Body Quill Mayfly Nymph Fly Tying Video Instructional Video

Posted on October 16, 2015 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Veevus fly tying threads are not the only fine tying material the Denmark based company produces. Body Quill is a thinly woven body material that is perfect for small nymphs and dry flies. In this video Chris Scott demonstrates how to use the Body Quill material when tying sparse and fast sinking mayfly nymph.

veevus-body-quill-nymph

Body Quill Mayfly Nymph

Hook: TMC 2457 #12
Bead: Tungsten 1/8”
Thread White GSP 150
Tail: Pheasant Tail Fibers or Brown Hackle
Body: Veevus Body Quill Brown
Wing Case: Pheasant Tail fibers
Thorax: UV Tan Ice Dub
Legs Pheasant Tail Fibers

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies | Leave a comment

Catch Magazine Finds the McKenzie River

Posted on October 14, 2015 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Todd Moen from Catch Magazine was on his way over to the Neil Young concert the other day and took a few super cool photos. I thought I would share this unique perspective on one of my favorite stretches of river anywhere!

upper mckenzie river fly fishing

guided fly fishing trip eugene oregon

mckenzie river fly fishing trips

fall fly fishing on the McKenzie River

fly fishing the Mckenzie River Caddis Fly Shop Guide Service

Posted in Fishing Porn | 1 Comment

“Christmas Islandish” Bonefish Fly Tying Video

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

This is the time of year when new fly tying materials hit the shelf and we get to create new and interesting twists to old proven patterns. The video above uses the super cool Hareline Double Pupil Eyes for the eyes on the fly. I can remember when Randall Kaufman had Umpqua Feather Merchants hand painting lead eyes for the Christmas Island Special, you couldn’t buy these eyes then but could buy the finished fly. Double Pupil Eyes fix this availability issue and add a tremendous selection of sizes and colors. The other really cool material this fly utilizes is a Coyote Mask. Each mask has a great variety of color, ties in beautifully and breathes when wet. The natural variance of the Coyote Mask makes it perfect for numerous streamers and bonefish patterns. Finally the Veevus Iris or Iridescent Thread, which has so many applications, is used for the body on the very sparse Christmas Island Special. Veevus Iridescent thread is going to be great for slender nymphs and streamer bodies.

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Chartreuse X-Mas Island Special

Hook: TMC 811S #4
Thread Veevus 6/0 Chartreuse
Tail Krystal Flash Limegreen/Chartreuse
Body Veevus Iridescent Thread/Braid Chartruese
Eyes Double Pupil Eyes Chartruese White Pupil
Legs: Micro Silicon Legs Clear W/Fl. Orange Tips
Wing: Coyote Mask/Krystal Flash

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Williamson River Fly Fishing Report

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Williamson River fishing

John Bauer of Bauer Fly Reels invited me down to the Williamson River with he and guide Marlon Rampy this past week. It was a phenomenal day! One of those classic Oregon fall days where you get a little bit of everything. Freezing cold hands in the morning but by afternoon all the layers had been shed.

We fished swung flies, nymphed deep and shallow and we even had some dry fly fishing late in the afternoon, as I said earlier it was a great day! Marlon Rampy of flyfishoregon.com is a superb guide and knows every slot and ledge in the Williamson. Marlon was extremely helpful, making sure our drifts were in the correct zone throughout the day.

williamson river fly fishing

I hadn’t been to the Williamson in quite a few years and I greatly underestimated it’s water quality and character. It has such a unique variety of water. In one run you are swinging a tailout that looks like the North Umpqua. In the next you are fishing a fast run that has a “freestone” feel about it, another a weed bed bottom that resembles the Henry’s Fork. It was the waters variety and varied tactical approach that were so interesting and enjoyable for me.

Posted in Fishing Reports | 1 Comment

October Caddis Time on the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

fly fishing the mckenzie river fall

The fish are definitely looking up for October Caddis patterns on the McKenzie and Willamette rivers. Fishing has been really good of late using Morrish’s Foam October Caddis and Kingrey’s Better Foam Caddis. Twitching and skating this pattern from fast flows to a bit softer edges of currents has been deadly.

morrish-foam-caddis

kingrey's-better-foam-caddis

The Willamette River near Oakridge is really low and very “wadable” in many areas. A couple of really productive spots are Black Canyon Campground and Greenwaters Park — walk down stream to the Salmon Creek confluence. Best fishing between 11am and 5pm.

fishing the mckenzie river in fall caddisflyshop.com

It’s been a pretty tough year for steelhead on the Willamette this year but if you were going to give it a shot the next week is pretty ideal. Water conditions are great, around 800 fish came over Willamette Falls in the month of September and the fishing pressure has been all but zero.

Enjoy the beautiful fall weather!

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Natural Selections Art Exhibit Begins October 9th

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

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Our friend Analee Fuentes will have her Northwest fish paintings on display at Jacob’s Gallery starting October 9th, 2015. The reception starts at 5:30pm and all are welcome to come enjoy some beautiful fish inspired art. You can see more of Analee’s work here: http://analeefuentes.com/series-natural.htm

Posted in Oregon Fly Fishing Clubs and Events | Leave a comment

New Partridge Attitude and Attitude Extra Fly Hooks

Posted on October 6, 2015 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog
New Partridge Attitude and Attitude Extra Fly Hooks

New Partridge
Attitude and Attitude Extra Fly Hooks

Anyone who was addicted to the TMC 700 fly hooks and lamented the passing of that fine fly hook should pay particular note to these new fly hooks from Partridge, the Attitude Streamer Hook and the Attitude Extra Hook.

These hooks are of particular interest to tiers who prefer a straight Ring Eye Hook over a Turned-up or down eye. This means us Clouser and Comet tiers as well as anyone tying streamers, and various baitfish patterns.

Jay Nicholas Partridge Attitude Fly Hooks

Partridge Attitude & Extra Fly Hooks

The Attitude is a fine wire hook with micro-barb that is easy to flatten. the shank is called a long shank but it looks like a standard shank to me. I have tied and fished Comets and Clousers on this hook as well as the Attitude Extra and find that I prefer the Attitude for my Comet flies and the Attitude Extra for my Clousers.

The photo above shows the sizes I use most (2s and 4s) and illustrates the shorter and stouter wire on the Attitude Extra Hook.

Overall, I’m impressed with these hooks, realizing that I am positively biased in favor of straight ring-eye hooks so I liked these from the first time I put them in my vise.

Partridge Attitude Hook

Partridge Attitude Hook

Partridge Attitude Extra Hook

Partridge Attitude Extra Hook

These hooks penetrate well and hold up to serious pressure with Chinook tugging on the end of my line. Consider giving these a whip finish or so and see what you think.

Jay Nicholas, October 2015

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies | 1 Comment

Eugene Springfield Healing Waters Chapter Meets this Tuesday October 6th 2015

Posted on October 4, 2015 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

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WHEN: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. every 1st Tuesday of the month starting Oct. 2015

WHERE: Moose Lodge, 2011 Laura St. Springfield. OR 97477

All experience levels of fishing desired, weather you have never touched or seen anything about fly fishing and want to know more, or are a seasoned angler and capable of passing your knowledge on the those that can use it. Some of the activities to be expected are fly tying, rod building, guest professional speakers, casting instruction, and on water sponsored fishing trips. So if you are interested and would like to participate or volunteer please contact Chris or Moon listed below and we will ensure you are taken care of.

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities including education and outings.

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, receives no government funding and is dependent on tax-deductible, charitable donations and the help of numerous volunteers to meet the educational, equipment, transportation, and related needs of its participants.

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. strives to effectively serve the deserving past and present members of our armed forces who have made great sacrifices in the service of our nation.

Contact Info:
Program Lead: Chris Matthews
Email: chris.matthews.phwff@gmail.com

Assistant Program Lead: Moon Mullen
Email: moon@centurylink.net

Posted in Oregon Conservation News, Oregon Fly Fishing Clubs and Events | 1 Comment

Two Fly Tourney This Weekend 10% of Sales This Friday Go to McKenzie River Trust

Posted on October 2, 2015 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

McKenzie Two-Fly

This years Two Fly Tournament kicks off this Friday. As part of the events fund raising we are donating 10% of our sales this Friday to the McKenzie River Trust. Come by, have a beer, spend a bunch and support a great non profit land trust. All Friday October 2nd 2016.

Two_Fly_2014

Posted in Fly Fishing Contests | Leave a comment

The Redsides October Meeting

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

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Monday, October 5th, McMenamins North Bank 22 Club Rd. Eugene, Oregon

The general meeting will start at 7:00PM and the public is welcome. The board meeting will follow directly after the general meeting and TU members are welcome to attend.

Summer is over and It’s time to ramp up the TU meetings again. And on that note we would like to invite everyone to our fall kick off. Also there are some new things in the works from the Redsides this year, including something near and dear to my heart. Our chapter is sponsoring two new Project Healing Waters Fly-fishing chapters. One down in Roseburg headed up by Jeff McEnroe (fish biologist for BLM) and our Eugene/Springfield chapter headed up Chris Matthews ( he is also our new education chair). We have some things to get done, some things to discuss and some exciting trips and volunteer opportunities to come.

And with that, we would like to invite you to our first presentation on Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing.
Chris Matthews will be giving an in depth and informative presentation on PHWFF. How it began, where it began, how and why we choose to begin our local program, what our mission is, how you can help, and will be answering any questions you may have. Also we will have a special guest Chris Hubert from the Phoenix Arizona PHWFF on hand.

So mark it on the calendar, and see you there.

Posted in Oregon Conservation News, Oregon Fly Fishing Clubs and Events | 1 Comment

October Caddis Time on the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

mckenzie river fly fishing fall 2015

October Caddis have been out in the late afternoon and evenings in low numbers for the past week. Yesterday they started earlier and were more numerous. Look for more of these bugs to be out in the coming couple of weeks and for fish to key on them.

Two of our favorite dry fly patterns are Kingrey’s Better Foam Caddis and Morrish’s Foam October Caddis.

kingrey's-better-foam-caddis

morrish-foam-caddis

Here are a bunch of October Caddis fly tying videos we have done over the years.

Tube October Caddis

Extended Body October Caddis

Coastal October Caddis

October Caddis Wet

October Caddis Pupae

Posted in Fishing Reports, Fly Tying | Leave a comment

Postcards from PC to the Caddis Fly Shop

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog
Long tail sea lice on Chinook salmon

Long tail sea lice on Chinook salmon

September 2015:

Dear Friends, the days are shorter now than back in June, and there is so much going on that it is nearly daunting to try to explain it all so in stead – here are some photo images of the local goings on.

Best wishes to you all, come visit sometime, you will have a great adventure!

Jay Nicholas

Must be a spinner bite at the Bridge.

Must be a spinner bite at the Bridge.

Brian was happy with this king.

Brian was happy with this king!

Crabbing remains very most excellently good.

Crabbing remains very most excellently good.

Tying Flies and sketching at 3 AM.

Tying Flies and sketching at 3 AM.

Nice salmon released by Rob.

Nice salmon released by Rob.

Red Kulper and bullhead.

Red Kulper and bullhead.

First, angler hooks salmon on Kwikfish. Second, seal takes salmon from angler. third, seal eats salmon, carefully refraining from the dangerous parts! Finally, angler finds kwikfish and gulls floating by in the estuary. Had to see it to believe it.

First, angler hooks salmon on Kwikfish. Second, seal takes salmon from angler. third, seal eats salmon, carefully refraining from the dangerous parts! Finally, angler finds kwikfish and gulls floating by in the estuary. Had to see it to believe it.

Motoring off to chase a king.

Motoring off to chase a king.

Bye Bye for now, hope for the best every time you are on the water. 

 

 

 

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New Double Pupil Lead Eyes from Hareline

Posted on September 26, 2015 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

I know, some of our readers are begging for mercy, because three posts on Clouser Eyes is nearly too much fun to endure.

New Hrareline Double Pupil Lead Eyes.

New Hrareline Double Pupil Lead Eyes.

True enough, but these Double Pupil Lead Eyes from Hareline are impressive critters and many of our readers who obsess over the details of their flies will want to explore these beauties in 8 colors and 4 sizes!

Here is our standard king salmon Clouser tied with the but one of the 32 possible color/size options for these nice new eyes.

Kindly note: the finish on these eyes and the intricate paint/enamel work is impressive, the nicest eyes I have ever seen on a heavy lead base.  From x-small to large, these babies will find a home on my flies for this and successive seasons.

Securing Hareline Double Pupil Eyes to partridge Attitude Extra hook.

Securing Hareline Double Pupil Eyes to partridge Attitude Extra hook.

Top view Hareline Double Pupil Lead Eyes - hit it with Zap Brush on to secure.

Top view Hareline Double Pupil Lead Eyes – hit it with Zap Brush on to secure.

White buck tail belly with hint of hot pink Fluoro Fibre at throat secured front and rear of eyes.

White buck tail belly with hint of hot pink Fluoro Fibre at throat secured front and rear of eyes.

Adding the traditional chartreuse buck tail back on the Clouser to finish the fly.

Adding the traditional chartreuse buck tail back on the Clouser to finish the fly.

Our three Clousers tied with Double Pupil Lead Eyes (left), BalzEyes (center), and Pseudo Eyes (right) - all from our friends at Hareline.

Our three Clousers tied with Double Pupil Lead Eyes (left), BalzEyes (center), and Pseudo Eyes (right) – all from our friends at Hareline.

Three new Clouser eyes in morning coastal sunshine.

Three new Clouser eyes in morning coastal sunshine.

Have fun, fellow fly tyers; we now have more options to ponder when tying our flies.

Post Script: sorry to repeat, but the finish and detail work on these eyes is absolutely amazing, and I am not going to be satisfied with my old eyes after seeing these and fishing them.

Jay Nicholas, September, 2015.

 

 

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies | Leave a comment

2015 McKenzie River Two Fly Tournament Prizes

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Mckenzie river August 2015

This years Two Fly Tournament to benefit the McKenzie River Trust has received some sweet prizes. Thanks so much to Hatch Fly Reels, Costa Sun Glasses, and Echo Fly Rods for contributing. Costa has even helped out with hats, cleaning cloths and sun glass retainers for the guides.

Print

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First Place Boat: Hatch 5+ Reel for each of the winner
Second Place Boat: A pair of Costa Del Mar polarized shades for each participant.
Third Place Boat: An Echo Glass Fly Rod for each participant

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Lower McKenzie Fly Fishing Heating Up

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Cooler weather has the fishing on the lower McKenzie improving.

Thanks to Andrew Shipman for this report.

Hi Chris – Quick report on the lower McKenzie. Couple buddies and I were able to get out of our father responsibilities and hit the river Sunday, we floated Bellinger to Armitage. Low river levels persisted & the sun was out so we focused on deeper green runs, running two nymph rigs (mega-prince, posse bugger, various jigged nymphs, Caddis emergers, etc.). We were hoping the recent shot of rain would help the river. There was little to no surface activity all day, but fishing was good. The third time fly fisherman caught: redsides, cutthroat, whitefish, & a 19 inch sucker, but no steelhead…it took two semi-tow trucks to land this redside:

lower-mckenzie-river-fly-fishing

See you at the two-fly. Andrew

(Camera settings were totally “bleeped-up”, don’t let 3 year old twins play with your camera. Some redsides seems ‘skinny’ and were quickly released.)

lower mckenzie fly fishing

Posted in Fishing Reports, McKenzie River | 1 Comment