No greater gift for a new angler or one who wishes to have a refresh on fly angling or casting than signing up for a Intro to Fly Fishing Class!
We have been introducing anglers to basic casting skills for almost 30 years. Inspired by the original casting classes held by Les Eichorn, Bob Guard, Lefty Krieg, Jeff Carr and Mel Krieger this 5-6 hour class will have interested anglers on their way to fly casting mastery. Basic tackle discussions, casting, knots, entomology and fly presentation will be covered. All tackle, textbook is included, and we maintain a one instructor to 5 student ratios. (15 students max per class)
Four hours of the course will be on water casting. Cost is $70, all equipment is provided, sign up at the shop or call 541-342-7005 to sign up.
Class Schedule for 2024 : Classes on two dates are Friday evening (6-8PM) at the shop and Saturday at Alton Baker Park (9am-12:00pm).
Class Schedule for 2024: The two-day classis on a Friday evening (6-8PM) at the shop and Saturday morning at Alton Baker Park (9am-12:00pm). Due to popular demand, we are holding two sessions in March, April and May! Sign up early and get your spot!
Drone footage was taken on 12/4/23 by Brent Ross, McKenzie River Trust Land Steward
From: McKenzie River Trust News
Making a messy river for salmon and long-term resilience at Finn Rock Reach
The project at Finn Rock Reach was already showing encouraging signs in September when wild Chinook salmon scattered across the site for spawning. With this week’s high water spread more broadly and moving slower outside the main channel, the newly emerged juvenile salmon, western pond turtles, and many other aquatic critters find better safety and more food among the large trees and sediment that are scattered throughout the project area. LEARN MORE.
From 1909 to 1976 the McKenzie River Drift Boat evolved and gained fame on Oregon’s McKenzie River. Today it is an icon of Oregon adventure. The first to run many of the big white water rivers of the West from top to bottom, charting major rapids, and building up the growing river guide community that provides safe recreation for all.
It is time that the story about the evolution of the McKenzie River Drift Boat is told in a professional documentary movie. Research, script writing, and the collection of historical videos and photographs have been underway for the last year. We are now ready to edit the music, narration, video, and historic photographs to complete the project. We need a total of $30,000 to finish this documentary.
A supportive grant opportunity you can be a part of.
The McKenzie River Discovery Center is offering a matching grant opportunity. They will donate a matching dollar for every dollar we raise to $15,000. So, each dollar you donate is worth two dollars to the completion of the Oregon’s Boat documentary.
Sponsorship availability
The movie will list any individual, foundation, or company that gives $5,000 or more as an official sponsor of the documentary. Of course, everyone who donates is listed in the film’s credits, and no donation amount is too small. Oregon’s Boat is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. All gifts are tax-deductible.
In this video, Simon ties an effective mole crab pattern for targeting Surf Perch off of the Oregon coast. Pacific mole crabs live in the swash zone of shallow water on beaches all up and down the Pacific coast, and are often seen burrowing in the sand as the shallow water washes back out into the ocean. They congregate in areas, if you see an abundance of them near your feet, perch will be nearby and tying one on is a good idea. These burrowing crustaceans are called sand fleas on the East coast, or sometimes referred to as sand crabs, or sand shrimp. They are found on beaches all over the world and are a staple in the diet of not only our many species of Pacific Surf Perch, but several other species that make their home in the tidal surf. Colors and sizes can be changed to match the fishery you are spending time in. Adding orange beneath the shell or towards the rear of the fly mimics eggs, and works great for Pacific Surf Perch when the mole crabs are spawning between February and October. Give it a go and let us know how it works for you.
In this video, Simon ties a foam body Grey Drake Dun which works great in the fall when these larger mayflies come off. The abdomen is made of 2mm foam instead of being dubbed to reduce water absorption which greatly improves buoyancy. The fly is tied with water wicking fibers, and hackled vertically which allows it to shed water quickly with a few false casts. The vertical hackle can be trimmed horizontally on the water with nippers creating a lower riding fly for the pickiest of fish. Size and colors can be swapped to mimic other mayflies depending on the season or your local fishery. Fish it and let us know what you think!
In this video, Simon ties a proven jigged Sculpin pattern which effectively mimics the unique profile of a sculpin. Sculpins bodies are larger and wider at the head and taper towards the tail. Their pectoral fins generally are pushed out to the sides making them look even wider towards the front of their body. Many sculpin patterns, especially rabbit ones, look great before they are dry, but quickly lose their profile when wet. This pattern uses resin on the bottom of the fly to splay fibers out so that when the fly is wet, it remains wide towards the head like a real sculpin. Size and profile are crucial when fishing any fly, and especially when fishing a streamer for larger, more wise, trout. This fly has great swimming action while maintaining the correct profile. Sizes and colors can be swapped depending on your fishery. Locally, the gold variant color always produces. Whip a few up and let us know how they work for you.
Note the sculpin-like profile that remains when the fly is wet
In this video, Simon ties a quick and easy terrestrial pattern which is deadly during mid to late summer into early to mid fall. When fish are keyed in on terrestrials, sometimes they will prefer them even over aquatic insects which make up the majority of their diet. The fly features Rainy’s new pre-cut 3 segment foam Gorilla Bodies which are perfect for tying beetle or cricket sized terrestrials. They also come in 4 and 5 segment sizes. The 4 segment would be great for hoppers which have slightly longer bodies, and the 5 segment would make a great stonefly or salmonfly imitation. Fish this fly solo, or tag a small dropper below. The foam provides a significant amount of buoyancy, so tagging on a nymph below works great. When fish are keyed in on the smaller terrestrials, you definitely will want some of these in your box. This fly will fish great locally late in the summer. Late summer it will crush on spring creeks with grassy banks in areas like the Driftless. Fish it and let us know what you think!
Our local water is especially picturesque this time of year with the changing leaves.
Rain and cooler weather have brought lots of Baetis (Blue Winged Olives/BWOs) and our first small winter stoneflies. There are still some lingering Mahogany Duns and October Caddis around, as well as a few leftover small caddis around. Much of the McKenzie has dropped and is in good shape to wade and float, the clarity is good. Most of the Middle Fork is off color and high making it less productive. Fish have largely been feeding subsurface and nymphing has been most productive as of late especially. If the water is high, fish will be found pushed towards the bank in search of more calm water. Dries, wets, and streamers can all be productive as well given the right conditions.
Freshly Emerged Female Mahogany Dun.
The big player in terms of aquatic insect hatches is the Baetis family of mayflies also known as Blue Winged Olives or BWOs. With our cooler weather, these mayflies will hatch on overcast days during the middle of the day. They are often found hatching in more calm water, and most of the time trout will be seen rising to emerging duns. We are beginning to see our first hatch of small winter stoneflies. Female October caddis are still lingering around and will been ovipositing, or laying eggs, in the river on cloudy days during the day or in the evenings. Mahogany Dun Spinners can be found congregating in the evening and the fish will key into a spinner fall of them. There are a few leftover small caddis that are on their last leg.
Small nymphs have been especially effective with current conditions.
The first of the Winter Stones are starting to come out.
Swinging flies is another way to search this time of year. Swinging small soft hackles can be deadly when bugs are coming off, the small flies mimic emerging insects. Swinging small streamers when the water is high imitates disoriented sculpins and baitfish that are fleeing downstream. Add small erratic strips to really drive the point home that your small streamer is a distressed fish. Here are some good choices for smaller soft hackles that are fishing well: Baetis Drymerger #18, Soft Emerger BWO #18, or a Soft Hackle Bead Thorax Mahogany #14. For small streamers try: Jr Sculpzilla, Tactical Jig Zonker #12, or a Thin Mint #8-12.
Swinging soft hackles can be extremely effective this time of year, and give you a break from staring at an indicator all day.
Feel free to stop by the shop or give us a call if you need anything. Have fun out there and don’t forget your rain shell!
-Simon
Get out there and enjoy the last of the fall colors before they’re gone!
The Senior Gotcha is a grey-haired take on the classic gotcha pattern using Rainy’s new silver fox craft fur. This classic flats pattern works great for bonefish and permit if presented correctly. The pattern’s eyes can be substituted to heavier lead or tungsten eyes depending on the tide or water you are fishing. Colors can be substituted depending on your fishery. If you fish it let us know how it works!
Check out this informative article from Propublica.org about dam drawdowns in the Willamette Basin. If you have been wondering why Fall Creek, Cougar, and Lookout Reservoirs are like rivers right now this article will explain. Click HERE to read.
Enjoy a lovely evening of fellowship, festivities, and even a few exciting raffle prizes benefitting Oregon’s native fish and wild rivers.
$100 admission includes a delicious buffet-style BBQ dinner from Cody’s Country Catering, craft brews from our friends at Deschutes Brewing, and a specialty cocktail from the good folks at Crater Lake Spirits and Crafted Life.
Whether you join us live and in person or from the comfort of your favorite easy chair, our Virtual Silent Auction has a little bit of everything for your bidding pleasure. From hosted fishing days with NFS staff to quality Yakima Racks, Patagonia gear to hot air balloon rides, we’ve got it, thanks to our generous friends and sponsors.
Take a sneak peek at the auction catalog, updated regularly, and be sure to register! You don’t want to miss any of the fun!
When: In-person event: Saturday, November 11th, 2022; 6pm – 9pmOnline Auction: Bidding begins Sunday, November 5th, and closes at 5:00pm PST on Saturday, November 11th
Where: In-person event: Tumalo, OR Online Auction: Wherever you have wifi!
What:A Central Oregon celebration and virtual auction benefiting our wild, native fish, free-flowing rivers, and thriving local communities.
Take a sneak peek at the online auction catalog here – open to all for bidding this Sunday, November 5th. And if you’re in the Central Oregon area – or are looking for an excuse to travel to Bend! – you’re invited to join us for our in person event on Saturday evening, November 11th!
Whether you join us live and in person or from the comfort of your favorite easy chair, our Virtual Silent Auction has a little bit of everything for your bidding pleasure. From hosted fishing days with NFS staff to quality Yakima Racks, Patagonia gear to hot air balloon rides, we’ve got it, thanks to our generous friends and sponsors.
Take a sneak peek at the auction catalog, updated regularly, and be sure to register(for free!) and get ready to place your bids soon! You don’t want to miss any of the fun!
For those in the Central Oregon area wishing to attend on November 11th, Homewaters Roundup in-person tickets are limited, so get yours today! We hope you’ll join us in celebrating Oregon’s native fish and wild rivers!
In this instructional video, Simon demonstrates how to tie an effective shrimp fly he uses in the surf off of the Oregon Coast. The fly was originally designed for use targeting surf perch, but could also work for rockfish off of the jetties or other marine species that eat shrimp. Fish on our coast whose diet is largely made up of crustaceans, key in on orange colors or other colors indicating a gravid female shrimp or mole crab full of eggs. Specifically, here on the Oregon coast, Orange is a very productive color for targeting surf perch. Colors and materials can be substituted depending on the fishery. This fly would also work great for trigger fish if a larger hook is substituted.
In this podcast, former shop employee Gregory Nespor along with his friend and guide David Gregory discuss the variety of fly fishing within Yosemite National Park, techniques, fly patterns, how to escape the crowds to find solitude, bear management issues, and the future of conservation and stewardship within this American treasure.
