Caddis Fly Shop: Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Fishing has been good despite unsettled water and weather. Green and Grey Drakes, Pale Morning Duns, small Caddis and large Golden Stones have been the best patterns of late. There were so many drakes out Friday that a Red Headed Wood Pecker was hovering and feeding on mayflies like a swallow.

It was “training day” in the boat on Friday. Pat Jenkins Head Athletic Trainer at University of Washington and owner of Recycled Waders and Clay Jameson trainer of the U of O’s Men’s Basketball Squad were in the front of boat on the Upper McKenzie. Fishing was good from start to finish with Half Down Golden Stones and Possie Bugger droppers. I am pretty sure it was the first time a Husky hat has ever made it in the boat.

Summer Steelhead numbers are looking good, as we are well ahead of last years counts over Willamette Falls. Be ready with Moal Leaches, Deuce Wigalo’s, Town Runs, and Green Butt Silver Hiltons.

As with the McKenzie the trend looks really good on the Willamette. Trout and Steelhead fishing throughout the Willamette system will be excellent in the coming weeks.

Yup folks, it is offshore time again. After spending more days than I care to admit chasing the elusive spring Chinook, and earning not one single grab, I had the pleasure of going out through the surf with my friends Jack and John Harrell. The process of launching a Dory in the surf is enough to bring adrenaline and smiles to light any day, and Jack only took a short swim in the process of the launch. Secured his ball cap and glasses before they slipped completely off his head and never uttered a single not-printable word in spite of being soaked head to toe. First such swim I have witnessed, and honestly relieved that it was Jack instead of me.

Pushed the Dory through the surf about 6:30 AM. By 7:40 we were towing the boat up the ramp, limits of Black Rocks in the fish box, and heading for scones and coffee. These fish are a lot of fun fishing 7-8 wt rods with sinking lines. On this trip, I fished an Air flo Ridge Striper T-7, a 7 wt. Echo 3 Saltwater fly rod, and an Echo ION 6/7. If I had planned on silvers or kings I would probably have reached for an 8 or 9 wt rod with an ION 8-10 reel.

JN

My friend Bill has been Fly Fishing the McKenzie River for a long time. We had a fun day on the upper McKenzie River this past Monday despite some seriously wet weather. Green Drakes, Pale Morning Duns and Small caddis were hatching. Dry fly fishing in fast water was better than I’d seen it all year. Bill fished hard all day, wet, cold, and spot on.  He did not lose a fly all day. No easy task when high water has you pitching at the banks on most presentations.

Back to Bill. He has been a an Oregon resident much of his life and has fished around the state for trout primarily. He still makes annual trips to California’s Sacramento River and Idaho’s Henry’s Fork. Did I mention he’s 91.

I have been guiding Bill on the McKenzie and Willamette for the past 23. He has a great attitude about fishing that one only gets with experience and knowledge. When I am 91 I want to be upfront casting all day for something.

CD