As soon as cool morning shade became warm morning shade/sun fishing was on fire yesterday. Small “browny/orangey” caddis were all over the near shore trees and brush. Short Winged Stoneflies were present in surprising numbers. We saw numerous Short Wings fluttering on the surface then getting smashed by aggressive wild rainbows. October Caddis and a few Gray Drakes were present as well.
Our best set up was a hopper dropper rig, using either a Half Down Golden or Morrish October Caddis Adult as the dry, and an Ice Prince as the nymph 4-6 feet below.
Fall fishing throughout the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers, is and will continue to be great. The lower McKenzie’s water temperature is down in the mid 50s. Cutthroats have been taking Orange Stimulators, Orange Caddis, Orange Soft Hackles, Parachute Adams, and Blue Winged Olives.
The Middle Fork of the Willamette near Oakridge has dropped considerably and is prime for wading. Use similar tactics and bugs on the Middle Fork. Look at the receding reservoirs on the Mid Willamette drainage. The water running into Lookout Point and into Hills Creek can have some monster fish in it right now and they will take dries, nymphs and streamers.–CD
