A knock down, challenged, cripple, emerging style Pale Morning Dun fly pattern from Mike Brooks. We like this fly late Spring and Summer all over the West.
Pale Morning Dun Cripple
Hook: TMC 100 #16-20
Thread: Danville 6/0 lt. Cahill
Tail: Ice Fur Orangutan Rust
Body: Superfine dub Pale Morning dun
Throax: Superfine dub Sulphur Orange
Post: Cream Antron and Wood Duck
Hackle: Lt. Brown, Cream, Badger or Cream
SOAR Northwest River Co. is offering a discount to readers of this blog on the June 23 Selway river trip. The trip launches on June 23 and ends on the 28th, but you will want to fly into Missoula on the 22nd for an orientation. The trip normally runs for $2400 per person and is on sale for $1800 if you mention that you read about it on OregonFlyFishingBlog.com.
Fishing usually becomes a focus for these trips later in the season when the water normally is a little lower (those later trips are booked for this year). This means that SOAR will be running larger boats on this trip, which of course also means the time on the water is mostly at a downriver pace; you probably won’t be fishing from the boat, and the boats probably won’t be stopping too much while en route. That said, there are usually hours of down time in camp for you to fish to your heart’s content, and many of the camps SOAR uses are near trail access that runs the length of the river. This gives you the opportunity to walk back up to the nice water you silently noted on the way down as the guides stay back to manage the camp and kitchen. And you’ll still have a blast on some legendary whitewater. This year there have already been a few significant run-off episodes, some of which is happening now. The upshot is that there really should be some great opportunities for some great fish in gorgeous water running through an absolutely pristine wilderness. Truly one of America’s great rivers.
Please give Ari a call or email to book or to get more information: 208-709-8033. He can also offer some discount on your Missoula accommodation if you book through him. SOAR’s website has more information, logistical details, testimonials, guide profiles, phots and descriptions as well: http://www.northwestriver.com/index.php
Don’t forget to mention OregonFlyFishingBlog.com! This is a great deal, people, you know you want to….
HNT
If you didn’t make it to Monday night’s ODFW meeting regarding fishing regulations on the McKenzie River, you missed out. 33 native fish supporters showed up in force to vote for passing a regulation that would restrict the use of bait in the all-wild, catch-and-release only section of the McKenzie River between Hendricks and Hayden Bridges. The particular section is not stocked with hatchery fish and is a high production area for wild, native McKenzie Redband Rainbow trout, a unique and sought after fish that drives anglers and tourism dollars to the region.
The objective of this regulation change is to create a production area for native rainbow trout in the lower McKenzie River that will add to the sustainability of the McKenzie River trout populations. This section of the river has excellent potential for production of large rainbow trout for non-consumptive angler use. The new rule would reduce hooking mortality on wild trout in the non-stocked area while allowing the retention of hatchery trout that drift downriver from above Hendricks Bridge and allowing salmon and steelhead anglers to use bait during the peak of these runs.
Your friendly neighborhood biologists and wild fish advocates can send you a whole slew of studies on fishing methods and hooking mortality. Generally speaking, for trout, single barbless hooks on artificial flies or lures, mortality is about 3-5%. With bait or scented artificial (i.e. powerbait), mortality is around 32% when fished under a bobber.
The bottom line is that section of river is no longer stocked and bait anglers kill 1/3 of the wild fish they touch. You can’t support a catch and release wild fishery with that kind of mortality.
FYI: ODFW biologists have made this recommendation before at an ODFW Commission meeting and the conservation community didn’t show up. The bait supporters did — and the regulation change was spiked.
Last night, the wild fish advocates won out. A show of hands in the room — 33 to 8 in favor of the regulation change. But this was pre-season… not the real deal. This was not a commission meeting, but public comment was recorded. The commission meeting (where the fate of regulation changes is ultimately decided) will be August 3rd in Salem.
Monday night our voices were heard. But tell your boss now that you need to take off the first Friday in August, because if eight retired knuckleheads show up to complain in Salem, ranting about how wild fish don’t exist and that we’re “closing the river”… it will outweigh forty well-written letters and the recommendation of local biologists.
Thank you to everyone who came out Monday night, but we need you there August 3rd to support wild fish on the McKenzie River.
-MS
Sponsored by Caddisflyshop.com and Rajeff Sports the “Echo Gecko Biggest Fish Contest” rewards the angler who documents the largest fish caught on an Echo Gecko fly rod between now and September 1st. Carp, Cuda, Dorado, Steelhead you name it, if it’s caught on an Echo Gecko and a photo is snapped and sent to OregonFlyFishingBlog.com you are entered. Biggest fish gets to choose any Echo Fly Rod in the line up, Spey and Switch included.
All ages welcome to enter. Send photos to Caddiseug@yahoo.com.
CD
When: Monday, May 21st, 7pm
Where: Lane Community College, Forum Building #17, Room 308
What: Public forum to discuss regulation changes on our watersheds.
Why: Because a bunch of you can’t make it to Salem in August…
So tonight, ODFW’s local staff are going to be on hand at LCC taking public comment on proposed fisheries regulations for next year. The one we’re specifically looking at is to remove bait from an all-wild, catch and release section of river. Seems like a no-brainer regulation change. In fact, it was proposed last year by ODFW staff, and supported by local conservationists and guides, but it was derailed by a handful of people who actually showed up at the meeting arguing that they and their grandkids should be able to gut-hook wild fish.
This is not a commission meeting, but public comment is requested and recorded. The commission meeting (where the fate of regulation changes is ultimately decided) will be August 3rd in Salem.
Tonight is your chance to make your voice heard. But tell your boss now that you need to take off the first Friday in August, because four people complaining in Salem will outweigh forty well-written letters and the recommendation of local biologists. Come tonight, but be there August 3rd to support wild fish on the McKenzie River.
A classic wet fly pattern spruced up with a unique dyed starling skin. Swing this one anytime of the year on a dry line and long leader.
Yorkshire Starling and Purple Wet
Hook: TMC 3769 #14-18
Thread: Purple 8/0 Uni
Body: Same as working thread
Thorax: Black Dubbing
Hackle: Starling skin dyed Blue
It’s that time of the year again where the salmon flies starting showing up on the Deschutes. The good folks at Fly Fisher’s Place in Sisters relayed that the fish are really keying on salmon flies in Maupin. While there are bugs on the banks up near Warm Springs, the fishing hasn’t gotten red hot just quite yet.
At Fly and Field in Bend, the report is that the salmon fly hatch is in full swing. And John at the Deschutes Angler assured us that the hatch is going full-tilt boogy! John said the temps on the D are a bit cooler than usual, which should prolong the hatch for at least another 6-7 weeks.
John said bugs are showing up in Warm Springs, but are mostly staying tight to the bushes with the cooler weather. Once the mercury starts to rise a bit, the action should really pick up!
Idylwilde’s Chubby Chernobyl is the hot fly once again so load up now. We fished the Deschutes this time last year and the fly was in such short demand that guys on the river were buying them at $5-10 a piece from other anglers! Load up now and you’ll be in good shape for this epic hatch!
Call the shop for details, guided trip info: 541-342-7005.
Our fiend Chad Helms just returned from Cabo San Lucas and provided this report. Nice Fish Chad!
Just got back from a 9 day fishing trip down to Cabo. I met up with and stayed with my good friend Stacy Corbin and his wife from Alaska, who owns Mystic Waters Fly Fishing. Stacy had his 24′ ft Cobia parked in a slip at the marina, which couldn’t have made fishing any easier. Continue reading
Mike Brooks demonstrates how to tie his version of a Pink Lady. This pattern fishes during Pale Morning Dun hatches as well. Tied in Catskills Style we like in when fishing slow water with picky fish.
Pink Lady Dry Fly
Hook: TMC 100 14-18
Thread: Danville 6/0 Shrimp Pink
Tail: Coq De Leon
Body: Micro Fine Dub Hendrickson Pink
Rib: Small Holographic Tinsel Gold
Hackle: Dun Dry Fly Saddle feather
Alright sportsfans, the kid gloves are off and we’re not messing around. The legendary House of Hardy recently released a limited edition run of 250 reels to commemorate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the 140th anniversary of Hardy Bros., and to mark 100 years since the introduction of Hardy’s epic ‘1912 pattern check.’ The ‘1912 pattern check’ was an improved variation of the ‘floating pawl’ check and regulator system used on prior Perfect reels. The 1912 pattern check was used on Perfects from 1912-1916 and is widely regarded as the most visually appealing and collectible check system that Hardy Bros have ever made.
Only 100 out of these 250 limited edition Hardy Perfect Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Reels found their way to the United States and the Caddis Fly has obtained FOUR of them for sale. Before we could even get this blog post up, we’ve already sold two of these reels, meaning you best not delay and give us a call if you want to secure one of the two we have left in the shop.
Each reel has a unique serial number (between 1 and 250), comes in an elegant velvet-lined leather case, and is accompanied by a commemorative coin and booklet detailing the history of Hardy’s great fly fishing heritage. We have one left hand and one right hand retrieve reel available. Call the shop at (541)342-7005 if you’d like to inquire further.
Make no mistake. The next public meeting held in Eugene by ODFW is critically important in the effort to make the Mckenzie a healthier place for wild and native cutthroat and rainbow trout. The local ODFW district’s proposal to limit bait fishing in the five mile section of river between Hendrick’s Bridge and Bellinger is the biggest and best potential change for redsides in the Mckenzie since 1992 …. Nineteen ninety two! That was a long time ago! Whitney Houston topped the charts with “I’ll Always Love You” …. I digress.
Several springs ago passions were high and wild trout advocates packed the armory in Springfield to express our concern for native redisedes. Now, there is a CONCRETE proposal to improve conditions for wild trout in the Mckenzie. Now isn’t the time to rest on our laurels. We need all the native trout advocates from groups like Trout Unlimited, the Mckenzie Flyfishers and all of you unaffililated wild trout afficionados out there to make it out and voice your support for our redsides! Bring a friend too! More redsides are better fishing!
When: Monday, May 21st
Where: Lane Community College, Forum Building #17, Room 308
(The ODFW public notice does not contain a meeting time. As soon as confirmed this post will be updated to include that time.)
Our group of seven anglers from Eugene had a great time Bonefishing at South Andros BoneFishing Lodge this past week. We flew in from Nassau Saturday and were greeted by a driver who delivered us the final 20 minutes to the beach side lodge. Four days is a pretty short fishing trip given the travel distance, but when it’s blue skies and light winds all trip you can’t complain.
Lodge Details
South Andros is a well organized lodge with two American host/co-coordinators who are hands on in making sure your trip runs smooth. The lodge itself is nothing fancy. Basic motel style rooms with air conditioning and a group dining room. Wi-fi and phone are available if desired. All meals and alcoholic beverages are included in your trip charge. Special requests for beverages are welcome and accommodated if possible. The fishing day starts early with 5am coffee, 6:30 breakfast and 7:30 fishing departure, a short drive to the dock and you are on your way to the flats by about 8:15. The beach side “Tiki Hut” self serve bar is perfect for cocktail hour and post fishing “tales”. Appetizers are served at 5:30 and dinner at 6:30. Continue reading
The Pale Morning Dun Trigger Nymph is an excellent May-July nymph on our local waters and most rivers around the West. It’s slender body and “hot spot” of Ice Dub are key features to fish moving to it. Try it “pre-hatch” on you favorite river or stream.
PMD Trigger Nymph
Hook: TMC 3761 # 16,18
Bead: 3/32 Copper Cyclops Bead or Tungsten
Thread: Rusty Brown Lagartun 95D
Tail: Ringneck Pheasant Tail Fibers
Abdomen: Rusty Brown Turkey Biots
Thorax: Fiery Brown STS Dubbing
Exploding Wings: UV Light Yellow Ice Dub
Legs: Mottle Brown Partridge Fibers
Collar: Rusty Brown STS Dubbing
Pale Morning Dun adults are emerging daily in our area, and will be an important hatch throughout the West in the coming months. The Klinkhammer style PMD has been one of our very bet imitations.
Pale Morning Dun Klinkhammer Fly Tying Video
Hook: Daichi 1160 16-20
Thread: Danville 6/0 Lt. Cahill
Tail: Ice Fur Orangutan Rust
Body: Superfine Dubbing PMD
Thorax: Superfine Dubbing Sulphur Orange
Wing: Cream Antron or Sparkle Emerger yarn
Hackle: Cream, Dun or Pale Yellow dry fly Saddle hackle
The Lower Mckenzie has been steady in producing some fine native redsides. The top producer this week has been the mighty Mega Prince. The river has continued to drop to very fishable levels and we should begin to enjoy “normal angling conditions.”
The forecasted warmer weather the next few days should increase insect activity and perhaps produce some results for both surface and sub surface anglers. The warm weather will also bring out the usual number of folks enjoying the river and not strictly angling. The River Rescue Team has been way too busy hauling boats out of the section above Bellingers Landing…let’s be safe and aware out there! Enjoy the coming warm weather!
LV
