Please join us for our annual Christmas party at the shop on December 19th from 4-830ish.
Food, beverage, cheer and last minute gift specials will be served up at the shop. Please stop by and let us say thanks to you for your patronage over the years.
CD
The newly formed Oregon Hatchery Research Center Board is meeting this coming Monday, December 9th from 9am-3pm at the South Willamette Watershed District Office (7118 NE Vandenberg Avenue Corvallis, OR 97330-9446). The meeting is open to the public, so anyone who is interested should drop in.
The board is a fairly new entity with oversight over the strategy and budget of the Oregon Hatchery Research Center.
The goal of the Oregon Hatchery Research Center (OHRC) is to answer scientific questions related to fish recovery and hatchery programs, including the differences that may exist between wild and hatchery fish, and how to better manage those differences.
Information gained at the Research Center will help answer questions vital to the success of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds and implementation of the Native Fish Conservation Policy.
Native fish advocates on the board include Jim Lichatowich, Peter Tronquet, and Kyle Smith. You can find a full list of the folks on the board here.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking public comment on a proposal to eliminate hatchery steelhead plants as early as next year in three Lower Columbia River tributaries (EF Lewis, Green/NF Toutle and Wind Rivers) to support the recovery of wild fish. These three watersheds would join the Sol Duc River as Washington State Wild Steelhead Gene Banks.
The elimination of hatchery plantings in these three watersheds is the recommendation of three stakeholder groups convened by WDFW over the past two years. Gene Banks are part of actions endorsed by the state of Washington’s 2008 Statewide Steelhead Management Plan and were mandated by National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to protect wild steelhead in the Lower Columbia.
Wild Steelhead Gene Bank designation does not close a watershed to angling, but does create restrictions placing the priority on the health of the wild populations, not angling opportunity. Establishing Gene Banks would be a solid first step toward limiting the negative impacts of hatchery fish on threatened wild populations in the Lower Columbia.
Comments and suggestions collected during this public process will eventually be submitted to the National Marine Fisheries Service who oversee the recovery of threatened salmon and steelhead populations.
We ask that you let WDFW and NMFS know that you support management actions that implement the best-available science and recover threatened wild steelhead populations in Washington. Read and alter the comments below as you wish, but please make your voice heard in support of protections for wild steelhead.
Fill out a quick form here to let your voice be heard. It takes less then one minute.
With the crew in last week for Capt. Nate’s Wedding extravaganza, we had the opportunity to spend some time with my old fishing buds from the Northwest and do a little recreating on the Ohio watersheds, looking for Lake Erie Steelhead. If you see the photo attached, it’s old RR holding a chromed out little guy caught right in the lake, stripping a clouser minnow at the mouth of the Rocky River from our little Boston Whaler.
Now, it’s no secret that I haven’t been thrilled about my move back to the Midwest. I’ve been moping around Ohio, mourning over what I’d lost. Hell, I’ve even taken up birdwatching to fill the void. But it turns out, I’ve been looking at this all wrong.
Yes, comparing Ohio steelheading to Oregon steelheading sucks. A couple years back, I was fishing with some of the best anglers I’d ever met, for native, marine-fueled fish in wild rainforests. So yeah, resentfully wandering around Cleveland with my brother, who didn’t really like steelhead anyway, wasn’t a recipe for success.
I’ve been living with this crazy existential crisis for months. But two nights ago I had a huge breakthrough.
My local TU chapter had invited Jerry Darkes to speak. Jerry had just written a new book called Fly Fishing the Inland Oceans. Nate had picked it up and told me I had to read it. I told him I was busy cataloging species that came to my birdfeeder, and couldn’t be bothered.
But then I saw Jerry speak.
First of all — if you think it’s all about steelhead you’re wrong. This book is really about the amazing spectrum of species and fishing styles available in my region. I considered all the uncharted, or rarely visited corners of the Great Lakes, and you start to look at the fishery from the perspective of saltwater fishing, rather than limiting the comparison to steelheading opportunities, and all of the sudden I was back in the game.
His slide deck featured photos of big native lake trout, caught the day before out of a boat at the bar of the Niagara River, where it drains into Lake Ontario. I was hooked.
If you live in the middle of the country, you need to buy this book. You need to hear Jerry talk. I can’t thank him enough for firing me back up.
-MS
Tibor crafts absolutely fantastic fly reels, but did you know that they make other nifty gear of the highest quality that would make for a great gift too?
Christmas, birthday, retirement or just another day driving to the river or the Fly Shop is a perfect occasion to purchase or gift a Tibor Key chain. Come to think about it, I’m not quite sure whether to call it a key chain, key holder device, or what, but it is sleek and strong and works like a champ.
The quick release slide will (yes indeed) release the split ring at one end of the key holder, so you can keep one or a few keys on one end and more keys on the other in case you want to be able to separate the two on a moment’s notice.
These key chains are sure to meet with a smile for anyone who lives in the Willamette Valley or who has ever or will ever fish the world famous McKenzie River. These elegant key chains are right-sized; machined of high grade aluminum; offer a positive Quick release for keys at one end; and show a Rainbow Trout on one side and McKenzie River on the other.
Anodized Black or Clean Goldish metallic finish options are sure to please any fly angler, especially those with close ties to the McKenzie River.
Sure, you can still buy a Tibor Fly reel for yourself or that fly angler you love, but you can also start modest with the Keychain that celebrates our wild native rainbow and the McKenzie River. the Keychain is packaged in a very nice Robin Hood Green, velvetish pouch as shown and offered in the two color phases photographed here.
Enjoy! And yes, we have a huge range of unique and exclusive Christmas Gifts in the Shop now, for every price range, so I invite you to drop by, call, or email if we may offer suggestions for that fly angler in your life.
CD
I have just returned from traveling to Cedar Lodge, Chris and Shauna’s new home and business on the South Island of New Zealand. I was greeted by beautiful weather, warm accommodations and large trout right out front of the lodge. Each day I found myself staring out at the mountains that surround the lodge in the stunning Makarora valley.
I arrived about 10 days before the first guests and our main focus was preparing the lodge for their arrival. We spent the first few days rebuilding and painting the 20 year old deck. Soon we were ready for a break headed out for an afternoon fish.
My first cast in the Southern hemisphere I landed this 4 pound brown trout. The rest of the day we spotted and landed several rainbows from 2-4 pounds.
For the next week we spent most mornings working on projects around the lodge and then spending our afternoons hiking around a few of the many rivers in the area. We fished mostly large Parachute Adams and Royal Wulffs with or without a
small dropper. Rods of choice were the Sage One 590 and the new Method 590, which was nice when the wind picked up.
A few days before my departure the chopper showed up! We quickly got our gear and jumped in for an afternoon trip. I had never been in a helicopter so the ride and views blew me away. The fishing in the remote systems was more of the same, stunning rainbows and browns up to 5 pounds, willing to crush the well presented fly.
All said it was an amazing adventure and I can’t wait to go back.
BF
Floated the middle fork below Dexter with my buddy Sean, his dad, and uncle, who
were in town for the holiday. Swinging a black Silvenator on a type 6 sink tip
landed these two fish. We also caught several nice cutthroats and whitefish
nymphing with the new Jigged Possies we have at the shop.
Get out there now
before the weather turns for the worse.
BF
With four Aussie’s and two Brit’s in the lodge at the moment we will be serving fish for dinner. Most likely there will be no discussion of Thanksgiving. Not a worry though as the BBQ has been out the past few nights! A new way to experience the holidays is underway, sunscreen on Thanksgiving anyone?
Had a great day out on the water yesterday, despite an easterly breeze we found the browns getting closer to the banks. Cicada’s were chirping in the bush as it warmed up considerably. Rain is scheduled for Saturday to give the rivers a little flush and reset, then back to Summer.
CD
November 22, 2013
Lane County Marine Patrol and the Oregon State Marine Board urge boaters who are hunting and fishing this time of year, to use extreme caution on the Willamette River at the Harrisburg Railroad Bridges near River Mile 163.
Lane County Marine Patrol recommends taking out at Hayes Boat Landing on Marshall Island, upstream of the bridges. As of today, only five feet of clearance exists between the bridges and the water; many types of watercraft will not be able to safely pass underneath. Temporary work bridges have a very low clearance, and as water levels fluctuate, can create a dangerous and/or impassable situation for boaters.
Hamilton Construction will install improved lighting to ensure that the construction zone is clearly visible both upstream and downstream during times of restricted visibility. They will also create warning signs, which will be posted at area boat ramps above and below the construction site.
Additionally, Hamilton Construction will be installing a river gauge at the bridge so that boaters already on the water can estimate the clearance before entering the main channel beneath the bridges.
From blog reader Jim Barfield in Grants Pass:
An article a couple of days ago in the Medford Mail Tribune by Mark Freeman, their outdoor reporter, states that a group of water-skiers have petitioned the State Marine Board to raise the speed limit on Applegate Lake above the current 10 mile per hour limit to allow water-skiing and personal watercraft. This is one of the few lakes in our region where you do not have to deal with the noise, wakes and pollution of boats going over 10 mph. It is also an outstanding trout, steelhead, salmon and warm water species fishery.
I would greatly appreciate it if you could bring this proposal to the attention of your blog readers and customers.There will be a public meeting at the Medford library, 205 S. Central ave. at 7 PM on December 16th. Letters opposing this proposal can be sent to June LeTarte, Rules Coordinator, 435 Commercial St. NE, Salem, 97301 and emails to osmb.rulemaking@state.or.us.
Cedar Lodge is a well-established New Zealand fly fishing lodge. When my wife and I purchased it in May of this year we were very confident in it’s fishing program and facilities. We knew of Cedar’s unique location, helicopter and recently upgraded guest rooms.
Dick and Robyn Fraser started the business in the late 70s in a very much rural part of the South Island. Until 1964 the road from Wanaka to the West coast (SH6) wasn’t even complete. The early stages of the lodge were based off of Dick’s fixed wing plane hobby and a “batch” (cabin) near some great water. The first rendition of the lodge was built in a weekend or two by Dick and his pals. That early structure of the lodge still stands and has been added to over the years to become the owner’s quarters (more on that later).
We knew we wanted to update and upgrade Cedar this spring and had about two weeks to get after it before guests arrived. Obviously the focus had to be on the newer lodge and property surrounding. But the list was long and of course we are still working and creating new lists as we go. Plans included, a new deck, new paint, all new furniture/furnishings for the lounge and dining area, new outside dining area, painting the “old lodge” or my families new home for the season, garden boxes, new kitchen in the old lodge, and much more. All this sounds doable and some of it got done in a timely fashion with the help of Brian Gustafson (worlds greatest traveling painter) and Paul Wright (Cedar’s head guide and gardener) and Bryson Fairlamb (Caddis fly team leader) but I have come to realize that nothing is easy and everything is expensive when you are as rural as Cedar Lodge. I have new found respect for the New Zealander who has finds a way to create and thrive on building things from “what’s on hand”. When sourcing is needed, being extremely organized for your one trip into “town” is vital. Having excellent relationships with your neighbors in the valley, your vendors, couriers and more are cursory to living and working in the “wop wops”.
Brian and I arrived first and began painting. Three and a half days later we began to unpack the new lodge furniture and started planning the new deck. Paul had already started to landscape around the dining are we had built in June and it just needed some finishing touches provide by neighbor Willy Aspenal in the form of giant rocks delivered with his tractor.
Brian is a builder at home but didn’t have his table saw in his luggage so we borrowed our cleaner Corrine’s. She also had a couple quality drills that we could not have done without. We had a drop saw in the hanger so it was just a matter of figuring out how much wood to buy. I have to give Brian kudos on his metric measurements. It was pretty funny to watch he and I hash out square meters for a deck. In the end we overcame our Imperial Measuring tendencies and Brian got it spot on in terms of quantities.
Next was sanding and painting lodge deck railings, doors, kids tree house and touch up where necessary.
Meanwhile back at our new house (the old lodge) I am coping with our water system. A basic “bore” system with pumps and a very rudimentary filter. The system is simple and the water table is extremely high, currently we have water at about 20 feet down the bore. But during this past winter leaves, and debris have found there way down through the bore and the whole system needed to be cleaned out and lined with a stainless tube. Neighbor Ferg is an engineer and the valley’s water system expert. He went and borrowed the local volunteer fire brigade’s truck. We pumped out the bore re-fastened pipes and ran the pump continuously for hours. A few days later the water came right.
It’s getting close to arrival date for your first guest now and my family is arriving on the 12th of November. Brian, Bryson and Paul are helping out on minor projects in the morning and fishing in the afternoon.
On the afternoon of the 15th our first guest arrived. We were up and running! The week went really well with very nice weather and incredibly kind and appreciative guests.
Week two is underway and we continue to settle into rural lodge ownership. There is always something to fix, update and improve on the property. I would love to say the transition from our home in Eugene has been seamless and easy but the fact is we have had our challenges. Starting a new, or taking over an existing business has it’s really satisfying days as well as it’s difficult ones.
Fishing has been good with rivers in great shape. We have been able to give quite a few rivers a look, and each day out we have seen improvements in terms of fish numbers. October was one of the wettest months on record for the area and the rivers have taken a bit of a hammering. I am hoping good weather is in store for us this early season and fishing continues to improve.
More updates to follow.
CD
This past May we purchased Cedar Lodge. On October 31st I packed my gear and headed south for the Winter. Cedar Lodge is on the South Island of New Zealand and we offer all inclusive heli fly out fishing to amazing rivers with big trout. The family joined me on November 12th and our first guests arrived the 15th. It’s been a little nuts lately with numerous projects, guiding, hosting and adapting to the “rural” lifestyle. I have been a bit out of touch on the blog but plan to fix that in the near term. Here are some photos from the last few weeks. I will give a full update on the goings on, upgrades, building projects, fishing, flies etc on Monday. Have a great weekend.
Flying in to Queenstown, it’s been a big snow year. It rained and snowed 25 days in October for much of the South Island. Plenty of water for a good summer of fishing.
My new drive from the grocery store, it never get’s old!
A stop at a local fruit and veggie stand/farm for fresh lodge food, the weather has been amazing in November.
Our new front yard!
Rainbows near the lodge.
Not a bad ride to work.
Happy guests is what it’s all about!
CD
Tony shows how to tie a quick and high floating Elk Hair Caddis. This simply fly can be tied in numerous colors and fishes throughout the season. Here are a few suggestions for our local waters.
Jan-March Black Foam Body Elk Hair Caddis #16-18
March-July Brown Foam Body Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, Green Foam Body Elk Hair Caddis #8-12
July-August Yellow Foam Body Elk Hair Caddis #12-18
August-October Tan Foam Body Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, Orange Foam Body Elk Hair Caddis #8-16
Foam Body Elk Hair Caddis
Thread: Veevus 10/0
Hook: TMC 100, sizes 10-18
Rib: 4x Mono
Body: Hareline Thin Fly Foam—Yellow
Hackle: Brown or Ginger Dry Fly Hackle
Wing: CDC or Elk Hair
In case you are wondering, yes bulk of the fall chinook run has yet to enter the Elk, Sixes and Chetco rivers so prospects are good if you are one of the crazies who pursue these magnificent fish. A commercial fisherman we know, recently caught a chinook about 3 miles off the Elk, with a fly in it. Yes, a chartreuse Comet no less. He has caught 2 other kings with single hooks or spinners that they encountered in the Elk or Sixes, and the fish must have just headed back out to sea. So yes, sometimes fish enter the rivers for good and some just drift in and then go back out again, a few carrying fish hooks acquired in the estuary. If you are planning to head south, we will have a fresh supply of salmon flies this Thursday afternoon, but you might want to call and reserve a few if you need them. Won’t last long, we’re guessing. Fly lines too might merit a day or so thought in case we need to get the line you need for the weekend, so let us know ASAP and we’ll get you covered with all the tackle you’ll need to make for the perfect salmon fishing weekend. JN
Purple has become one of the most successful trout colors in the west of late. Starting with the Purple Haze in the Rockies and the Purple Rooster locally we have had great luck with purple bodied flies. Maybe the steelhead and trout have been talking? In this video Tony demonstrates how to tie his Ice Dub Purple Rubber Legged Stimulator.
Tony’s Purple Stimulator
Thread: Black 10/0 Veevus
Hook: TMC 200R or 2312, Size 2-20
Tail: Cow Elk Hair
Rib: Small Silver Ultra wire
Body: Purple Ice Dub
Body Hackle: Brown Dry Fly Hackle
Wing: Cow Elk
Hackle: Grizzly Dry Fly Hackle
Thorax: Olive Ice Dub
Legs: Olive/Green Flake Barred Crazy Legs
