Malheur Field Station: “It’s for the Birds!”

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Lou Verdugo

Kirk Station 1

The Malheur Field Station was my next stop after a great trip on the Deschutes last week. I was not the greatest advocate of bird watching prior to visiting the Malheur Field Station. Frankly, it was a bunch of buildings off to my left, in the middle of the Northern Great Basin on the way to Steen Mountain. I had the opportunity to go out on a serious bird watching event with some friends from the Willamette Valley. I figured with guiding and being outdoors more than most, it might be nice to increase an understanding of these feathered things.

The Malheur Field Station is a nonprofit education and research center dedicated to lifelong learning in and about the northern Great Basin region. This post is a bit of a stretch about angling but there will be a connection!
Clear skies greeted us each day and some serious Eastern Oregon sunsets made the days even more spectacular.

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Our host for one day was Duncan Evered. Duncan has been at the Field Station for over 16 years. He is a very distinguished ornithologist. We took the opportunity to hire Duncan for a half day excursion around the Malheur Refuge. With Duncan, I learned a great deal about migratory birds and how the Malheur Refuge is a key stop during the migratory season. During our stay at the Station the group logged over 60 different species of birds.

Red Rouge 2

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Another key individual at the Field Station is Lyla Messick (check out the link for a great video) a well known artist for her paintings of the Steens and the surrounding area. Both Lyla and Duncan are key contributors in making the Field Station operational.

From an angling perspective, the Field Station offers lodging! The Rates are very reasonable and it’s an easy 45 minute drive to the Blitzen River and even shorter to Krumbo Reservoir. The lodging provided clean rooms, fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning, and living room. I figure it’s a better deal than fighting the mosquitoes at the campgrounds.

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For those who may be interested, my favorite bird was the fellow below, the Blacked Capped Night Heron. This dude has an evil eye, and for us fly tyers, yep, those two long head feathers made me pause, but, just for a moment?

Black Capped Night Herron

Like most outdoor excursions, it’s the people who make the memories. This trip was great, not only in the learning about the birds, Malheur Field Station, but the people I met, traveled with, and watched something we take for granted everywhere…..the birds!

Kirk Station 2

Posted in Central Oregon Fishing Report, Eastern Oregon, Fly Fishing Travel, Oregon Conservation News | Leave a comment

Kryptonite Spanker Silver and Chinook Fly Tying Instruction Video

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Jay Nicholas shows how to tie this simple very effective fly that is customarily fished in Alaska and is thought of principally as a Silver salmon fly, but this fly has been effective fished for kings and Chum salmon here in Oregon too, so consider it an all-around salmon fly, if you would be so kind.

The Fly is often sold and fished in large sizes like 1/0 and 2 but here in the Lower 48 it shines in sizes 4 & 6 and in Alaska it is more effective in the smaller sizes when silvers are feeling pressured.

Tie these sparkly salmon flies with or without dumbbell eyes depending on how deep you want your fly to fish.

Fish the fly on a strip, on the swing, or dead drifted depending on the salmon’s mood.

Key materials of the Spanker Kryptonite salmon fly are noted as follows:

kryptonite spanker

Hook: Gamakatsu SP11 3L3H #6
Thread: Veevus 6/0 or 10/0
Dumbbell Eyes in Size and color of choice; Hareline Pseudo Eyes
Body and Head in colors of choice: Hareline Cactus Chenille

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies | Leave a comment

McKenzie River Report and Fish Ladder Video May 2013

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

This weekend the upper McKenzie really turned on. Hatches of Green Drakes, Yellow Stones, Pale Morning Duns, Caddis and Golden Stones all brought the fish to surface. Fish moved into faster water and began to feed on patterns like Chubby Chernobyls, Green Drakes and Parachute Adams. Fishing and boating the upper McKenzie through class 3-plus white water is a blast, and the next 30 to 60 days is likely to be outstanding.

We shot a quick video of Fish Ladder rapids with my iphone this Sunday morning. Note the new obstruction that posses a bit of an issue for the middle route. You may remember a similar video when Bigfoot made an appearance? Nothing on this run but the phone doesn’t have a much of a wide angle so who knows.

Posted in Fishing Porn, Fishing Reports | Leave a comment

Deschutes Report: A Long Weekend

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Lou Verdugo

Last weekend, when it was 90 degrees in Madras, my daughter and son-in-law asked me to take them for a one night outing from Trout Creek to Harpham Landing. At first, I was very excited. The reality of going to Harpham, in “the beast”, with three people, camping gear, and a loaded cooler, began to set in after we launched on Saturday morning at 8:00am. There was no wind and not a lot of time. I would have to choose a few spots to stop and make sure my son-in-law had a shot at some fishing. Safety was the key issue for the trip, hence, no passengers going through Whitehorse.

White Horse 1

Our plan was to nymph the top half of the drift and with reports of stones in the Maupin area we were hopeful of Brad nailing his first Deschutes Redside on a stone dry fly. We found stones in the bushes all the way up to Kaskela. The tungsten retriever and trailing red copper john proved to be the winning combo in the few stops we made above Whitehorse. We had lunch at the bottom of Whitehorse and set off with Windy Flat as our campsite. Upon entering the canyon of Windy Flat we noticed movement high on the walls of the canyon, Big Horns!

Big Horns

Sleeping under the stars was a real treat. No bugs and no dew in the morning. The only interruption was the train at 3:00am. After breaking camp we continued down river. Nearing Dr. Dicks, stones were in the air and we started using dry stones. It was a few quick casts and Brad was into his first Deschutes Redside.

Brad Dry Fly full

There was plenty of stone fly action between Dr. Dicks and the locked gate. It was hard to believe wet wading was possible due to the excellent warm weather. It was a real treat to get Brad down the “D” for his first trip and first Redside. I look forward to another trip. Only next time, more than a weekend!

Lou dry fly full

Posted in Central Oregon Fishing Report, Eastern Oregon, Fishing Reports | Leave a comment

Fly Tying Video: Winding Guinea Hackle collars on Steelhead and Salmon Flies

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Jay Nicholas demonstrates another great technique on how to tie in a Guinea hackle to form a collar for salmon and steelhead flies. This is not complicated but can give first time users a bundle of frustration and this tutorial makes the process straight forward.

All of these methods are alternatives to using saddle hackles, neck hackles, or Schlappen to form collars on flies. Although features as for use on salmon and steelhead flies, these materials are great on saltwater, pike, musky, and bass flies too.

Key materials featured in this fly tying instruction video

Hareline Strung Guinea Feathers
Senyo’s Articulated Shank by Fish Skull
Senyo’s Intruder Trailer Wire
Nor Vise Automatic Bobbin
Veevus Thread 10/0

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies | Leave a comment

A Diamond in the Rough : Diamond Lake Fishing Report

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

diamond lake fishing

Thanks to Sam Parker for this excellent report on Diamond Lake.

The Urban Dictionary defines the metaphor a diamond in the rough as “someone or something that has hidden exceptional characteristics and or future potential, but currently lacks the final touches that would make them truly stand out from the crowd.” Diamond Lake, as a fly fishing destination, fits that definition nicely.

Rick Bocko and I decided to venture back to Diamond Lake this past weekend for a second year in a row armed only with fly rods. Last year, we experienced culture fish shock as we were only a handful of fisherman with fly rods and practically the only boat not anchored up in one spot for the entire day. Rick and I were the odd couple, ducking and weaving in and out of boats weighed down with buckets of Powerbait. We did well, very well with our two fly rigs being slowly trolled behind the boat. Not only were we catching a lot of fish, but the quality of fish did not seem to be affected by our curious fishing methods.
Arriving late Friday afternoon, we dumped the boat in the water and proceeded to the south end of the lake as we were being chased down by thundering squall. Trolling Diamond Lake Specials with a trailing March Brown emerger, Rick quickly took five fish to my one. It was a good start to the weekend.

diamond lake fly fishing

Saturday morning fishing proved to be a real test for whether or not Rick and I would return to Diamond for a third year running. Fishing was horrible not only for the oddball fly fisherman, but also for our fellow Bubbas. Keeping us entertained was the awesome beauty of the surrounding peaks and the epic chironomid hatches that made it challenging to breathe.

diamond lake fly angling

Breaking for lunch, Rick and I brainstormed how to improve our fishing prowess. Shifting our thinking from trying to figure out where the fish are (face it, there’s fish everywhere in Diamond) to where on the lake would our curious gear work best proved to be the game changer. We headed for the northwest corner of the lake. Depth: 4-12 feet. Habitat: Bull rushes lining the shore with a strip of clear bottom that leads into “weedage”. There is no other spot on the lake quite like this spot. Armed with Carey Specials, Black Wooley Buggers, Diamond Lake Specials trailed by March Brown and Timberline emerger patterns we hammered it and hammered it hard. The fish were impressive and at times fought just as well as their river brethren. The takes were powerful and at times startling.

fishing reports from diamond lake

fly fishing diamond lake

Diamond Lake is certainly not known for its fly fishing opportunities. It is a meat fishery on an epic scale. However, if you are looking for a lake with beautiful surroundings, located relatively close to Eugene, can easily accommodate the family, and where a fly rod works well then I cannot think of many more lakes that offer what Diamond is able to offer.

fly fishing diamond lake sam parker

SP

Posted in Fishing Reports, Oregon High Lakes | 3 Comments

Corvallis Trout Unlimited Meeting Tonight May 15th 2013

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Trout Unlimited’s newest chapter, the Corvallis-based Bluebacks, will have their May chapter meeting tonight from 7-9pm at Cascadia Fly Shop (900 NW Kings Blvd, Corvallis). The meeting will start with a summary of TU’s legislative efforts this session in Salem, and will continue with committee work sessions to make progress on ongoing education, conservation, and fundraising efforts.

Whether or not you can make tonight’s meeting, mark your calendars for The Blueback’s first fundraiser, The Blackmouth Bash, scheduled for May 29th from 6-9pm at Downward Dog in Corvallis. The Bash will celebrate the arrival of Chinook salmon in local river systems and bid farewell to the many Corvallis-based guides heading to Alaska for the summer season. For $15, your entry ticket gets you two drinks, courtesy of Calapooia Brewery and Two Towns Cider, free appetizers courtesy of Downward Dog, and entry into a raffle for TU swag and other prizes. Come enjoy local drinks, great food, and swap some fishing stories, all while supporting local conservation and education efforts.

-KS

Posted in Oregon Conservation News, Oregon Fly Fishing Clubs and Events | Leave a comment

Deschutes Salmon Fly Hatch In Full Swing

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Numerous reports from the Deschutes suggest both Golden Stone flies and the larger “Salmon Fly” insects are being gobbled up by chunky Rainbow Trout throughout the length of the river. It looks like a couple of cooler days in the near future may slow things a bit but if you are headed that way be sure to have all your favorite adult Stone Fly patterns.

Salmon and Golden stones, get ready!

Some of our favorites are on video at the links below:

Chubby Chernobyl

Langtry Stone Fly

Terranasty Salmon Fly

Half Down Golden Stone

Clark’s Stonefly

Lou sent the photo below from his trip just a couple of days ago and was getting the fish to eat Morrish’s October Caddis. An extended foam bodied pattern designed for an October Caddis adult, but hey, if they eat it they eat it! Try dropping a Red Copper John 18″ off the back of your favorite Stone if things get a bit tougher.

deschutes river salmon fly

Posted in Central Oregon Fishing Report, Fishing Reports | Leave a comment

McKenzie Caddis Wet Fly Tying Video

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

It’s McKenzie Caddis time of year on the Lower McKenzie and Middle Fork of the Willamette Rivers. Usually in the the late afternoon and evening these extremely active and large Caddis are available to trout. Aggressive strikes to skated and or twitched imitations are not uncommon. Tie the McKenzie Caddis Wet pattern in this video in tandem with another wet or a large dry and be sure to avoid the dead drift. Move this pattern in a swung or twitched fashion and you may just see some of the best fish of the year.

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McKenzie Caddis Wet

Thread: Black Veevus 10/0
Hook: TMC 3761 8-10
Body: Lead Wire 0.10, Green Caddis Chewee Skin
Hackle: Dun CDC, Gray Hare’s Ear Dubbin, and Partridge spun in
a loop using the Petitjean Tool.
Wing: Deer Hair tied short
Comments: Gauge the amount of lead wire you used based on the type of fishing you will do.

More videos of our favorite patterns for this hatch include:

Green McKenzie Caddis

CDC Green McKenzie Caddis

Green McKenzie Caddis Wet

Karnopp’s Riffle Diver

Green Caddis Larvae

McKenzie Caddis Pupae

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies | Leave a comment

Shad Fly Fishing Report

Posted on May 11, 2013 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

It’s shad time once again! I headed out yesterday with my good friend Jason to see if the Shad are in, and yep there are in! Typically the Shad run goes from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day. The Umpqua and Siuslaw both get runs of Shad, but the fish are bigger and fewer on the Siuslaw. That’s not to say that you cannot have a banner day on the Siuslaw.

shad fishing on umpqua river

If you are going to give these fish a try gear and flies are pretty simple. I usually use a 6-weight rod, but a 5 to 7 weight rod will get the job done. These fish range from 2 to 7 pounds and pull hard, but you don’t need the big guns to land them. The Oregon State Record for Shad is 6 pounds, 6 ounces.

shad fly fishing umpqua river

Pull out a shooting head, versi-tip, or sink-tip line to get the fly down in the strike zone. Jason was on fire for a while with an intermediate line, so anything can go. Flies are a size 4 to 8 Shad fly in a variety of colors including Fl Chartreuse, Fl. Pink, Purple, Light Pink…you get the idea. I usually tie my shad flies with Bead Chain eyes, but Hareline’s Brass Eyes are a good choice as well.

fly fishing for shad in oregon

Short Leaders down to 2x, and a down and across presentation are standard for Shad. The absolute key to catching these fish is to keep it in their travel lane. Shad travel in schools swimming through the deep slots in river. If you sink that fly and get grabbed, keep fishing that spot. What I mean is that you have found the zone, keep that fly in that zone and you will wear your arm out.

If you are looking for something new to try or are tired of waiting for the Summer Steelhead to arrive, give Shad a go.
TT

Posted in Fishing Reports | 3 Comments

Spinning A Strike Point For Intruder Style Steelhead and Salmon Flies: Instructional Video

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Jay Nicholas shows some basic methodology in fly tying. – how to tie in a so-called strike-point by using a dubbing loop with STS Trilobal Dubbing and American Possum: a technique that is popular for Steelhead and Salmon flies.

The Strike point is a bright color-spot that attracts the fish’s attention and trigger a grab, ha ha.

This product is offered by Pro Sportfisher and makes an excellent hair to spin butt and thorax sections of flies as it has a translucent sparkly texture and very spikey guard hairs

The American Possum fur is an on-hide patch made available in a wide variety of colors and could also be used for wings on trout and Sea Trout flies.

Jay typically first uses a razor blade to cut a strip of hair off the piece to form an easier means of trimming off the right amount of hair to spin in the dubbing loop.

He also depends on a Marc Petitjean Dubbing Twister, long straight scissors in the process of constructing this dubbing loop.

Key materials featured in this fly tying instruction video are:

Marc Petitjean Dubbing Twister
Marc Petitjean Magic Tool
Marc Petitjean Long Loop Trim Scissors
Hareline STS Trilobal Dubbin
Pro Sportfisher American Possum

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies | Leave a comment

Attaching a Trailer Hook Loop to Senyo’s Articulated Shank

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Jay Nicholas demonstrates how to tie in a loop to attach a stinger hook on Senyo’s Articulated Shanks for Steelhead and Salmon flies. This product is created by Fish Skull and makes a GREAT base for tying all sizes of Intruder flies that us steelhead and salmon anglers fish.

The Stinger loop is shown in this video using Senyo’s Intruder Trailer Hook Wire. Fact is that some folks prefer to use Fireline or Mono for their trailer hooks, so if you do, this method is the same you should use with your loop material of choice. The idea is to produce a secure base for your trailer hook and this makes it very secure and properly aligned to make sure your hook rides straight in the water.

Senyo’s Articulated Intruder Skanks are offered at present in 25 mm and 40 mm lengths. Both come in handy for various size flies.

Shank and Wire Colors: A variety of colors are offered in both the articulated shanks and the trailer hook wire so use your creativity and let fly, so to speak.

Key materials featured in this fly tying instruction video are:

Thread – Veevus 6/0 black or red
Senyo’s Articulated Shank by Fish Skull
Senyo’s Intruder Trailer Wire

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies | Leave a comment

McKenzie and Willamette River Fly Fishing Report

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

rainbow trout fly fishing on the Mckenzie river

There have been some gorgeous days on our local rivers of late. Tons of sun, great water conditions and few anglers out and about.

mckenzie river fly fishing

Now about that fishing report: Hot days in April and May can mean cold water running off the Western Cascades. The McKenzie and Willamette had some excellent early season hatches but of late adult insect activity has been curtailed considerably. Mid day hatches have dried up, smatterings of caddis and large stones in the afternoon, but that’s about it!

Lower river reports have been better with fishing from late afternoon to evening being best. Nymphing tactics remain the most productive. Tandem rigs of one heavy stonefly pattern and a smaller Copper John, Possie Bugger or Ice Prince nymphs fished under an indicator have been working well at times. Using a Chubby Chernobyl or Half Down Golden Stone as a Dry Stonefly Adult pattern have yielded some results, but not a frequently as you would think when drifting through perfect looking water drift after drift.

fly fishing the willamette

My friend Bill was back in the boat early this week. Bill is 92 and has been fishing most of his years. We experienced a first for both of us on the McKenzie. Mid way through a pretty slow morning Bill’s dry fly is attacked by what we think is a really nice McKenzie Rainbow. A few minutes later when bill gets the fish to the bank we find it to be beauty of a Bull Trout! It was the first for us on the dry.

bull trout on the mckenzie river

Bull trout on the chubby Chernobyl today!

The Middle Fork of the Willamette is in really great shape. The outflow at Hills Creek dam has been around 400 cubic feet per second. Wading anglers have excellent opportunities on the Middle Fork at present. Again fishing has been best in the afternoon with larger Possie Buggers, Prince Nymphs and Chubby Chernobyls.

Middle willamette sunny day

Summer in May?

Posted in Fishing Reports, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing | 3 Comments

Oregon Watershed Council 101

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

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Making the transition from fly shop employee to the watershed council world, one thing has become abundantly clear. Many fishermen, hikers, kayakers, and outdoor enthusiasts in Oregon aren’t familiar with their local watershed council and what these groups are doing to restore and protect the rivers we all cherish and respect.

Watershed councils are locally organized, voluntary, non-regulatory groups established to improve the condition of natural resources in the state’s watersheds. In Oregon, around 90 recognized councils are engaged in a wide range of watershed activities addressing local priorities for water quality, as well as fish and wildlife habitat. Councils receive much of their funding from the Oregon State Lottery. Ballot Measure 76 which passed in 2010 directs 7.5% of all state lottery dollars to Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, who then awards grants to watershed councils to complete restoration projects. Councils also rely on private donations, and foundation grants to conduct education, outreach, and community events.

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Watershed councils restore riparian areas that filter pollutants and control runoff and erosion, and provide valuable shade for streams that might otherwise reach dangerously warm temperatures during summer months. Councils enhance in-stream habitat by placing boulders and large woody debris in streams, so that fish have places to hide from predators. These groups reconnect floodplain and back-channel areas to rivers, so that juvenile fish have refuge from turbulent and turbid waters when rivers swell during high winter and spring flows. Councils work to educate young Oregonians on the delicate ecosystems of the many rivers, streams, and creeks we are lucky to have access to in this state. And councils work to spread awareness of what we can all do as individuals to promote river health and ensure our favorite streams and creeks are there for future generations to enjoy.

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Watershed councils are required to represent the interests of their respective basins and often bring together diverse groups of individuals to find solutions to local issues. Watershed councils offer local residents the opportunity to independently evaluate watershed conditions and identify opportunities to restore or enhance conditions. Through the councils’ partnerships between residents, local, state, and federal agencies, and other groups, the state’s watersheds are protected and enhanced.

With almost 90 watershed councils in Oregon, it’s likely your favorite place to fish is being restored by one of these groups. To find out more about your local council and what you can do to help, see the Network of Oregon Watershed Councils’ website at www.oregonwatersheds.org.

-KS

Posted in Oregon Conservation News | 1 Comment

Fly Fishing Offshore Oregon – May 2013

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Here we go again, hopefully, into another season of fly fishing in the ocean near Pacific City with my friends Jack and John Harrell.

Last week was my first 2013 effort actually trying to target Ling Cod on a fly rod. The fish finder showed Lings under us at about 60-80 feet. Hummmmmm. How to get a fly that deep? Various Hi Density shooting head lines put me in the zone, but not as quickly or as often as my companions fishing lead head jigs on spinning tackle. The greatest obstacle to getting a fly deep is when the dory is drifting in a different direction or at a different speed than the ocean current.

I may not have explained that very well, but it is like fishing a sinking line from an anchored boat in a lake versus a river: the river current interferes with the sink rate of the line.

Suffice to say, I was thrilled to get grabbed by two Lings first thing during the day, and have more fly line options i want to try next time out on the ocean.

We fished in fog early and sun after about 10 AM. Limits of Ling Cod allowed us to head for schools of Black Rockfish and their depth of 20 to 40 feet was more easily accessed with a fly.

This ocean fly fishing experience is absolutely amazing and diverse after fishing freshwater lakes and rivers so much of my life.   I am tying flies and assembling lines for hoped-for trips soon to come.

Here are a few photos and images of last week’s adventure.

JN

Posted in Fishing Reports, Oregon Saltwater Fishing | 2 Comments