Category Archives: Lower Willamette

The Most Durable Squirmy Worm Material to Date: New Trinas Squirm Material from Montana Fly Co

Posted on February 13, 2026 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Everyone knows squirmy worms work whether you like them or not. Silicone squirmy material has a serious Achilles’ heel. The silicone the worms are made of is extremely fragile. If you crank too hard with thin, but strong thread it … Continue reading →

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, Proven Spring Fly Patterns, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Realistic Blue Winged Olive Weightless Nymph

Posted on February 6, 2026 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Blue Winged Olives or Mayflies from the “Baetis” are a staple in trouts diets all over the world during the colder season. Many places only have a good BWO hatch in the spring and fall, but our weather is mild … Continue reading →

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jigged Rabbit Collar Pheasant Tail Nymph

Posted on January 27, 2026 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

In this video, Simon ties a unique variation on the traditional pheasant tail nymph. With winter conditions, a heavy tungsten bead on a jigged hook was a must. Simon kept high flows in mind while designing this fly and aimed … Continue reading →

Posted in Fly Tying, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, Proven Spring Fly Patterns, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Last Shot Stone: A Large, Versatile Searching Pattern for Trout

Posted on January 12, 2026 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

In this video, Simon ties an effective large profile searching pattern. The fly is versatile in its imitation of several different types of large calorie food items for trout. The fly effectively imitates stonefly & salmon fly nymphs, crawdads, hellgrammites, … Continue reading →

Posted in Eastern Oregon, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, Proven Spring Fly Patterns, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

BWO Hot Tag Wet Fly Tying Video

Posted on January 2, 2026 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

In this video, Simon ties a wonderful BWO soft hackle. Soft hackles are traditionally swung, but their sparse design allows them to be so much more than a swung wet fly. Simon developed this pattern for a late season trip … Continue reading →

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tips and Tricks for the Change of the Season: Late Fall/Early Winter Trout Fishing

Posted on December 10, 2025 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

The change of seasons can be an especially challenging time to find fish. This is even more true for new anglers. Beginners and experts alike have had the last 6 months to become accustomed to summer and fall conditions, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Fly Tying, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Jigged Beacon: A High-Water Searching Nymph Pattern

Posted on December 9, 2025 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Cold weather and winter rains are late this year, but are not entirely out of the picture. With plenty of rain in the forecast, our rivers are likely going to swell and a heavy nymph that stands out is necessary. … Continue reading →

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Mighty October Caddis: Tips and Tricks for our Favorite Fall Hatch

Posted on November 12, 2025 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Many of us wait with great anticipation for fall weather. The fall colors, a break from the heat and smoke, salmon, mushrooms, bird season, cooler weather, but most importantly the October Caddis. This is an especially difficult time of year … Continue reading →

Posted in Central Oregon Fishing Report, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, Oregon Fly Fishing Tips, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Willow Harvest & Fishing at Green Island: Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025

Posted on October 22, 2025 by Caddisfly

In partnership with McKenzie River Trust, Our local Trout Unlimited Chapter, Redsides will be volunteering at the special Green Island property on Saturday, Nov. 15th. Following the work, the property will remain open until 4 pm for exclusive fishing access to the Willamette … Continue reading →

Posted in Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Oregon Conservation News, Oregon Fly Fishing Clubs and Events | Leave a comment

The Mystery of Coho Salmon in the McKenzie River

Posted on August 20, 2025 by Caddisfly

by: Native Fish Society McKenzie River Steward Dave Thomas You are likely aware of recent reports of Coho salmon in our beloved McKenzie.  Generally, we think of the McKenzie as a sanctuary for Spring Chinook salmon and indeed this run is … Continue reading →

Posted in Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Oregon Conservation News, Oregon Salmon fly fishing, Oregon Saltwater Fishing | 2 Comments

Early July Fishing Report

Posted on July 9, 2025 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Our local water in the valley is fishing very well. Summer fishing on the Willamette and Mckenzie is in full swing and the bugs are here. Summer continues to chug on, but we aren’t feeling the negative effects of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Fishing Reports, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, Oregon Fly Fishing Tips, Oregon Weekend Fishing Forecast, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jigged Grannom Caddis Pupa: Jigged Nymph/Soft Hackle Tutorial

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

In this video, Simon ties an extremely effective jigged caddis pupa for fishing the Mother’s Day or Grannom Caddis hatch. This hatch can be frustrating with lots of emerged adults on the water, and very few fish rising. This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, Proven Spring Fly Patterns, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mastering the Mother’s Day Grannom Caddis Hatch

Posted on May 25, 2025 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

The Grannom or Mother’s Day Caddis is a long awaited hatch all over the country. This hatch of small salt and pepper colored Caddisflies marks the turn of seasons. The abundance of adults fluttering around and in stream side vegetation … Continue reading →

Posted in Classes and Instruction, Fishing Reports, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, Oregon Fly Fishing Tips, Proven Spring Fly Patterns, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

May Community Fly Fishing & Tying Night

Posted on May 14, 2025 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Everyone’s favorite night of the month is coming up next week. Community Fly Fishing & Tying Night is coming up next week at Falling Sky Brewing at 6:30! We’ve been having a great turnout and have seen lots of new … Continue reading →

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jigged March Brown Nymph Tutorial

Posted on April 18, 2025 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

In this video, Simon ties a fantastic Jigged March Brown Nymph. March Browns are in the clinger family of mayflies. They have adapted a streamlined, low profile body over millions of years. They inhabit the fastest currents in the river, … Continue reading →

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, NW Fly Tyer & Fly Fishing Expo | Leave a comment