Fall is here in the Willamette Valley and our local fisheries have really turned on. The McKenzie in it’s entirety has been fishing great, the Middle Fork of the Willamette has dropped down and is very “wadable” with a 722cfs release out of Hills Creek Dam. October Caddis have begun to emerge, Short Winged stoneflies are around on the upper McKenzie and we are seeing some really nice fish.
The best bugs to have in your box are pictured below.
Starting from the top:
First Row
Morrish’s Foam October Caddis
Advanced Stimulator Orange
Kinrey’s Better Foam Caddis
Second Row Nymphs
HDA Jigged Variant
Jigged Possie Bugger
Jigged CDC Pheasant Tail
Third Row Dries
Parachute Adams
Goddard Caddis Rusty
Hairwing Gray Drake
Fourth Row
Orange Soft Hackles
Extended Body Mahogany Dun
Blue Winged Olive
Klinkhammer Blue Winged Olive
I was on the lower river yesterday around noon in the Leaburg area and noticed some small yellow stones and small dark caddis all coming off at the same time. Fish were more keyed into high and dry presentations than wets or nymphs at that particular time and place on the river. Looking forward to the “great pumpkins” to show themselves!