Category Archives: McKenzie River

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

Fishery Management in the McKenzie River, Fall, 2025

Posted on October 27, 2025 by Caddisfly

By David Thomas, NFS McKenzie River Steward Date: October 21, 2025 Work on the Rewilding of the McKenzie River Basin: Planned restoration projects for 2025 seem to have been productive.  The Gate Creek Flood Plane Enhancement was largely completed, expanding on … Continue reading →

Posted in McKenzie River, Oregon Conservation News | 1 Comment

Jigged Mahogany Dun

Posted on October 27, 2025 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

In this video, Simon ties a fantastic Mahogany Dun nymph. These insects are often overshadowed by their more popular fall counterparts: Blue Winged Olives and the mighty October Caddis. These small mayflies can offer fantastic dry fly fishing if you … Continue reading →

Posted in Fly Tying, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, 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

October Rabbit Caddis Pupa

Posted on October 20, 2025 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

In this video, Simon ties a fantastic fall searching nymph pattern. October Caddis are a large species of caddisfly that hatches in many places out west. This is a hatch that both anglers and trout alike are excited for. The … Continue reading →

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

Pearl Rib Eggdrop Caddis

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Late in the summer and early fall is when several caddisfly species make their emergence out West. As the weeks tick on by, we find more species of caddisflies in our stream side vegetation. In this video, Simon ties up … Continue reading →

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

Simon’s Irresistible Ant

Posted on October 5, 2025 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

In this video, Simon ties a simple, but effective ant pattern. As summer progresses into fall, ants become more and more of a staple in trout’s diets. This is especially pertinent on small streams, spring creeks, and high alpine lakes. … Continue reading →

Posted in Fly Tying Materials and Supplies, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, Oregon High Lakes, Stillwater Fishing, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Simon’s Creek Surveyor

Posted on September 24, 2025 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

In this video, Simon shares a great terrestrial pattern he developed with dry dropper setups in mind. This pattern was born out of a need for a small, buoyant dry fly that could suspend a tungsten nymph below it. When … Continue reading →

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

September Trout Fishing Report

Posted on September 15, 2025 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

We are nearing the end of the dreaded summer period where things are a bit too hot for a trout’s liking. Hot air and water temperatures reduce waters efficacy at holding oxygen, this in turn produces both stressed and lethargic … Continue reading →

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

Simon’s Simple Beetle

Posted on August 27, 2025 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

In this video, Simon ties an awesome late summer beetle pattern. Beetles and other terrestrials make up a large portion of a trout’s diet in the summer. This pattern is tied with a hi-vis wing to aid in visibility from … Continue reading →

Posted in Eastern Oregon, Fly Tying, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 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

Thumper Thigh Hopper

Posted on August 19, 2025 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

In this video, Simon ties a fantastic realistic hopper that should be in your box this summer. This pattern offers a realistic, yet durable construction. Sometimes the issue with more realistic looking flies is that they are delicate and cannot … Continue reading →

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

Riversmith Convoy Gear Roll Review

Posted on August 6, 2025 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Every year in the industry we see new products come out. Many of them are only slight variations of their competitors. Generally, when a good product is made it can only be tweaked and improved so much. The only way … Continue reading →

Posted in Fly Fishing Gear Review, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, Oregon Fly Fishing Tips, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jigged Grape Ape: Tying Tutorial

Posted on August 4, 2025 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

In this video, Simon ties a great versatile dropper that can be ran below buoyant dry flies across the country. He sought out to develop an attractor style pattern that can mimic a wide range of aquatic foods, while also … Continue reading →

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

Backcountry Skinz Review and Buying Guide

Posted on July 30, 2025 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Often in the industry we see small updates and improvements to already existing products. Every once in a while something entirely new surfaces that changes the way we fish forever. Backcountry Skinz were born out of the rugged New Zealand … Continue reading →

Posted in Fly Fishing Gear Review, Fly Fishing Travel, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, Oregon Coastal Fly Fishing, Oregon Fly Fishing Tips, Oregon Saltwater Fishing, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment