Category Archives: Lower Willamette

Early May Fishing Report 2024

High water and cold water temps have been the norm of late. Fishing has still held up on the McKenzie River near Eugene. Blips of sunshine have shown what’s to come. Pale Morning Duns, Green McKenzie Caddis, stonefly adults, Little … Continue reading

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Mothership Salmon Fly: Dry Fly Tutorial

In this video, Simon ties a great extended body Salmonfly dry fly. Every spring some of the West’s largest aquatic insects make their emergence. The salmonfly often marks the beginning of trout season, and means summer is on the way. … Continue reading

Posted in Central Oregon Fishing Report, Eastern Oregon, Fly Tying, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, Proven Spring Fly Patterns, Southern Oregon, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cool Nights Slow Mornings on the McKenzie

There is no rush to get out there on these cold mornings. I kept close track of water temps yesterday with my new Fishpond Digital Thermometer and there was a swing from 45-50 degrees between 830 and 5pm. Once water … Continue reading

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March Brown Fly Tying Tutorials

With the March Brown hatch underway, we’ve collected a variety of past tying videos for some spring-time inspiration. We are seeing plenty of bugs on the lower river. Swinging wets is super effective for this hatch specifically. Plenty of fish … Continue reading

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

$27 Million Awarded For Springer, Winter-run Restoration In Willamette

THE FOLLOWING IS A NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE FEATURE STORY An influx of $27 million from the Office of Habitat Conservation under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act is reinvigorating efforts to restore threatened salmon and trout species in Oregon’s Willamette River … Continue reading

Posted in Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, Oregon Conservation News | Leave a comment

This Billion-Dollar Plan to Save Salmon Depends on a Giant Fish Vacuum

Check out this informative article from Propublica.org about dam drawdowns in the Willamette Basin. If you have been wondering why Fall Creek, Cougar, and Lookout Reservoirs are like rivers right now this article will explain. Click HERE to read.

Posted in Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, Oregon Conservation News | 1 Comment

August Native Fish Society McKenzie Chapter Meeting Reminder

Our next McKenzie Chapter Meeting is coming up on Wednesday, August 30th at 5:30pm at the Ninkasi Better Living Room in Eugene, OR and you’re invited to join!  What: August McKenzie Chapter Meeting–a fish-themed trivia night Where: Ninkasi’s Better Living Room, 155 … Continue reading

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Early August Fishing Opportunities around the State

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 … Continue reading

Posted in Fishing Reports, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, North Umpqua River Fishing Reports, Oregon Fly Fishing Tips, Southern Oregon, Summer Steelhead | Leave a comment

Mid June Fishing Report

With the majority of the runoff in our rear-view mirror, our local rivers and tributaries are shaping up nicely for summer conditions. Flows have stabilized creating great conditions for floating and wading. Both the Mckenzie and Willamette are currently seeing … Continue reading

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Beadhead McKenzie Green Caddis Soft Hackle Fly Tying Video

In this video Simon demonstrates how to tie a Beadhead Green McKenzie Caddis Soft Hackle. This is a big water version of an excellent all around caddis pupae pattern. Fish it subsurface dead drift or on the swing. This pattern … Continue reading

Posted in Fly Tying Materials and Supplies, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, Oregon Fly Fishing Tips | Leave a comment

Hidden Bead McKenzie Green Caddis Wet Fly Tying Video

Simon demonstrates how to tie a Green McKenzie Wet Fly pattern aimed at imitating the unique caddis that hatches in much of the McKenzie and Middle Fork of the Willamette Rivers from late April until late June. This pattern can … Continue reading

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

Early May 2023 Fly Fishing Report

Runoff and rain have bumped flows in our local rivers; high water calls for a different approach to spring fishing. The good news is both the Mckenzie and the Willamette rivers are dropping and should be in better shape as … Continue reading

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Native Fish Society – 2023 Homewaters: Run Wild Benefit Banquet

You’re Invited to Native Fish Society’s 27th Annual Homewaters Benefit Auction + Wild Fish Celebration Guided by the best available science, Native Fish Society advocates for the recovery and protection of wild, native fish and the stewardship of the habitats … Continue reading

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

Egg Laying Grannom Caddis Fly Tying Video

Simon demonstrates how to to a cool Grannom Caddis pattern complete with egg sack and realistic wing profile. The spring Grannom caddis emergence can be frustrating, make sure to have a few of these on hand when you see fish … Continue reading

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Mid February Mckenzie and Willamette Report

Recent cold weather has slowed trout fishing significantly. Several days and nights of cold temperatures have the fish slowing down and conserving energy. Nymphing, however, has been the most productive method of targeting trout as of late. On particularly warm … Continue reading

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