Pete Field - Guide
Pete Field is a longtime Oregon steelhead guide and the founder of Deschutes River Guides. Raised in Corvallis, Pete grew up surrounded by both summer and winter steelhead water, and that early exposure shaped a lifelong passion for chasing chrome with a fly rod.
While attending Oregon State University, Pete spent as much time on the river as he did in the classroom. In 1988, he hooked his first steelhead on the Deschutes on a fly — a moment that helped set the course for everything that followed. In 1998, he founded Deschutes River Guides and has been helping anglers fish classic steelhead water ever since.
Why Fish with Pete Field
Pete is known for his steady, thoughtful teaching style and a deep understanding of classic steelhead water. He genuinely enjoys helping anglers improve, especially with spey casting and swung-fly techniques, and he has a knack for matching people to water that fits their comfort level while still fishing productive runs.
- Founder of Deschutes River Guides (est. 1998)
- Longtime Oregon steelhead guide with Deschutes and coast experience
- Strong focus on spey casting and swung-fly tactics
- Patient instruction for a wide range of skill levels
- Trips tailored to conditions and angler goals
Summer Steelhead on the Lower Deschutes
Pete’s summer steelhead program centers on the lower Deschutes, where jet boat access from the mouth opens up the legendary lower river runs. These July through November trips are built around classic Deschutes steelhead fishing — long, even-speed runs, cold tailwater flows, and prime swung-fly water.
The lower Deschutes is one of the best places in the West to fish dry lines, skaters, and sink tips for summer steelhead, and Pete has spent decades learning how each run fishes under different conditions. If you want to experience iconic swing water with a guide who knows it deeply, this is his wheelhouse.
Winter Steelhead on the Oregon Coast
When winter arrives, Pete shifts to Oregon Coast steelhead. He grew up fishing winter steelhead on the Alsea and Siletz, and in more recent decades his winter focus has centered around Astoria and nearby systems, including the Nestucca, Nehalem, and Tillamook-area rivers.
Winter trips can be tailored to conditions and angler preference, whether that means swinging flies in smaller water or indicator fishing from a drift boat when river levels call for it. Pete keeps the day flexible and focused on fishing the right water the right way.
Teaching, Spey Skills, and River Fit
One thing anglers appreciate about Pete is how well he teaches. He is especially passionate about helping people improve their spey casting and learn the rhythm of a good swing. Just as important, he works to put anglers on water that fits their casting comfort, wading ability, and style of fishing.
That approach makes his trips a great fit for both first-time steelheaders and experienced swung-fly anglers looking to sharpen technique on proven water.
Book with Pete Field
Deschutes River Guides
Phone: 503-539-0587
Email: lowerdeschutesriver@gmail.com
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Instagram: @deschutesriverguides
From lower Deschutes summer steelhead to winter coast rivers, Pete Field offers a classic Oregon steelhead guide experience built around patience, teaching, and fishing water that fits the angler.