The McKenzie and Middle Fork of the Willamette rivers have been fishing well of late. Water levels have remained stable for the past week and clarity has improved on both rivers. Despite good water conditions and some classic overcast and warmish afternoons, March Brown and Caddis hatches have seemed to sputter a bit of late. That doesn’t mean fish are not looking up towards the surface more though. We have been taking more fish swinging flies lately. Silvey’s Soft Serve March Brown, Dark Cahill, and Royal Coachman Wet have been working well on softer inside turns and riffles. Nymphing continues to produce with Mega Prince still being the go to bug. The Possie Bugger and numerous heavy stonefly nymphs will also get the job done. We have had many years where by May 7th we would have seen a few Green McKenzie Caddis emerge. This years ice cold water temps and continued wet weather have us at least 2-3 weeks late in terms of some hatches.
There have been several Steelhead caught between Hendricks and Belinger on the McKenzie by anglers doing their best to catch trout for the Mckenzie River Native Trout Study. Stay after it guys, the trout will come.
