Fall fishing is upon us and Oregon offers so much to do it’s often difficult to decide which magnificent water to visit. My personal favorite is the upper McKenzie River. Clear water, gorgeous fish, and light conditions that make all hours of the day productive from here on out.
Current hatches are minimal but things will pick up shortly on the entire river. Look for small and mid sized Caddis. Brown and Orange Elk Hair’s are the best in sizes #10-16. Gray Drakes #10 and #12, Mahogany Duns # 16, Half Down Golden Stones #8-12, and Blue Winged Olives in #16-18.
Subsurface try Tungsten Bead head Possie Buggers and Prince Nymphs #10-16, Idyl’s Holo Prince #12-14, Orange Soft Hackle #12-14, and Stalcup’s Bead Head Gilled Pheasant Tail. Look for the all important October Caddis Emergence to begin later in September.
More Oregon fly fishing report suggestions
Rogue River: Currently “half pounder” and adult steelhead are racing into the Lower Rogue. Reports are that fishing is best from Mule Creek Canyon to tide water. It looks like 2009 will be an excellent year for half pounders on the Rogue. Best patterns for these active juvenile steelhead are Mega Prince, Rogue River Red and Silver Ants, Steelhead Coachman, Tungsten Ice Prince # 8 and Septober Soft Hackle andDelectable Egg-head CDC Prince. The entire Rogue River system will be fishing well by mid September.
The Lower Deschutes was hampered by cloudy (White River blew out) and warm water this weekend. Fishing was reported as very slow. However there are great numbers of fish and things will be outstanding as the fall continues.
The North Umpqua has quietly been producing some good fishing. Fish have spread themselves out in the river and angling pressure has been moderate. Light conditions are improving daily for spotting fish and finding shade to fish all day long on the North Umpqua.
Best bets for local walk and wade fishing.
Salmon Creek, Salt Creek, and the North Fork of the Middle Fork are as accessible as they get. Fish a hopper or Royal Wulff as you walk up-stream from pool to pool.
The upper South Fork of the McKenzie and Upper Middle Fork of the Willamette — above Cougar and above Hills Creek Reservoirs offer a chance at a really big fish. Hatches similar to the main McKenzie this time of year.
Other waters to consider: Waldo Lake, Hosmer Lake, Craine Prarie Reservoir. In search of the 7lbs brookie pictures in those fishing magazines touting Quebec and Labrador. We have them in Oregon, although they are hard to catch, September and October are the months these fish begin to get active and available.
Town Run Steelhead, The McKenzie Below Leaburg, and The Middle Fork below Dexter. Fishing has been surprisingly consistent throughout the Summer and as usual will pick up with cooler nights, less pressure and spawning Chinook Salmon. Egg Sucking leeches, Moal Leeches, and Egg Patterns will do the trick on our local hatchery run Steelhead.
So many other areas to fish, have fun wherever you find yourself on the water.–CD
Chris, what are water levels? I can get cfs and guage level; I am interested in is it OK from Frissel, from Paradise, or from Bruckhart. Thanks
I love the upper Mac, but all I ever catch there is Whitefish…I’m going to give it another shot next week.
Chris, i been going up on the McKenzie around Eagle Rock area and i have had good success, when u say upper Mac i wonder how far up? further than that and if so where at, if u dont mind sharing…all i do is wet wade…any suggestions would be amazing, thanks!