Author Archives: Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Hook Style Matters – Really

Yup. Contrary to what a person might think, different hook styles and manufacturers exhibit characteristics that are quite different, and these differences have a HUGE influence on the appearance of a finished fly tied on each specific hook. The flies above, … Continue reading

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Postcards from Gui Allen in Baja 2018

My friends Gui Allen and Jim Buckley just returned from their annual venture to La Ventana at Gary Bulla Saltwater Adventures in Baja. I still hope to return there either later this season or next year, but for now, I’d like … Continue reading

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John Day Smallmouth Trip 2018

The river was a bit busier, the weather was a bit cooler, but the floating, camping and fishing were still a blast. The John Day from Twickenham to Clarno is an easy family friendly float trip. Busy Fathers day weekend … Continue reading

Posted in Oregon Conservation News, Oregon Fly Fishing Tips, Oregon Warmwater Fly Fishing, Oregon Weekend Fishing Forecast | 1 Comment

Nicholas’ Hook Torture Test – Gamakatsu, TMC, Daiichi, and Ahrex

The picture tells the story I think. No, this is not science, this is a pile of hooks that is the aftermath of sitting down at my fly bench, placing a series of my hook boxes on the desk, grabbing my … Continue reading

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McKenzie River Paddle & Pull

Join McKenzie River Trust in caring for a special property between Hendricks Bridge and Hayden Bridge on the McKenzie River! Saturday, June 23rd, volunteer to help care for McKenzie Oxbow, a 20-acre conservation area just downstream of Hendrick’s Bridge Boat … Continue reading

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Lower South Fork McKenzie River Floodplain Enhancement Project Phase I

Phase I of the Lower South Fork McKenzie River Floodplain Enhancement Project is underway. The Project will enhance habitat conditions within the lower mile of the river and restore connections to over 200 acres of floodplain. Contractors are currently collecting … Continue reading

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Old dogs, new tricks: Northern Pike 2018

Hey folks, Matt Stansberry here with an update from our annual fishing trip to Mar Mac Lodge on Lake Esnagi in Ontario. My dad and his buddy have been coming up to this lake for fifty years and I’ve been … Continue reading

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Willamette Falls Fish Counts Up – Water Levels Down

Last year was an absolutely miserable local steelhead year. This time last year their were approximately 1000 summer steelhead over Willamette Falls. Those 1000 spread in the Willamette, McKenzie and Santiam River systems, so catching them last year was rare … Continue reading

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Rainy Weekend – Hatches on the McKenzie and Willamette

High pressure gives way to an overcast, showery “mayfly friendly” weekend. Fishing has been excellent on the McKenzie and Middle Fork of the Willamette Rivers of late. Look for that fishing to be more surface focussed and even better this … Continue reading

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Jay’s White Ghost Tube Trout Streamer Fly Tying Video

In this video Jay ties up another delicious trout streamer. This fly really illustrates how using a variety of similar colored materials can add subtle accents and several layers of texture. This fly can be cast, stripped, and swung for … Continue reading

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Hook Up or Hook Down – Questions from NZ

Hey Jay, hope all is well. I was wondering about your thoughts on hook positioning in flies. In particular tube style flies. Have you experimented with hooks in the down position and further up towards the head of the fly? … Continue reading

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Jay’s Steelhead Tube Fly w/Grizzle Saddle and Pro Sport Flexi bead Fly Tying Video

In this video, Jay demonstrates how to tie a tube fly using Pro Sport’s Classic Tube and Flexineedle. Jay is also tying this fly with Skinny Grizzle Saddle instead of Ostrich. Using Saddle provides a little more durability than Ostrich … Continue reading

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Carey Special Fly Tying Video

In this video, Tony ties up a Carey Special. An old but very effective pattern for fishing lakes. The Carey Special is one of those “must have in your box” fly patterns when you visit a lake. It’s the Parachute … Continue reading

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Baja Flies by Gui Allen

  Yes, my friends Gui and Jim are (or have very recently been) fly fishing at Gary Bulla’s in Baja. I asked Gui to share several of the flies he has been tying for this trip. Without further comment, I’ll … Continue reading

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Big Dry Fly Time in Oregon – Trout Fishing in May and June 2018

You have to love fly fishing in May and June in Oregon. Some of our very best opportunities exist and we are able to fish some of the biggest dry flies of the season. You have hungry trout tying willing … Continue reading

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