A Helfrich Outfitter

I recently took a trip with Aaron on the Wild and Scenic Rogue River Canyon in southern Oregon. It was a three day trip, which included stays at the Paradise Lodge and Cougar Lane
in Agness. I have to say, it was the best float/​fish/​hunt trip I have ever been on, and I have done a lot of fishing with many knowledgable guides. We harvested a fine 3 point about 10 minutes into the trip, which was very exciting right off the bat. How do you follow that up? Well, in the next three days, I caught between 80 to 100 half pounder steelhead on a 3 weight rod, which was more fun than anything I’ve ever done!
Aaron Helfrich is a very experienced river guide, a great guy to hang out with for 3 days,(this
is very important on a 3 day trip!) and knows everything there is to know about fly fishing for
steelhead and trout on all Oregon rivers, and on the Middle Fork Salmon in Idaho. If you are reading this, I have one thing to say… Just do it!

We booked a half day fishing trip with Aaron over 4^th of July weekend, but he was busy, so we got Tony (Aaron’s brother) as our guide. Tony was just as great. This is my first time river fishing and Tony was a very good instructor. We had two lines going, my SO had the fly fishing line going, and really enjoyed it. We caught several small fish and released it back, but it was still a lot of fun. A very excellent time spent on the McKenzie River. Thanks Tony for the awesome experience.

Nate and Clovis were amazing guides. I have been on many rafting trips on a number of different rivers, and they were the most fun, and also quite knowledgeable about the scenery, the area, the history of the area, and the wildlife (Clovis might be half Hawk the way he was spotting birds, and seeing a real Bald Eagle was a real treat). Not to mention, great stories!
We had a really amazing trip, and plan to join them on other trips in the area.
I cannot think of any other way to phrase it than, «GO!».

what an amazing day our family had rafting on the mckenzie river! this was our first time with our 4 year old and the guides were beyond amazing with her (she was so excited until a splash of water came into the raft). our family has only rafted with jonnie helfrich… we trust them and they truly know how to read the water to keep you safe but also offer an awesome experience for the entire family. our 13 and 10 year old braved floating along the raft during swimming opportunity, us adults stayed in boat this time; though on two previous trips I had a blast river rock running. if you are looking for a wild time for yourself or with a group no need to hesitate call a helfrich outfitters for a great half or full day trip! you will love the adventure.

We reserved a half day trip for 6 of us (3 adults and 3 kids ages 4, 9, 11) with only 3 days notice. The company did a good job, and gave us snacks half-​way through (light chips, apple, water & juice). Our male guide was in the Helfrich family and was subtly training our female guide as she was new to the McKenzie. Both guides were capable, polite, playful, and had a great sense of humor. The team (2 boats + 3 guides) worked together well. They helped us get a few of our own picture moments. Highly recommend.

Five months early, we reserved our 3 generation, group half day rafting trip with Jonnie at Helfriech Rafting. At this time we pre-​paid about a ¹⁄₃ of the cost as a deposit to secure the two rafts needed for our family. We paid the final, total amount roughly two weeks before our family vacation and rafting trip. We thought everything was set!
Less than 48 hours before the rafting trip (and while we were traveling to our vacation house) we get an email stating that the rafting trip time shall be changed, so the company could «accommodate» some others at a convention in Eugene. This change however would then include a lunch since our family would now be on the river over the lunch hour.
We said okay, understanding that the company had an opportunity to make some more money on that day, and we were fine with that. In addition, one of our adult family members was unable to make it rafting at the last minute. Accepting their changing of the timing, and knowing one of our family members couldn’t make it– we asked about using that members money’s towards gratuity or perhaps a refund.
We were told that «technically, it was too late» and that «she would use part of the money towards the chicken for lunch and then divide the rest for the guides». Interesting. now we are paying for the chicken, which was offered because SHE changed our 5 month early pre-​planned and pre-​paid for trip…
We were traveling, had limited internet service, and agreed it was too late, we did not respond.
So on rafting day, our 3 generations arrived at the newly scheduled time, to find that our pre-​paid group rafting trip had FOUR MORE ADULTS added to the trip!!! Understandably, ONE was a river-​guide-​in training, who needed river hours to become an independent guide. However the other 3 were a family, and were fit onto one of our boats. This was frustrating after the change because we assumed we were booking two rafts for a family-​only group trip. In addition, those other three family members that joined us made their reservations THE DAY BEFORE the trip! We received NO notice of this addition. NO phone call, NO email, NO message on a machine…
Lastly, since there were sooooooo many adults were in the rafts with the added four, there are no full face photos of our grandson’s very first rafting trip which STINKS!
The guides on the raft? GREAT, and FUN. The ‘planning’ and business side? Not so great. The lunch you ask? Greasy, fatty, take out chicken (some people got one small piece), a small bag of chips, and a slice of store purchased cake?
We love to support small and local businesses, but as we spend a decent amount of money as a family (specifically a grandma and grandpa planning and paying for this event) we are disappointed to feel shuffled around. BE AWARE and FORE WARNED if they change your plans to «accommodate others» it doesn’t seem to matter how early YOU make YOUR plans…
VERY DISAPPOINTED…

I went on a rafting trip with Jonnie Helfrich as my guide and had a great experience. The river is fabulous. Just the right mix of gentle river and crazy whitewater. This is my favorite way to experience the McKenzie River. My other favorite is the Waterfall Loop Trail — a 3 mile section that includes Sahalie and Koosah Falls.
Best time to raft is late Spring through early Fall. She provides splash jackets.