Floated the middle fork below Dexter with my buddy Sean, his dad, and uncle, who
were in town for the holiday. Swinging a black Silvenator on a type 6 sink tip
landed these two fish. We also caught several nice cutthroats and whitefish
nymphing with the new Jigged Possies we have at the shop.
Get out there now
before the weather turns for the worse.
BF
With four Aussie’s and two Brit’s in the lodge at the moment we will be serving fish for dinner. Most likely there will be no discussion of Thanksgiving. Not a worry though as the BBQ has been out the past few nights! A new way to experience the holidays is underway, sunscreen on Thanksgiving anyone?
Had a great day out on the water yesterday, despite an easterly breeze we found the browns getting closer to the banks. Cicada’s were chirping in the bush as it warmed up considerably. Rain is scheduled for Saturday to give the rivers a little flush and reset, then back to Summer.
CD
November 22, 2013
Lane County Marine Patrol and the Oregon State Marine Board urge boaters who are hunting and fishing this time of year, to use extreme caution on the Willamette River at the Harrisburg Railroad Bridges near River Mile 163.
Lane County Marine Patrol recommends taking out at Hayes Boat Landing on Marshall Island, upstream of the bridges. As of today, only five feet of clearance exists between the bridges and the water; many types of watercraft will not be able to safely pass underneath. Temporary work bridges have a very low clearance, and as water levels fluctuate, can create a dangerous and/or impassable situation for boaters.
Hamilton Construction will install improved lighting to ensure that the construction zone is clearly visible both upstream and downstream during times of restricted visibility. They will also create warning signs, which will be posted at area boat ramps above and below the construction site.
Additionally, Hamilton Construction will be installing a river gauge at the bridge so that boaters already on the water can estimate the clearance before entering the main channel beneath the bridges.
From blog reader Jim Barfield in Grants Pass:
An article a couple of days ago in the Medford Mail Tribune by Mark Freeman, their outdoor reporter, states that a group of water-skiers have petitioned the State Marine Board to raise the speed limit on Applegate Lake above the current 10 mile per hour limit to allow water-skiing and personal watercraft. This is one of the few lakes in our region where you do not have to deal with the noise, wakes and pollution of boats going over 10 mph. It is also an outstanding trout, steelhead, salmon and warm water species fishery.
I would greatly appreciate it if you could bring this proposal to the attention of your blog readers and customers.There will be a public meeting at the Medford library, 205 S. Central ave. at 7 PM on December 16th. Letters opposing this proposal can be sent to June LeTarte, Rules Coordinator, 435 Commercial St. NE, Salem, 97301 and emails to osmb.rulemaking@state.or.us.
Cedar Lodge is a well-established New Zealand fly fishing lodge. When my wife and I purchased it in May of this year we were very confident in it’s fishing program and facilities. We knew of Cedar’s unique location, helicopter and recently upgraded guest rooms.
Dick and Robyn Fraser started the business in the late 70s in a very much rural part of the South Island. Until 1964 the road from Wanaka to the West coast (SH6) wasn’t even complete. The early stages of the lodge were based off of Dick’s fixed wing plane hobby and a “batch” (cabin) near some great water. The first rendition of the lodge was built in a weekend or two by Dick and his pals. That early structure of the lodge still stands and has been added to over the years to become the owner’s quarters (more on that later).
We knew we wanted to update and upgrade Cedar this spring and had about two weeks to get after it before guests arrived. Obviously the focus had to be on the newer lodge and property surrounding. But the list was long and of course we are still working and creating new lists as we go. Plans included, a new deck, new paint, all new furniture/furnishings for the lounge and dining area, new outside dining area, painting the “old lodge” or my families new home for the season, garden boxes, new kitchen in the old lodge, and much more. All this sounds doable and some of it got done in a timely fashion with the help of Brian Gustafson (worlds greatest traveling painter) and Paul Wright (Cedar’s head guide and gardener) and Bryson Fairlamb (Caddis fly team leader) but I have come to realize that nothing is easy and everything is expensive when you are as rural as Cedar Lodge. I have new found respect for the New Zealander who has finds a way to create and thrive on building things from “what’s on hand”. When sourcing is needed, being extremely organized for your one trip into “town” is vital. Having excellent relationships with your neighbors in the valley, your vendors, couriers and more are cursory to living and working in the “wop wops”.
Brian and I arrived first and began painting. Three and a half days later we began to unpack the new lodge furniture and started planning the new deck. Paul had already started to landscape around the dining are we had built in June and it just needed some finishing touches provide by neighbor Willy Aspenal in the form of giant rocks delivered with his tractor.
Brian is a builder at home but didn’t have his table saw in his luggage so we borrowed our cleaner Corrine’s. She also had a couple quality drills that we could not have done without. We had a drop saw in the hanger so it was just a matter of figuring out how much wood to buy. I have to give Brian kudos on his metric measurements. It was pretty funny to watch he and I hash out square meters for a deck. In the end we overcame our Imperial Measuring tendencies and Brian got it spot on in terms of quantities.
Next was sanding and painting lodge deck railings, doors, kids tree house and touch up where necessary.
Meanwhile back at our new house (the old lodge) I am coping with our water system. A basic “bore” system with pumps and a very rudimentary filter. The system is simple and the water table is extremely high, currently we have water at about 20 feet down the bore. But during this past winter leaves, and debris have found there way down through the bore and the whole system needed to be cleaned out and lined with a stainless tube. Neighbor Ferg is an engineer and the valley’s water system expert. He went and borrowed the local volunteer fire brigade’s truck. We pumped out the bore re-fastened pipes and ran the pump continuously for hours. A few days later the water came right.
It’s getting close to arrival date for your first guest now and my family is arriving on the 12th of November. Brian, Bryson and Paul are helping out on minor projects in the morning and fishing in the afternoon.
On the afternoon of the 15th our first guest arrived. We were up and running! The week went really well with very nice weather and incredibly kind and appreciative guests.
Week two is underway and we continue to settle into rural lodge ownership. There is always something to fix, update and improve on the property. I would love to say the transition from our home in Eugene has been seamless and easy but the fact is we have had our challenges. Starting a new, or taking over an existing business has it’s really satisfying days as well as it’s difficult ones.
Fishing has been good with rivers in great shape. We have been able to give quite a few rivers a look, and each day out we have seen improvements in terms of fish numbers. October was one of the wettest months on record for the area and the rivers have taken a bit of a hammering. I am hoping good weather is in store for us this early season and fishing continues to improve.
More updates to follow.
CD
This past May we purchased Cedar Lodge. On October 31st I packed my gear and headed south for the Winter. Cedar Lodge is on the South Island of New Zealand and we offer all inclusive heli fly out fishing to amazing rivers with big trout. The family joined me on November 12th and our first guests arrived the 15th. It’s been a little nuts lately with numerous projects, guiding, hosting and adapting to the “rural” lifestyle. I have been a bit out of touch on the blog but plan to fix that in the near term. Here are some photos from the last few weeks. I will give a full update on the goings on, upgrades, building projects, fishing, flies etc on Monday. Have a great weekend.
Flying in to Queenstown, it’s been a big snow year. It rained and snowed 25 days in October for much of the South Island. Plenty of water for a good summer of fishing.
My new drive from the grocery store, it never get’s old!
A stop at a local fruit and veggie stand/farm for fresh lodge food, the weather has been amazing in November.
Our new front yard!
Rainbows near the lodge.
Not a bad ride to work.
Happy guests is what it’s all about!
CD
Tony shows how to tie a quick and high floating Elk Hair Caddis. This simply fly can be tied in numerous colors and fishes throughout the season. Here are a few suggestions for our local waters.
Jan-March Black Foam Body Elk Hair Caddis #16-18
March-July Brown Foam Body Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, Green Foam Body Elk Hair Caddis #8-12
July-August Yellow Foam Body Elk Hair Caddis #12-18
August-October Tan Foam Body Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, Orange Foam Body Elk Hair Caddis #8-16
Foam Body Elk Hair Caddis
Thread: Veevus 10/0
Hook: TMC 100, sizes 10-18
Rib: 4x Mono
Body: Hareline Thin Fly Foam—Yellow
Hackle: Brown or Ginger Dry Fly Hackle
Wing: CDC or Elk Hair
In case you are wondering, yes bulk of the fall chinook run has yet to enter the Elk, Sixes and Chetco rivers so prospects are good if you are one of the crazies who pursue these magnificent fish. A commercial fisherman we know, recently caught a chinook about 3 miles off the Elk, with a fly in it. Yes, a chartreuse Comet no less. He has caught 2 other kings with single hooks or spinners that they encountered in the Elk or Sixes, and the fish must have just headed back out to sea. So yes, sometimes fish enter the rivers for good and some just drift in and then go back out again, a few carrying fish hooks acquired in the estuary. If you are planning to head south, we will have a fresh supply of salmon flies this Thursday afternoon, but you might want to call and reserve a few if you need them. Won’t last long, we’re guessing. Fly lines too might merit a day or so thought in case we need to get the line you need for the weekend, so let us know ASAP and we’ll get you covered with all the tackle you’ll need to make for the perfect salmon fishing weekend. JN
Purple has become one of the most successful trout colors in the west of late. Starting with the Purple Haze in the Rockies and the Purple Rooster locally we have had great luck with purple bodied flies. Maybe the steelhead and trout have been talking? In this video Tony demonstrates how to tie his Ice Dub Purple Rubber Legged Stimulator.
Tony’s Purple Stimulator
Thread: Black 10/0 Veevus
Hook: TMC 200R or 2312, Size 2-20
Tail: Cow Elk Hair
Rib: Small Silver Ultra wire
Body: Purple Ice Dub
Body Hackle: Brown Dry Fly Hackle
Wing: Cow Elk
Hackle: Grizzly Dry Fly Hackle
Thorax: Olive Ice Dub
Legs: Olive/Green Flake Barred Crazy Legs
Steelhead anglers are still getting results between the rain showers or weak storm fronts on our local streams. Although not the chrome of summer, these fish are still exhibiting a strong battle for those who “swing”. Anglers should keep a keen eye on river levels as we begin to see the first of our winter storms. There are not a bunch of the summer run left, but enough to keep some lucky anglers happy. It is still a bit early for winter steelhead and “those who know” should be tying up those egg patterns!
Here is Ty, avid steelheader, guide, and shop employee with his mom on one of our local streams. As usual, Mom knows best, and demonstrated her angling skills last week.
Just a few days ago, shop employee Andrew, took some time from studies to catch up on steelhead. Nice work!
LV
Dave Moskowitz was in the NY Times last week.
“Steelheading has definitely led me to give up on some relationships with women,” he said. “I know myself well, and I’m up front with people about what I like to do.”
Moskowitz got a plug in for his new organization, the Deschutes River Alliance, and Bill Bakke and the Native Fish Society.
Speaking of NFS, Executive Director Mike Moody wrote an article in the Bend Bulletin on the recent Upper Deschutes Fish stranding.
It must be recognized that irrigators control the rights to this water. It must be acknowledged that irrigators have done nothing illegal. According to officials, the “ramp down” rate was slower this year, which actually is beneficial for fish. It gives them more time to find ample water downstream. No one can prevent some of them from getting trapped in side channels.
Nevertheless, there is undeniable economic value in a healthy river and fishery that contributes to the Central Oregon economy. It’s no secret that people come from all over the world to enjoy Central Oregon’s myriad recreational and tourist opportunities. Personally, I travel to Central Oregon to snowboard, fly fish, hike as well as walk around downtown Bend. I’ve even fished the area we are discussing.
In an age of instant information, fish die-offs in Oregon do us no good. Frankly, irrigators may have prospered while the local economy suffered.
Little Yellow Stone flies are a staple meal for western trout throughout the summer months. While a small yellow Stimulator is a great pattern for boisterous water, we like a more “flat lying” pattern for flats and tail-outs. Tony demonstrates an easy “loop wing” version of a Yellow Sally that fishes very well when fish are rising in slick water conditions.
Tony’s Loop-Wing Yellow Sally
Thread: Veevus 12/0
Hook: TMC 100, size 14-18
Tail: Chinese red Uni-stretch
Rib: Pearl Flashabou
Body: PMD Yellow Hareline Micro Fine Dry Fly Dub
Wing: Loop of White Antron, topping of White or Tan CDC
Thorax: PMD Yellow Hareline Micro Fine Dry Fly Dub
Hackle: Ginger, Barred Ginger, or Cree Dry Fly Hackle
From our bud, Captain Nate…
Giant migratory trout are currently flooding the rivers surrounding the Great Lakes. Hurricane Sandy had some adverse effects on last year’s fall run, but this year Cleveland area anglers are already having success.
Swinging traditional steelhead patterns with a floating line and long leader leader is a favorite technique for area fly anglers. This is the time for fresh chrome and fishing deeper slower pools as the fish enter the system is a great plan. While important during all times of the year low light periods early and late in the day are even more amplified early in the season.
Get after those Silver Bullets and some Chromers.
Look for a Pacific Northwest Perspective on the Great Lakes Steelhead season later this month, during the Captain Nate Wedding Extravaganza.
CDC wings can be a pain to work with. In this video Tony demonstrates how to use mylar to divide CDC, forming spinner wings. This spinner pattern has a very slender profile with a biot body and thin tails. It fishes really well on flat water rivers during PMD spinner falls with picky fish.
CDC Rusty Spinner
Thread: Veevus 12/0
Hook: TMC 100, Sizes 16-20
Tail: Lt. Dun Hareline Mayfly Tail
Body: Rusty Spinner Hareline Turkey Biot
Wing splitter: Pearl Mylar-small
Thorax: Rusty Spinner Hareline Micro Fine and Dry Dubbing
Wing: Light Dun or White CDC
Dear Chris: sorry I have not been answering any of your emails of late. Been fishing. Dawn to dark, day after day. Moving around a lot north to south. Best salmon season ever. Not talking numbers or size, but diversity of conditions and new discoveries. Fishing flies intended for steelhead, Albacore and trout – and catching Chinook. Fishing single hand rods, spey rods, and switch rods; floating lines and super fast sinkers – all have their place given water conditions. Fishing in tide, in the bays, in rivers – and finding salmon in all. Never had a season like this. Never. throw out the book on flies and lines and places and retrieves and tides and flows. So much fun. Skunk days seeing fish were as memorable as the days when the fish cooperated. Shiny fish and dusky fish. Big fish and little Jacks. This is the time for South Coast chinook, right now. This year. Excuse me please, I’ll get back to you in January. You ought to re-send all your emails to me after the first of the year. Thanks for your understanding. Hope your time in NZ is half as good as mine is here. If so, you are grinning ear to ear.
Jay Nicholas, heading out at 5:29 AM, again.
