Category Archives: McKenzie River

April Community Night & Fly Tying Lessons

This coming Tuesday the 21st is our monthly Fly Fishing Community Night. Every month, our local community looks forward to gathering at our favorite brewery which has hosted us for over a year: Falling Sky Brewing. Beginners and experts alike … Continue reading

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Fly Spotlight: Fulling Mill’s Tactical Western March Brown Parachute

The March Brown hatch is known around the whole world, anglers and trout alike want patiently for the first large insect hatch of the year. Locally, in our Willamette Valley, that hatch can be prolific with fish carefully choosing which … Continue reading

Posted in Fishing Porn, Fly Fishing Gear Review, Fly Spotlight, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, Oregon Fly Fishing Tips, Proven Spring Fly Patterns, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Jigged Dinnerplate March Brown Tying Tutorial

Our weird winter and correspondingly strange spring have thrown our hatches off big time. We are full swing in the March Brown hatch; strange enough, the bugs seem a little late to the party. A few days ago, I was … Continue reading

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Navigation Update: Channels Below Belinger Ramp April 1st, 2026

Please see the three photos below, taken yesterday (March 31). The southernmost channel (left) is passable, but the low water makes for a bumpy ride. The middle channel is runnable, but only for experienced oarsmen. The northernmost channel (right) is … Continue reading

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Renzetti Comprehensive Buying Guide & Review of the Finest Vises on the Market

As winter rolls around each year anglers retreat back to the solitude of their tying bench. A sudden surge tying posts flood social media, and boom fly tying season has begun. For those who aren’t tiers yet, seeing this larger … Continue reading

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Fly Spotlight: Croston’s Jigged Full Metal Jacket from Fulling Mill

There few flies that are developed as general attractor patterns, but happen to really work for a very specific hatch. One of those patterns is Howard Croston’s Full Metal Jacket from our friends over at Fulling Mill for use fishing … Continue reading

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CDC Loop March Brown Wet Fly Tying Tutorial

The long awaited March Brown hatch each spring is notorious for having fantastic fishing swinging soft hackles. In this video, Simon ties a simple March Brown using one of Ahrex’s newer hooks, the LE880. March Browns have a tendency to … Continue reading

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

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

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February Community Night and Stillwater Guide Trip Raffle

Our February gathering is happening this month on the 17th at Falling Sky brewing. This month we have a special raffle that one of our Community Night veterans is generously donating. Adison of Soggy Waders Guide Service is donating one … Continue reading

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Realistic Blue Winged Olive Weightless Nymph

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

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Jigged Rabbit Collar Pheasant Tail Nymph

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

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

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

UPDATE now Two Obstructions on Lower and Upper McKenzie River

River left or the South channel exiting the “Powerline” flat below Bellinger is blocked. The lower river is one of the most dynamic sections of the river, with all the “post fire” wood in the river. We strongly advise against … Continue reading

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BWO Hot Tag Wet Fly Tying Video

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

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

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

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