Flies you Need in your Fly Box for Spring Fishing on the Mckenzie and Willamette

Here is a list of “go to” standard fly patterns for your local fishing over the next couple of weeks. Sizes may vary slightly and of course there are many other effective flies. These are your “don’t leave home without them” patterns.

Mega Prince
The Mega Prince can be fished dead drift or swung and is a favorite when the water is a bit on the high side and not perfectly clear. It can be used in tandem with other nymphs or wet flies. One of the best Sprng flies around!

Double Bead Poxy Backed Peacock Nymph
When you need to get down quickly the Double Bead Poxy Backed Peacock Nymph will get the job done. We use this quick decent pattern along with a smaller nymph for a double nymph and indicator rig. One of the best early season Deschutes flies as well.

Jimmy Legs
The Jimmy Legs is another highly effective nymph pattern. We have found it to fish in all colors and sizes. It’s buggy, leggy, “beadless” drift is deadly.

Pheasant Tail/PT Flashback
Nothing surprising here the Pheasant Tail is a great all around nymph anywhere trout swim. We like it to imitate March Brown nymphs in sizes 12 and 14, then drop down to a 16 or 18 for Blue Winged Olives. Fish it in shallow riffles under a dry or with another heavy nymph for best success.

Silvey’s Soft Serve March Brown Wet
The Soft Serve March Brown wet fly does great when swung down and across all Spring. It has a small bead tied into the body helping it get down a bit even in the fastest of tail-outs and riffles.

Tungsten Trout Retriever Yellow Lab
When you need to dredge a bit the Trout Retriever will get you to the bottom quickly. Use in with a small nymph for a double nymph rig. Highly effective as warmer days spurn golden stone emergence.

Copper John
Density and sink rate are superb attributes to the Copper John Nymph. There is a reason why it’s been the best selling nymph in the West for years. Try the Copper John under a dry or with a heavier nymph and indicator rig.

Possie Bugger
You knew it was on the list, only a matter of time. Swing it, dead drift it, get it wet. The Possie Bugger catches fish all seasons.

March Brown Parachute
Finally a dry fly on list! The March Brown Parachute is a favorite on those cloudy days when the trout push up into the riffles and feed on adult and emerging March Browns.

Peacock Caddis
The Peacock Caddis is as good as any to imitate the Grannom Caddis blizzard that can be present on sunny days this time of year. The hatch can be frustrating at times but find a feeder on the bank or in a defined feed line and present a size 16 or 18 Peacock Caddis for good results.

Western March Brown
A heavily hackle “traditional Catskills” version of the March Brown adult. We have gone back to this pattern a bit with surprising results.

Have fun out there!