftboat and a fishing trip on a beautiful day we won’t forget! Thanks Bert, you’re the best! Richard and Jill Combrie, Florida. 
Had a fabulous day (although a tad cold!)on the McKenzie River rafting with Bert de Klerk of Bert’s Guide Service at the McKenzie River Inn Bed & Breakfast and Cabins Thank you Bert for a great trip! We can’t wait to do a longer one next year!!!!!! Kyda Dodson, Oregon 
Hi all, just an FYI..Bill and I spent two very nice nights at McKenzie River B&B (link on this site) and fished the McKenzie with Bert. Beautiful days, nice trip down the McKenzie. Caught a native and a planted trout, missed more, missed a nice steelhead. Just trying to learn this river fishing thing! Bert was a great guide, and very knowledgable. Try it out if you’re looking for a fabulous getaway! Anne and Bill Jackson, Oregon  “Fishing with Bert was the best! A patient teacher, enthusiastic Oregonian and charming person. We’ll fish with you again next year!” Jeannie and Ralph Vidal Avila Beach, California.            “Fantastic!-Absolute spellbinding river to fish! Bert, you are a master guide- we’ll be back for the steelhead that got away!”               Kim and John Norton             Phoenix, Arizona 
    “Thank you for a wonderful day on the river. Though the river was running high you kept working on getting me into all the right holes. I said dry fly, and you kept the spirit alive with the hope of getting that fish on! I look forward to floating and fishing with you again, thanks for all the local knowledge and the safe adventure down the McKenzie”.

David Berkshire, Portland Oregon
                                           “Our fishing trip with Bert was the highlight of our vacation”        Diana & Rick Hamilton, Santa Barbara California      “Bert conducted us on a magnificent ride down the McKenzie     and is a great instructor, it made the fishing great”       Erica Atkisson and Paul Thompson, Eugene Oregon    “This was our first time on the McKenzie and our first fly-fishing experience and Bert made it so relaxing and enjoyable!”   Perry and Sue Webb, Salem Oregon     “Thanks Bert, for an outstanding fishing trip, very professional!”                                                              Brett S., Idaho      “I was scared & excited at the same time! Haven’t been on a boat in years. Bert handled the water, like it was an old friend. Thanks Bert for the great adventure! I won’t soon forget it.”   James H., Veneta, Oregon            “The river boat trip with Bert was excellent-safe, dry and an outstanding narrative of the local history and natural beauty and wildlife”.                                                                             Emilie and Jeanne                                                                             Atlanta, Georgia.                                                      “Bert- We had a GREAT time and wish we could have stayed with you longer!!! I needed more fish! We even discussed extending our trip and coming back down for a couple of days since this week is not that busy here at home but alas – we are back in NC. You were a wonderful guide!”. Haven M., Wilmington, NC.      “Bert, thanks for the great pics, great scenery, great boat, great guide. Nice meeting you, it was the best part of our trip.  Keep me informed on fishing, rafting adventures. John B. WB, NC.  
                                                 Hey Bert.  The float was great. My first drift boat experience and I got to go in a 1946 McKenzie River Drift Boat. Very cool. You are an expert at the oars. Enjoyed the whole experience. Would have liked to land that red side, but that is fishing.  Fishing with you was very pleasant. Loved being on the water. Will definitely  recommend you.  Thanks again. Marc & Linda Alexander, Arizona
“Thanks for a very pleasant trip on the McKenzie River.  
Bert, your guide fishing was excellent”.   
Noel and Sue W. Brisbane, Australia
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