The Caddis Fly: Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Hidden Bead Steelhead Jig Fly Tying Video

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

The name ain’t fancy, but don’t overlook this fly when tying or fishing for steelhead. This is actually a knock-off from a steelhead fly that was/is called the Sally Fly. Wayne Doughton, of Doughton hardware in Salem Oregon, developed this fly and named it after his wife, Sally, in the 1960s. I fished the original pattern tied on Eagle Claw 1197-B size 8 hooks. The original used white poly yarn for a tail and a puff of Paulason’s Fluorescent Flame Yarn.

This Hidden Bead Steelhead Jig fly can be fished on the swing, dredged along the bottom, or suspended under a strike indicator. The fly is a steelhead catching’ dream, and that is the truth, so go have some fun with it.

Jay Nicholas
January 2012

Hidden Bead Steelhead Jig

Hook: Gamakatsu 90 degree Jig #1-2
Bead: 7/32 Plummeting Tungsten Fl. Orange
Thread: Lagartun 150 White
Tail: Eumer Arctic Fox White + Krystal Flash Fl. Fuscia+ Holo Flashabou Pink
Body: Lagartun Mini Flat Braid
Thorax: Fl. Shell Pink Chenille
Head: Ultra Chenille Standard Fl. Pink
Veil: Hareline Egg Yarn

Fishing alone: A Coast Range Ramble

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

A yellow road sign, spattered with buckshot, holes rusting through. It read: Narrow winding road, next 3 miles. More like, next 100 miles. But who’s counting?

I’d gassed up on the way out of town, and the attendant said he’d heard there were fifty cars parked near Whitaker Creek boat ramp on the Siuslaw. I didn’t expect to see those numbers where I was headed.

Boulders the size of my Honda studded the road, recently calved off the sandstone cliffs hanging overhead, a tangible reminder of the potential dangers, fishing alone in the Coast Range.

The water was high and cloudy at my first stop. Fishable, but I’d need to go big and flashy to get any attention. The logging trucks I’d passed every ten minutes or so since I’d climbed into the mountains weren’t helping with the visibility. I’d passed a new clear cut on the way into the valley. Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon Winter Steelhead Fishing | 16 Comments

New Echo 3 Spey, Switch and Single Handed Fly Rods

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Jay Nicholas gives us a quick over view of a few new rods from Echo. The Echo 3 Series is Tim Rajeff and the folks at Echo Fly Rods first venture into the high modulus graphite world, and they have produced some fine fishing tools. Jay also discusses a few of his favorite fly line matches to the Echo 3 Rods.

Posted in Fly Fishing Gear Review | 1 Comment

Lower McKenzie River in Great Shape

Posted on February 18, 2012 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Despite low water temperatures and virtually no surface activity, fishing remains very good on the lower McKenzie. Yesterday we floated from Hayden Bridge to Armitage Park and found fish in a variety of water. The best water seemed to be deep drop off’s with moderate speed. A deep nymphing rig with a Thingamabobber and 7ft of tippet and two weighted nymphs caught the best fish.

The fish aren’t quite ready to move into the shallow riffles and chase March Brown Nymphs(won’t be long). We did swing a few fish up with Silvey’s Soft Serve March Brown tied in tandem with a Possie Bugger.

Posted in Fishing Reports, McKenzie River | 4 Comments

Argentina Fly Fishing Photos

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Our buddy and Patagonia, Winston, Fishpond, Fly Water Travel sales rep, Jon Covich is down in the Southern hemisphere living it up. He sent some on location photos to brighten up our Winter. Very cool Jon! Thanks

Posted in Fly Fishing Travel | Leave a comment

Clear Cure Goo Chironomid Fly Tying Video The “CCG Black and Red Chironomid”

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

The first of three videos with University of Oregon Professor Jim Terborg, demonstrating how to tie great looking Chironomid fly patterns with Clear Cure Goo products. The Clear Cure Goo gives the Chironomid a natural “life-like” glow.

These flies are easy to crank out, incredibly fishy and durable.

CCG Black and Red Chironomid

Hook: Daiichi 1150 #12
Thread: Black Lagartun 95 or 150
Body: Thread
Rib: Silver and Red Ultra Wire Small
Gills: White Steelhead Stalkers UV Yarn
Wing Pads: Lagartun Mini Flat Braid Fl. Red
Goo/Finish: Clear Cure Goo Thin with Clear Cure Goo Hydro Topping

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies | 2 Comments

Spey Class Coming!

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

On the water

March 3, 2012 – The Caddis Fly Angling Shop will host an all day Spey Class on the McKenzie River with George Cook and Jon Hazlett. The class will cover; Single Spey, Snap T, Snap Z, Wombat, Perry Poke and Double Spey.
George will have on hand several rods and lines for anglers to choose or you may bring your own outfit and have George give you a “tune up”. George says, “Learning to Spey cast is not a daunting task if you begin in a class,” he says. “Books and DVDs can be important learning tools to perfect your technique, but the best step to begin is to take some lessons, as there’s no substitute for on-the-shoulder help.” The cost per angler is $150, with lunch provided. Call the shop (541-342-7005) to register for this class, as space is limited.

Class to be held at Armitage Park from 9-4:30, March 3rd.
Cost: $150
Equipment Provided Upon Request

Posted in Classes and Instruction | Leave a comment

Angling regulations public meeting tomorrow in Eugene

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Upper Willamette 2013 Angling Regulations Proposal Planning Meeting

When: Wed. Feb. 15, 7-9 pm
Where: LCC, Bldg 17, Room 308
Why: Outline the process for anglers to propose new or modified fishing regulations for 2013. Anglers will have until the end of February to submit proposals. See ODFW website for information about the regulation development process, guidelines and forms for submitting proposals, and existing staff proposals.

For more information, contact Jeff Ziller or Kelly Reis, ODFW, at 541-726-3515, or Jeffrey.s.ziller@state.or.us or Kelly.e.reis@state.or.us

Also, mark your calendar for May:

2013 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations Public Review Meeting
When: Mon. May 21, 7-10 pm
Where: LCC, Bldg 17, Room 308
Why: Become informed of and provide comments on proposed 2013 angling regulation changes that have passed initial review through the Angling Regulations Review Board. See ODFW website for information about the regulation development process, as well as alternative public meeting locations/times, and contact information for written public comment.

For more information, contact Jeff Ziller or Kelly Reis, ODFW, at 541-726-3515, or Jeffrey.s.ziller@state.or.us or Kelly.e.reis@state.or.us, or contact Dave Stewart, ODFW Angling Regulations Assistant Coordinator, at dave.stewart@state.or.us.

Posted in Oregon Conservation News | Leave a comment

Winter Steelhead Report: Great Conditions Persist

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Conditions lined up perfectly for good Winter Steelhead fishing this past week. Good numbers of fish, falling river levels, and warmer than average water temperatures made for some awesome fishing. With more mild weather and showers in the forecast, conditions should stay in the sweet spot for a while longer.

Nymphing various egg patterns through bedrock-lined slots has been highly productive, and with much warmer than average water, the fish are more willing than usual to chase a leech or intruder swung in the right water.

We have over 6 more weeks of Winter Steelhead season to look forward to, but there is no time like the present to get out on the river. Runs on many of Oregon’s winter steelhead rivers will be at their peak over the next couple of weeks.

In certain areas there are a lot of wild fishing spawning already. If you see colored fish laying over shallow gravel this is what they are up to. Admire them and move along.

Posted in Coastal Steelhead Fishing, Oregon Winter Steelhead Fishing | 1 Comment

McKenzie River Fly Fishing report

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

The McKenzie River reshuffled the deck. Rocks the size of cue balls form new bars and riffles. Old bars, tree stumps have migrated. Newly formed spots haven’t started collecting fish, but the old spots are full of them, and they’re hungry. These trout haven’t seen a mega-prince in months.

Ethan and I hook and land a half dozen, one per cast, in a single spot. A few of them jump clear out of the water. It’s nearly 60 degrees out, and they’re excited. These are thick-backed wild trout with black spots and pink cheeks. These months between now and the Mother’s Day Caddis hatch are amazing.

Missing most of the winter steelhead season is paying off on my first trout run of 2012. I never got the chance to develop all of the bad habits and a five weight feels right in my hand. Two buggy nymphs and a small split shot set five feet off a thingamabobber should be deadly until the water spikes again.

-MS

Posted in Fishing Reports, McKenzie River | 4 Comments

Protect Columbia River Fisheries: Oppose HB 4101

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

From Water Watch

Help stop another attack on Columbia River fish and jobs! Oppose HB 4101 today!

Please contact Governor Kitzhaber and key legislators today urging them to oppose HB 4101, a bill that would undermine key protections for struggling Columbia River salmon and steelhead and threaten more abundant runs which support jobs, economic activity, and food production throughout our region.

Photo by MVI

What House Bill 4101 does: HB 4101 would allow up to 450,000 acre feet of additional summertime water withdrawals from the Columbia River or its tributaries and would circumvent rules protecting imperiled salmon and steelhead and the jobs that rely on those fish.

The bill ignores the 25,000 lost family wage jobs in the region caused by declining salmon and steelhead runs in the Columbia Basin – jobs lost in part due to poor habitat resulting from excessive water use in the dry season.

Background: To address recognized dry season flow problems in the river and help recover endangered fish, Oregon seasonally limits new water withdrawals from the Columbia above Bonneville Dam unless mitigation water is provided. These seasonal limits and mitigation requirements coincide in time with the Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s flow augmentation schedule in the Columbia and Snake Rivers. HB 4101 would circumvent these salmon protection rules and allow up to 450,000 acre feet in new water withdrawals during critical summer months when federal and state agencies in the region are working together to meet target flows needed for fish.

Click here for detailed background information on HB 4101 [pdf].

Please help stop the rollback of existing protections for Oregon’s imperiled Columbia River salmon and steelhead! Help stop HB 4101!

Key Points to make in opposing HB 4101:

HB 4101 weakens Oregon’s laws protecting our invaluable Columbia River salmon and steelhead.
HB 4101 jeopardizes recovery efforts to restore imperiled Columbia River fish and recover lost family-wage jobs and economic activity in both small towns and urban areas.
HB 4101 threatens the jobs, food production, and other economic benefits provided by a healthy Columbia River.
HB 4101 undermines the collaborative efforts of a coalition of Umatilla Basin water users to appropriate available winter water from the Columbia River for the Umatilla Basin Aquifer Recovery Project.
HB 4101 marginalizes the economic and cultural value of healthy fisheries in the Columbia Basin.
HB 4101 stacks the deck against fair and balanced policy-making, by proposing an unbalanced task force to predetermine a negative outcome for salmon and steelhead.

Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon Conservation News | Leave a comment

Coastal Streams Producing

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Coastal streams are in fine shape this week. Anglers should see good results from projected rain showers and lower river levels over the next few days. Cloudy skies and appropriate nymphing techniques, provided Mckenzie River Trust board member Jim Reichman a fine hatchery Steelhead this week. Using a lowly glowly with a suspended egg pattern proved to be the winning combination.

Lou was able to land a fine buck with a similar combination of flies, while Jim piloted “the beast” through the turbulent waters.

Posted in Coastal Steelhead Fishing, Fishing Reports, Oregon Winter Steelhead Fishing | 4 Comments

Trout Unlimited Chapter 678 Meeting Tonight

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Caddisfly

Trout Unlimited Chapter 678 would like to invite you to a presentation February 8th 2012 @ the Veterans Club.

1626 Willamette Street
Eugene OR
Time: 7:00 pm.

R.J. “Moon” Mullen will be presenting
My Story of Our Troubled Waters

Moon has been described as a raw and humorous teller of tales and one of the most non-politically correct voices of our times. A self described elitist redneck, hero to none and a legend in his own mind…. Moon believes most folks take themselves way to serious to enjoy life in our fast paced times and has tried to do less with his “just to keep it all in balance”, except when it comes to protecting our wild fisheries and the water in which they swim….. Come share in his passion as he tells his story of our troubled waters.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

McKenzie River in Fine Shape Guide Trip Special Returns

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

The McKenzie has dropped into fine shape and is fishing well. Yesterday I floated from Hendricks to Hayden and nymphing was very good from about 12pm-4pm. My best rig was a Thingamabobber strike indicator with about 6 feet of 3x Tippet and a large Stone Nymph with a smaller Blue Ice Prince or Mega Prince Nymph attached to the bend of the larger stone using 24 inches of 4x Tippet.

Best Flies were: Double Bead Peacock, Mega Prince, BeadHead Stone, Blue Iced Prince, and Jigged Tungsten Bead Prince.

HALF DAY PRE-SEASON GUIDE TRIP SPECIAL

This year we offer our “Pre-Season” special guided float trip for two at the great rate of $275.
Trips are for one or two anglers on the McKenzie or Willamette Rivers. Gear and flies provided, food and beverage are not provided. Since fishing is best during the warmest hours of the day this time of year trips usually run from around 10am to around 3pm. Please call the shop (541 342 7005) to book your day(s).

FLOATING THE RIVER

The section between Hendricks and Belinger landing has changed a bit again this year. There are some great looking, newly formed riffles and runs. Of course with the incredibly high water earlier in the season some islands and log jams have shifted about. Notable sections include the area just below the EWEB Salmon Diversion Canal which has really spread out. I went left which currently seems to be the best route, we will see as the water drops, this may change. And the section just below Belinger where the left channel is partially obstructed, I went right without any troubles.

Posted in Fishing Reports, McKenzie River, Shop Sales and Specials | 2 Comments

Clear Cure Goo March Brown Nymph Fly Tying Video

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

It won’t be long now! The March Brown emergence on the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers is nearing. Today we have a simple nymph pattern that works throughout the March Brown Hatch. It’s not super heavy so try it in shallow riffles by itself, or dropped of another nymph during higher spring flows.

Like the Copper John posted earlier this season this March Brown Nymph utilizes Clear Cure Goo Fleck for the budding wing case/back of the nymph. The Clear Cure Goo gives the fly an added realism that makes a difference.

Clear Cure Goo March Brown Nymph

Hook: TMC 3761 #10-16
Bead: 1/8 copper or gold Tungsten
Thread: 6/0 Uni Black
Tail: Dyed Brown Mallard or Wigeon
Rib: Copper Wire
Body/Dub: Hare’s Ear Plus Olive Brown
Wing Case: Cinnamon Turkey and Clear Cure Goo Fleck
Thorax: Same as body
Hackle: India Hen Back

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