Category Archives: Proven Spring Fly Patterns

March Brown CDC Bubble Back Cripple

We are still seeing phenomenal hatches of March Browns into April, which isn’t too uncommon. On especially overcast days, March Brown Duns can be found emerging in longer pools with fish sipping them in the tailouts. When these hatches are … Continue reading

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jigged Grannom Caddis Pupa: Jigged Nymph/Soft Hackle Tutorial

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

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

Spent Grannom Caddis: Dry Fly Cripple Tutorial

In this video, Simon ties a proven Grannom or Mother’s Day Caddis Pattern. This hatch, especially in Oregon can be a finicky one, so having the right fly is really important. Grannoms often hatch in abundance, so fish have plenty … Continue reading

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

Long Awaited Early Spring Fishing Report

This Spring especially has been a finicky one for all of the things out of our control. Torrential downpours, low elevation snow melt, surprise flow changes out of our dams, spurts of hot weather, etc. have thrown not only us … Continue reading

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

Hackle Stacker March Brown Emerger Tutorial

In this video, Simon ties a fantastic March Brown emerger. He uses a hackle method called “hackle-stacking” to create a low-riding emerger that is suggestive of a struggling insect. This method creates a cleaner look than vertically palming a saddle … Continue reading

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

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

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

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

Clark’s Tying Yarn Twisted Body Salmonfly Fly Tying Instructional Video

In this video, Caddis Fly Shop Outfitters guide Justin Helm ties a very fishy salmonfly dry fly by twisting up a two-toned body made of Clark’s Yarn material. With many different colors now carried at the Caddis Fly Shop, now … Continue reading

Posted in Classes and Instruction, Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, Proven Spring Fly Patterns, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Jigged Stonefly Nymph Fly Tying Video

In this video, Justin ties a fantastic jigged stonefly pattern. The fly doesn’t have much bulk to it, and will sink like a stone for sure. Bouncing this stonefly off the river bottom on any nymph rig using nearly any … Continue reading

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