Fall is definitely is the air. Even when high temperatures reach towards 90 degrees this week, it’s only for a hour out of what is perfect early fall weather. The only problem is it doesn’t last for 6 months!
The McKenzie has been fishing very well of late. The Corps of Engineers have started their annual draw down on both the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers. This push/flush of cold water freshens our local waters, and they will fish well in their entire lengths through the fall.
This flush also moves steelhead around, expect fishing below Leaburg Dam on the McKenzie and Dexter Dam on the Middle Fork to be very good. Spring Chinook Salmon will be on their reds over the next couple of weeks and this never hurts fishing for large trout and steelhead looking for an easy meal of Salmon Eggs.
Low light conditions and the higher water will improve the lower McKenzie. Anglers will find shaded water throughout the day. The upper McKenzie is going to be tougher to wade below Blue River and the South Fork confluence because of the water release, but above on the McKenzie River trail fishing can be awesome mid day.
October Caddis were on the McKenzie the last few days. Mahogany Duns, Blue Winged Olives, Little Yellow Stones, Gray Drakes and mid sized Caddis were also active. Bugs you should have in your box for this wonderful fall season include: Gray Hair Wing Drake, Gray Drake Cripple, Orange McKenzie Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis Orange, Morrish’s October Caddis Adult, Parachute Adams, Parachute Madam X Orange, Sparkle Dun Mahogany, Elk Hair Caddis Brown, Sparkle Dun Blue Winged Olive, Half Down Golden Stone Fly, Kingrey’s Better Foam Caddis, Tungsten Peackock Ice Prince Nymph , October Phat Ass, Stalcup’s Bead Head Gilled Pheasant Tail, Morrish’s Deep October Pupa, Prince of Darkness, and of course the Possie Bugger and Mega Prince are hall of fame selections.
Pressure has dropped off our local waters, this is truly a fantastic time of year, get out and enjoy–CD
