Increased shade, cooler evenings and lighter fishing pressure have trout looking up much more in recent days. Must have (don’t leave home without them) dry flies for the McKenzie, Willamette and tributaries include the following:
Parachute Adams #10-14
Carlson’s Purple Haze #10-16
Brown Elk Hair Caddis #12-16
Tan Elk Hair Caddis #12-16
Orange Stimulator #8-12
Other news and notes fishing report-wise in the area. Steelhead fishing on the Middle Fork of the Willamette between Dexter Dam and the confluence of the McKenzie has been decent considering the overall number of fish in the system.
Both the McKenzie and Willamette drainages have seen bumps in flow as reservoirs are drawn down to prep for fall. Water temps and flows have improved fishing on all fronts.
I have been seeing quite a few more hoppers in the burned area of the McKenzie, no doubt more grass growing in the forest and hoppers are loving it. Fish are loving the MFC Chubby as an imitation but there are a bunch of cool hopper patterns out there that work well.
Let’s hope we all escape the inferno predicted this weekend!
