Local Trout Unlimited Chapter Activities

mckenzie river redside

Eugene and Corvallis Trout Unlimited Chapters are gaining steam and need your support in their conservation efforts. The Eugene Redsides Chapter and the Corvallis Bluebacks are having meetings and events outlined below.

October meeting

Monday, October 13th, Rogue Ales Public House (lower level), 844 Olive St, Eugene —

The Redsides October meeting will be held in the lower level of the Rogue Ales Public House on October 13th. The board meeting is at 6:00PM and all members are welcome to attend. The general meeting starts at 7:00PM and is open to the general public.

This month’s presentation will be given by Jared Weybright, Project Coordinator McKenzie Watershed Council. Jared will give an overview of the watershed and discuss specific projects, rehabilitation and improvements throughout the watershed.

There is usually street parking available, but there is also a parking garage in the 900 block of Charnelton that is free after 6:00PM. It’s an easy 2-block walk to Rogue.

DarksideIF4Ad

The Corvallis-based Blueback Chapter of Trout Unlimited is at it again, hosting the International Fly Fishing Film Festival at the Whiteside Theatre on Saturday, October 11th. Doors open at 7pm (but get there early, as the line at F3T was pretty massive by the time the doors swung open), movie starts at 8pm. This year, adult beverages will be served upstairs at the Whiteside, with the lower level reserved for families. Upstairs, the Bluebacks will be joined by Ninkasi Brewing Company, Nectar Creek Honeymead, 4 Spirits Distillery, Vivacity Spirits, and other local beverage makers to ensure everyone has a great time at the film.

Tickets are $10 advanced, available online by clicking here, or $15 at the door. All proceeds from the event will benefit coldwater fisheries conservation in Oregon. To learn more about the Bluebacks, their chapter meetings, and upcoming events, see www.bluebacks.org.

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

Oregon Albacore Highlights Part 1

Fishing the trolled and cast fly for Albacore offshore Oregon this year has been fantastic.

Fantastic means that something is going on all the time, I learn something new every time out, we see porpoise, whales, sharks, sunfish, jellyfish, and sometimes even jumping Albacore.

Fishing for these sleek speedsters can be desperately slow at times, because we 1) can’t find the fish, 2) can’t find the right fly to entice a grab, or 3) the fish just aren’t on the eat.  But when Albacore are receptive to the fly, action can be furious.

These fish are strong and fast, take a lot of line, and you will work hard to get them to the boat. It is nothing unusual to see well over two hundred yards of backing plus fly line disappear on their first run.  With fish ranging from a little under twenty to a little over thirty pounds, – wow, what fun fly rod fish.

I’ve been playing with a GoPro camera this year, with very mixed results.  A few moments on the memory card here allow me to share a tiny fraction of the fun we have experienced, from porpoise, to a double on the fly.

There will be time to blog about tackle and technique later, after the flies are tied and the season is over.  here are the basics:

Rods: twelve wts are the right size.  The only ten wt I have found practical to fish for Albacore is the Echo PRIME one piece rod.  Most of ten wt fly rods just don’t have the lifting power you will want.  A new SAGE SALT rod is a perfect match for Albies, and I have pulled hard on this rod with Albacore pulling right back.

Reels:  I have been consistently fishing a Hatch 9 and a Hatch 11.  Of these two reels, I prefer the 11 because of its deep backing capacity and larger diameter to increase my retrieve speed.  There are many very good reels out there, but I don’t own them all – yet (ha ha).

Lines:  Fast Sinking lines have been my best producers both trolling and casting.  The AIRFLO Big Game Depth Finder and RIO Leviathan are longer lines (about 150 ft) and have a stronger core.  The long length allows you to get the line on the reel sooner and the core means you stress your line less.  I’m fishing 25 lb fluorocarbon leaders and most normal fly lines have cores in the 30-35 lb strength range which means there isn’t much difference between your leader and your fly line.  The SA Streamer express has also performed well for me too, but I have not researched the core strength on this line.  That said, my friends have fished the RIO Striper lines and Custom Cut t-14 lines by both RIO and AIRFLO and done just fine fishing 20 lb Maxima UltraGreen leaders.

Flies?  All of the Albacore flies that have been featured recently in our video series have produced, plus clousers as long as 7-inches.  There will be times when the Albies seem to want smaller flies and times when the bigger flies seems to be more effective.

Enough for now, I hope this little video clip allows you to share a tiny fraction of the fun we have been having offshore.

Jay Nicholas, September 2014

Posted in Oregon Saltwater Fishing | 1 Comment

Silvey’s Tandem Tube Fly Tying Video

Bruce Berry from Pro Sportfisher demonstrates how to utilize one Pro Tube 40/40 tube to tie 3 Silvey’s Tandem Tube patterns.

The Tandem Tube is a deadly all season steelhead tube fly.

Silvey's Tandem Tube a solid fall performer

Silvey’s Tandem Tube Fly

Tube: Flexi Tube 40/40
Thread: Black 6/0
Wing/Tail: Black Rabbit
Flash: Lateral Scale
Hackle: Kingfisher Blue Schlappen
Hackle 2: Black Schlappen
Cone: Silver Large Pro Cone

Posted in Fly Fishing Travel, Fly Tying | Leave a comment

Middle Fork Willamette Steelhead Fishing

The Middle Fork Willamette was a great steelhead fishery for us this Summer; however, it remains an option through the Fall as well.  With well over 20,000 fish over the falls this year, numbers are good and now is still a great time to catch a steelhead on the Willamette.  The Fall is a beautiful time on the Willamette: the leaves are changing, the river runs cooler, and cloudier days create awesome steelhead fishing weather.  With cooler air temperatures, the water temperatures drop as well which means fishing can be good from dawn to dusk, especially when clear skies are not in the forecast.  Also, as the weather cools, It seems the fish will hold in more of the glassier, calmer runs rather than the shallow “riffly” ones that are spots we frequent during the dog days of Summer.
Anywhere downstream from Dexter Dam through town is where a majority of the fish are.  While you can still fish floating lines with traditional wet flies with good results, using a light sink tip with an articulated leech pattern remains the most consistent method in my opinion.  The Fall trout fishing can be good too, so don’t always let the spey rod have all the fun…bring the 5 wt along!
There is a lot of great “walk-in” access for steelhead on the Willamette.  While floating the river will always present the most opportunity, don’t be hesitant to hit the river if you don’t have a boat.  There is a ton of great water from Dexter Dam downstream to explore on foot.  Get out there and enjoy some fine Fall fishing!
Posted in Fishing Porn, Fishing Reports, Lower Willamette, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing | 5 Comments

Montana Fall 2014

Mad 3

Took some time off and headed out to Big Sky Country. So far we have fished Rock Creek, Clark Fork, Beaverhead and the Upper Madison rivers. I now understand why so many anglers come to this great fishery. If the fishing is off, just head over the hill to another spectacular river. Overall, except for the Beaverhead (extremely low flows) the fishing has been good. It’s been big streamer time here and we have not been disappointed. Our next stop is between the lakes and Island Park. Here is some fresh fish porn and I hope to get more up before we return next week.

Ken 2

We are finding browns stripping streamers along the cut banks.

Ken 1

Mad 1

Mad 2

LV

Posted in Fishing Porn, Fishing Reports, Fly Fishing Travel | Leave a comment

Bluebacks Hosting IF4 in Corvallis on October 11th

DarksideIF4Ad

The Corvallis-based Blueback Chapter of Trout Unlimited is at it again, hosting the International Fly Fishing Film Festival at the Whiteside Theatre on Saturday, October 11th. Doors open at 7pm (but get there early, as the line at F3T was pretty massive by the time the doors swung open), movie starts at 8pm. This year, adult beverages will be served upstairs at the Whiteside, with the lower level reserved for families. Upstairs, the Bluebacks will be joined by Ninkasi Brewing Company, Nectar Creek Honeymead, 4 Spirits Distillery, Vivacity Spirits, and other local beverage makers to ensure everyone has a great time at the film.

Tickets are $10 advanced, available online by clicking here, or $15 at the door. All proceeds from the event will benefit coldwater fisheries conservation in Oregon. To learn more about the Bluebacks, their chapter meetings, and upcoming events, see www.bluebacks.org.

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

September fishing at Crane Prairie Reservoir

Crane Prairie Reservoir can fish well into October, so don’t shy away from the lakes even though the leaves have started to Fall!

I headed out to Crane Prairie earlier this week to get my late Summer lake fix and forgot how much fun fishing at Crane Prairie can be. While the fishing was by no means “red hot” as it can be during the heart of Summer, we still found some awesome “Cranebows” that were willing to eat the chironomid. We focused our efforts in the channels where the water is deeper than the rest of the lake. With the water as low as it is right now, it is important to fish the drop-offs and troughs where a majority of the fish hold.

We fished with juju chironomids , ice cream cones, and various callibaetis nymphs suspended under a strike-slip indicator about 1-2 feet off of the bottom of the lake. We caught fish on both the chironomid and the calli nymph, so be sure to have both if you head out there. The fishing got significantly better once the afternoon wind picked up and the lake got a bit choppy. I think this gets the bite going because it gives your flies a bit of movement as they sit suspended off of the bottom.

To ensure you are fishing your flies at the correct depth, tie on a fly to the end of your leader, then tightly attach your forceps to the fly and drop it to the bottom. This will give you an idea of the depth in the channel and you can rig accordingly. I also recommend fluorocarbon tippet in these low, clear water conditions.

Cranebows put up a fight!

Until the weather cools down significantly (in about a month or so), Crane Prairie remains an option. Be sure to head out there and get your last dose of Lake fishing in before it gets too late!

Posted in Central Oregon Fishing Report | Leave a comment

Help Preserve Salmon Habitat on Lake Creek October 4th, 2014

weed pull on hwy 36

Beyond Toxics has an official partnership with ODOT signing a contract to keep 8 miles of Hwy 36 around Triangle Lake pesticide free and protect salmon in their natural habitat. We need to get a group of 20 people together to help pull invasive weeds. October 4th 10am – 4pm.

weed pull

This area has historically been one of the largest salmon fisheries in the state of Oregon. There are two invasive weeds (Scotch broom and Knap weed) that are needing to be removed rather than poisoned. Beyond Toxics is looking for your help in protecting our environment and clean running rivers that support a vibrant salmon habitat. We are looking for a group to join us on October 4, 2014.

Please contact Beyond Toxics at 541-465-8860 to get involved

Fb Page https://www.facebook.com/events/329814540513178/

Posted in Oregon Conservation News | Leave a comment

Wild Reverence Showing in Eugene

wild reverence poster

On Tuesday, October 7th at Hop Valley Brewing (901 W. 1st Ave., Eugene), join staff and members of the Native Fish Society along with film maker Shane Anderson for a showing of “Wild Reverence- The Wild Steelhead’s Last Stand” from North Fork Studios.

“Wild Reverence” tells the story of Shane’s journey up and down the West Coast, interviewing some of today’s leading experts on steelhead biology, the threats they face, and the obstacles that stand in the way of their recovery.

Hop Valley has generously committed to donating $1 per beer sold between 5 and 8pm to the efforts of Native Fish Society, and a silent auction sponsored by the Caddis Fly Shop will also benefit NFS. Come early for Happy Hour and the silent auction from 5-6:45pm, film starts at 7pm, and stick around after Wild Reverence is over for a Q&A with Shane and time to meet NFS staff, River Stewards, and others involved in steelhead conservation and recovery. Big thanks to McKenzie River Steward Brent Ross for all the work in bringing Wild Reverence to Eugene, and the Caddis Fly for supporting wild fish conservation.

See you at Hop Valley!

KS

Posted in Oregon Conservation News | Leave a comment

Willamette River Clean Up – October 4th 2014

2014 GWCU Poster

Get Signed Up for a Cleanup Site: Volunteers get a free-shirt and earn enough river karma to last a year. There will be over 20 sites throughout the valley, with opportunities to Bring Your Own Boat (a whole new take on BYOB) or reserve a seat with one of our outfitters to get on the water. If you’d prefer to walk, we’ve got you covered too!

After-Parties:

This year we’ll come together at three post-cleanup locations to rejoice in our good deeds, regale each other with our trash-y stories, nosh and imbibe. All after-parties will occur from 1-3pm.

Eugene @ Alton-Baker Park. Pedal Power Music, brews from the local favorites (Oakshire & Ninkasi Breweries), and food form Oakway Catering. Alton-Baker is at 100 Day Island Rd, Eugene, OR 97401

Albany/Corvallis @ Calapooia Brewery 140 NE Hill St, Albany, OR 97321

Portland @ Willamette Riverkeeper Headquarters Tours of Willamette Riverkeeper’s office and the Portland Boathouse. Food from Elephants Delicatessen and Sierra Nevada on tap at our in-building bar & coffeehouse. We are at 1515 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

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

Lady Gaga Marabou Tube Fly Tying Video

Bruce Berry from Pro Sport Fisher, Hatch, and Beulah Fly Rods stopped by the shop recently. After we had a look at the new gear Bruce sat down to tie a couple of flies. The Lady Gaga Marabou Tube is Bruce’s take on the popular steelhead pattern. He ties it on a Pro Tube 40/40 tube and demonstrates how to “roll” marabou.

Enjoy!

Bruce Berry from Beulah rods and Pro tube tying flies at the shop today

Lady Gaga Marabou Tube Fly

Tube: 40/40 Flexi tube Pink
Thread: Black 6/0 Veevus
Body: Veevus Tinsel/Thread
Rear Bump: Hot Pink Pro Opossum
Hackle 1 : Pink Marabou
Hackle 2: Kingfisher Blue Marabou
Wing: Royal Blue Marabou
Flash: Copper Flashabou
Collar: Black Schlappen
Cone: Black Pro Cone Large

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

McKenzie River Two Fly Tournament 2014

guided fly fising on the mckenzie river

This years Two Fly Tournament is setting up pretty sweet! Much like last year, we have had a bit of a “freshen up” of our waters, and the weather is ideal. The entire McKenzie is fishing great with excellent water levels and numerous hatches on the menu.

We have a full crew of anglers and guides for this years tournament and we are on pace to raise more than $5000 for the McKenzie River Trust. I will give a complete wrap up on the results next week.

This year we are taking it a step further by donating 10% of our sales on Friday the 26th to the trust. If you have a planned purchase and want to help out MRT come on by the shop.

wild mckenzie river trout

For those participating here is a general schedule of events for this years tourney.
Friday Night 630pm at The Caddis Fly – Mazzi’s wood fired pizza, Ninkasi beer and tournament orientation.
Saturday 9-5pm fishing – Saturday night post fishing we will meet at Ninkasi’s new facility for Bill and Tim’s BBQ and results/awards.

Posted in Fly Fishing Contests, Oregon Conservation News | 1 Comment

Daiichi Black Ace Saltwater Hook Albacore Fly

New Daiichi Hook the Black Ace 3111 Saltwater Hook was put to the test the last 3 days out of Pacific City and it is a winner.  The fly above caught tuna on the cast and strip retrieve and has earned a place in my box.

No video here, but here are the steps to construct this fly and I’m guessing it will catch many species of saltwater fish in addition to our Albacore.  Pardon the rush, but I’ve got fishing to do.

Hook in vise, this is the magnum head of my Regal and essential for a 6/0 hook size.

The lower portion of the belly is EP Sparkle Brush in Pearl Magic.

Ok, follow please secure the following in order from bottom to top:  first, Brush ‘N Wing #01 White; #12 Violet Night;, #11 Herring Back or #20 Peacock.  Top with Krystal Flash #13 Mixed Colors.  Add Lateral Scale #1733 on both sides.

Oh yeah, I tie with Danville’s .006 Monofilament.

Tie off and press a pair of Super Pearl 5/16 inch eyes on both sides.  Dab Cure Goo ( I like the Tack Free Squeeze) between the eyes on top then repeat on bottom.  I use the Pro Plus lamp to set the goo.

the Upper fly lured several  Albacore over the last 3 days, and the lower fly is the one I tied for this photo shoot.

I have also had great success tying on Gamakatsu SL 12 and SC 15 2H hooks in sizes 3/0 to 6/0 this season.  Just wanted to share my appreciation of this new hook from Daiichi, it is a winner in my estimation.

Jay Nicholas September 2014

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

Fly Fishing the Ocean Offshore Oregon

I’ve had many opportunities to fly fish the ocean off Pacific City as guest of several great friends who own dories. One of these boats is a new Terry  Learned boat (The Fly Guy); one dates back to 1960 (the double ender Sea Breeze), and one is a 17970s era boat that was built by Paul Hanneman (a Kiwanda Klipper style boat that will probably be named the Clouser).

The Sea Breeze has been in  Rob Perkin’s family from day-one and is equipped with a  15-horse Mercury outboard in a motor well.  Launching and landing this double ender on the beach is a matter of two people rowing in synchrony.  Two times rowing out and one time rowing in under Rob’s tutelage was super fun in easy seas. Fly fishing for silvers has ranged from sketchy on occasion, good on many days, and great on a few days this year (when the season was open) We usually managed to hook silvers on both the the cast and trolled fly, and yes, there were Kings out there ready to take our fly too.

Silvers and Kings are wonderful fun on the fly rod, and very accessible too. I am still surprised that so many experienced ocean anglers scoff at the idea of fishing effectively for black sea bass, lingcod, and salmon with flies.  Oh well, salty fly fishing is indeed effective, it’s fun, and we’re helping open doors for folks who want to give it a try.

Never found anyone who didn’t have fun when they tried the fly in the ocean.  Not so far anyway.  And Albacore?  Wow, those are beyond exciting fish on the fly rod.

Dory fishing is very personal, nothing at all like the big charter boat experience.

A dory offers fly fishing challenges in close quarters.  Rob handles the boat navigation, fishes, catches fish, runs the motor, nets fish, works the fish box, and more.  Me?  I sit down much of the time, working the fly rod and casting from the seated position. I also try to take a few photos and always have a great experience.  Day after day  I return to the beach saying that I had my “best day ever” on the ocean.  These BEST DAY classifications have little to do with numbers of fish – mostly they are about good friends, new ocean conditions experienced, new flies to fish,  and a lot of new memories.

The boat’s captain must run the boat and fish at the same time, not easy – ever.

But the rewards are spectacular.

It is always good to get back safe to the beach each day.  My most heartfelt thanks to all my friends for hauling me out to sea in their dories.  I appreciate every opportunity to fly fish in the ocean.

Jay Nicholas September  2014

Posted in Oregon Salmon fly fishing, Oregon Saltwater Fishing | 6 Comments

Purple Zonker Intruder Fly Tying Video

When you need to get the fly down, whether it is during a high, off colored flow in the winter months or if you are trying to swing a deep pool when the water is low, this fly will do the trick. The fly has a combination of materials that allow it to keep maximum profile and it wiggles like crazy. When fishing this fly I like to pair it with an Airflo Skagit Intermediate Line and sink tip of choice depending on the water you’re fishing.

Bunny_Intruder_Purple

Purple Zonker Intruder Recipe

Thread: 10/O Veevus Black
Shank: Waddington 30mm
Hook: Mustad Drop Shot Sz. 1 or Gamakatsu Octopus Hooks
Eyes: Hareline Nickle Plated Lead Eyes
Butt: Light Pink UNI Yarn

Body Material:

Hareline Krystal Flash Purple

Hareline Ostrich Herl Purple

Hareline Extra Select Marabou Purple

• Jungle Cock for dressing (consider using the Hareline Real Fake Jungle Cock as a cost effective alternative)
Wing: Hareline Rabbit Zonker Strip Purple and Black
Flash: Hareline Krystal Flash Purple
Head: Cross Cut Rabbit Black

Thomas Ranger

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