Alysia Littleleaf and her husband Elke are the only married indigenous fly fishing outfit in the United States. Elke is a descendant of Chief Joseph from the Nez Perc, and Alysia is a descendant of Sacagawea, and one of the last descendants from the Chinookan. Together, they own Littleleaf Guide Service, and guide clients on 39 miles of Native land and waters on the Warm Springs Reservation area on the famous Deschutes River.
It’s known that on the Deschutes River, anglers are only able to fish from shore. That readily depletes access for folks with physical limitations. Que Littleleaf Guide Service. Alysia is able to take folks with physical limitations with a doctor’s endorsement, and guarantees they will have an amazing day on the water.
Alysia began guiding clients 10 years ago and has never looked back. She believes in teaching and sharing the passion for fly fishing with other anglers, as well as the healing powers that the water holds. She is grounded on the water. The water is where she can let go of all that hinders her mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, and she takes pride in getting to share that with others.
Where are your home waters?
30+ river miles on the tribal side of Deschutes river (private property)..
Where do you spend most of your time fishing/guiding?
For now, I am solely guiding on my home waters of the Deschutes. In the near future, you can find me on the coastal rivers of Oregon.
What species of fish do you guide for?
Redband trout, rainbow trout, white mountain fish, steelhead, and although I do not actively target bull trout, we catch them.
When guiding clients, are you walk-in fishing, fishing shorelines, fishing from a drift boat/jet boat/prop boat?
A luxury Pavati drift boat. The reason I say ‘luxury’ is our drift boat has three doors on it, so no more hauling in over the bow of the boat! The diamond plated floors are fully balanced, so no more playing an unwilling game of teeter totter. We have very comfortable swivel adjustable Bentley seats with plenty of storage underneath.
Our drift boat seats four anglers, plus the guide. There are plenty of cup holders for beverages, a pizza box to keep food or gloves warm! Also in our section of the river, for about 16 river miles, we can fish people out of the boat with doctor endorsement.
We also provide the walk and wade option, which we call a shuttle tour. My outfit will shuttle you up & down the tribal side of the Deschutes river. Any given day we will cover 5+ river miles. In future we will also have a jet sled boat for larger tributaries.
How long have you been professionally guiding?
10 years
Who is your biggest inspiration or mentor?
Donna Teeny, she is a legend in the fly fishing world. In my green guiding days, I ended up guiding her and husband Jim Teeny. I was so nervous to have such legends with me, but there was no need. Donna took me under her wing and shared so much advice and Teeny gear!
What is your favorite part about guiding?
Staying grounded and connected to my way of life, like our ancestors have done since time immemorial is the number one reason. Secondly, is teaching and sharing this passion of fly fishing with our ever growing fishing family!
What was your first fishing experience? / When did you begin fly fishing?
At 7 years old, my father taught me how to bait my hook with a worm. I’d catch a fish every cast. Then, 13 years ago, I began to learn to fly fish from my husband Elke. I am fully self taught at this point.
Most embarrassing thing to happen while guiding a trip? (For you or a guest)
Hooking myself in the bottom lip! I could’ve had a lip piercing if I put a ring in it!
A client or two have definitely hooked me… I laughed so they took pictures and it only required one hospital visit, LOL.
Best day on the water with clients, tell us about it.
The most rewarding trips are the ones with people with limitations physically.
Our outfit offers drift tours. In the section we guide, it is prohibited to fish from the boat, unless you can no longer physically wade in the river. For this, you must have a doctor’s endorsement. We can adjust seats just for them. I will drive the shuttle and meet up at each run with my husband, Elke who operates our drift boat tours. Together, we will both guide, land, take pictures and amp up our clients.
To witness clients in their element, looks like a kid in a candy store. For many, they haven’t had the opportunity to fish in a long time on the Deschutes. So, when they find us and learn we are in a unique position to cater to them, it’s amazing. As a former caregiver this makes my heart beam inside. I love helping others.
Dream fishing trip?
Alaska! I am going this summer for sockeye salmon.
Utah. My grandmother’s original land.
British Columbia, Canada. The Fraser River, where my grandfather is from.
I’m a descendant of Sacagawea from my Shoshone lineage. So, I have to explore and fish over in the midwest.
What is it that draws you to fly fishing?
Fly fishing is my therapy. It is where I can go and let go of all that hinders me menatlly, emotionally, and spiritually. I pray, I give thanks, ask for forgiveness, and ask for guidance in life from my creator and my ancestors. I also keep learning fly fishing to add more knowledge to share with others.
Best and worst places you have guided clients?
Remember when I mentioned I had guided Donna Teeny? Well, there were a few fishing run’s that I just couldn’t access. I opted out, going to a place that was a challenge to get to. The poison ivy was in full bloom, I was so nervous, but made it work. (No one got ivy for the record).
What is a trick that you teach guests often?
That women can guide too. And, teaching you how to cover way more water fishing two flies.
What is one tip you would give someone when they are trying to find a fishing guide for a trip?
Seek out the underdogs. If possible, the new outfits need love just as much as the well known outfits. Also, they probably have more availability to book. And, try to find like minded people. It makes the adventure so much more rewarding.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a fishing guide?
Hang on, it’s a huge investment financially for a start-up. Boats and all the gear to operate. Commercial insurance. Guide license. Auto insurance.
Make sure you have a good secretary to take bookings and reservations. Answer the 10 million questions that come with this job.
A good bookkeeper, and never listen to anyone who tells you it’s not a real job.
Prepare for 9 to 12+ hour days. Guiding is not for the faint, you have to know the all the tributaries and hatches to land fish.
Educate yourself in conservation. Specifically on the threats we face, how to get involved.
Finally, leave politics off the river. All should be neutral to get full benefit of river therapy.
What is your favorite fly to use on the water, not necessarily the best, but your favorite? Also, what is your go-to guide fly?
My husband Elke’s custom tied flies are called Littleleaf creations, as well as the ones I tie. They are our go to favorites.
Favorite piece of gear you could not live without, and why?
My wading boots are the dark horse wading boots with the triple threat carbide studs. They grip all the steep embankments and slippery rocks. They come with interchangeable soles, switching for different tributaries. The boa system rocks for my slender feet!
Let’s talk about tippet: Fluoro or Mono? Why?
Mono for our tight areas and huge bows, fluoro for more open waters.
Do you prefer a specific rod manufacturer over others? Why?
Tough one… Echo is cost effective and durable. LTS is both durable lightweight rods casting an 8/9 weight felt like a 6 weight.
What about waders… What brand are you rocking, and why?
Orvis pro waders. They have 5 layers, good for both winter/summer fishing. That way you can pose with fish while on your knees without the pain. Extremely durable. Orvis has a good return policy as well.
What are you listening to on the way to the river?
Only with regular clients will we listen to music and jam out. The new blood is full of questions all the way to the river.
How can people connect with you?
Webpage: www.littleleafguides.com
Instagram: @littltleafguides
#littleleafguides #teamlittleleaf
Any parting thoughts you’d like us to add?
Our outfit has been advocating for our river. All life sustained in them, and our first foods that grow near the Deschutes river.
It is very crucial to give back to the place you recreate in, or you won’t have anything left for future generations to come.
How do you get involved? Simple! Pick up trash, volunteer, join programs planting trees, donate guided tours to raise funds for restoration projects. Share events on social media or via emails, even text messages or phone calls.
There has to be a balance in all we do to preserve mother nature. It is respecting the places we love to be when not in the comfort of our homes. To have something wild you have to give back. None would be possible without water. WATER IS LIFE.
