Our local rivers the McKenzie and Middle Fork of the Willamette continue to fish well despite a lack of significant hatches. Hopper dropper set ups with Chubby Chernobyls and various jigged nymphs continue to be very effective. Attractor patterns like Purple Haze and RIO’s Dry Humper are effective early and late in the day. Terrestrial patterns like hoppers and ants are also a good call to have on hand.
Smallmouth Bass fishing on the Umpqua is excellent! We floated from Umpqua landing to James Woods landing on Sunday and small clousers, stonefly nymphs, and poppers all caught plenty of willing bass.
It’s a great time to look at the Williamson and Wood rivers. The famous Hex hatch is happening at dark or after dark on the Williamson and you will find some of the states largest trout looking for these huge mayflies. Hoppers on the lower wood and lightly dressed bugger style patterns on intermediate lines for both rivers can be productive.
The steelhead forecast is pretty grim. The North Umpqua is flat out closed. You can read about the states decision here. The Deschutes remains open for the time being but numbers are not overly impressive. For more info on the potential open/closed fall fishing you can read the states explanation and criteria here. Steelhead counts over Willamette Falls are abysmal for 2023, we have yet to reach 1000 Summer Steelhead. That sub 1000 feeds the Willamette, McKenzie and Santiam systems. Catching a summer steelhead in the Willamette system this year is a bit like finding a needle in a haystack.
It’s a great time of year to get up into the upper reaches of our local waters. The North Fork of the Middle Fork of the Willamette, the Middle Fork of the Willamette above Hills Creek Reservoir and the South Fork of the McKenzie above Cougar Reservoir all off great wet wading and dry fly fishing for native trout. Similar attractor patterns as mentioned for the McKenzie and Middle Fork main-stems will work well.
If you are heading to the coast to escape the heat it’s a good time to start looking for Sea Run Cutthroat in the Alsea, Siuslaw, Siletz, and Nestucca rivers. Cloudy days are best and with little rain in the forecast you will find these fish in the lower reaches of coastal streams, even tidal areas. Here are a couple of older posts with a bit of info in them for chasing Sea Runs. Have fun out there, Fall isn’t far away!
