Caddis Fly Shop: Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Fishy Friday Links around the interwebs

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Tons of crazy content out there on the Web. Everybody seems to be shaking off the summer doldrums and posting awesome stuff. Here’s a bunch of it, in no particular order.

After two years inactivity, the Felt Soul Media blog is back and active. They guys are working on a new film called “Amend” about the nation-wide movement behind the removal of dams and the push to restore spawning grounds for native sea run fish. See a good piece on the Elwah here. Sad bit about the Elwah, steelhead hatchery programs are causing a potential issue.

Steelie Mike presents — Ling Cod eating a halibut!

Oregon Steelhead guide and NFS River Steward Mia Sheppard took a job with the Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. Speaking of the NFS, check out photos and writeup from Fishkamp, who went on a Macroinvertebrate Survey on the Salmonberry with NFS River Steward Ian Fergusson.

Chucking Line and Chasing Tail posted some nice summer steelhead porn from the Clearwater. Bill Bakke wrote a great blog post analyzing the institutional roadblocks ODFW uses to maintain the status quo. And Jason Borger is partnering up with Jeff Kennedy to draw a fish every week on his blog. Looks awesome, check it out here.

Also, lots of new video trailers out there, including one from MOTIV (former members of AEG media), Confluence Films, and a Cape Cod striper thing we found on Moldy Chum.

GEOFISH TRAILER 3min from MOTIV FISHING on Vimeo.

Cape Cod flyfishing- video postcard from Don Himsel on Vimeo.

Posted in Fishing Porn, Oregon fly fishing links, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

September Fly Fishing In BC

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

There’s bears in them-thar Hills! Yup. September 2011 found me on an adventure steelhead fishing in BC. Amazing. Completely unexpected. A passport purchased months ago for a not-to-be late spring trip came in handy when I found myself with two days to get airfare, pack, and just go. If not for that on-hand passport, this trip would not have been possible.

September is a time when Grizzly bears hunt the same King salmon that Rob and I had hoped to catch in July. Bear tracks are not common, but common enough to let us know that they are around the rivers where we now fish for summer steelhead.

I had the privilege of swinging flies through steelhead runs that were hundreds of yards long. Step in at the head of a run, cast, swing, step, and cast again. It was an amazing experience to find steelhead holding water quite that expansive.

No, the fish were not thick as fleas on a hound dog’s back. No, every run did not produce a grab. But yes, it was instantly electrifying and calming to be able to fish this kind of water. Many of the runs were 3-5 feet deep, smooth flows over gravel groves and studded with fish magnet boulders.

And yes, I fell in and ruined yet another camera, but managed to save a few photos from a hastily removed camera card.

Campfire lunches and tin-can coffee were a most excellent way to relax mid-day and prepare for stepping back into the waters for the afternoon.

And yes, there were a few steelhead kind enough to grace me with a pull, a tug, or a solid yank. These are remarkable wild fish; but no more remarkable than our wild North Umpqua, Rogue, Deschutes, or John Day summer steelhead, save for the magnitude of the mountains surrounding the BC rivers.

More to follow on my northern steelhead adventures; and a few photos saved from a soggy camera card.

Jay Nicholas
September 15, 2011

Posted in Fishing Reports, Fly Fishing Travel, Summer Steelhead | 4 Comments

Fall Flies you need for Fly Fishing in Oregon

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

September and October are simply fantastic when it comes to fly fishing in Oregon. There is way to much to do. Trout, Steelhead and Salmon opportunities abound. Below you will find our suggestions for flies for trout for the coming 30-50 days. Let’s hope it lasts longer yet! Just in the last week fish have moved into shallower water, spring Chinook are spawning and the light is much lower. Fishing has been great!

Half Down Golden with Orange Body. We like this one for a “hopper dropper” pattern as well as an all around big bug that can look like an October Caddis, Short Wing Stone or Golden Stone. It floats high and is very visible. Continue reading →

Posted in Fishing Reports | 10 Comments

Airflo Rage Compact Spey Fly Line Product Review

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

This is a product review of the Airflo Rage Compact Spey Line. This fly line is the Airflo Solution to help us Spey fishers who want to retain the key elements of our Skagit casting skills acquired over 75% of the year when we are chucking sink tips and swinging big flies for steelhead and salmon. The challenge we face is making the transition from our place of confidence casting a heavy, easy to feel rod-loading line, and suddenly making the delicate, seemingly weightless cast with a Scandi Compact or such line (yes, Rio’s AFS is an analog to Airflo’s Scandi Compact, and is a fine dry line for summer steelhead fishing as well). Continue reading →

Posted in Fly Fishing Gear Review | 4 Comments

Nelson’s Baitfish: Bucktailing for salmon

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Bucktailing for coho (silver) and pink salmon in saltwater is an awesome way to catch chrome on the surface. Troll one of these bad boys behind the boat in the prop wash and hang on. Anglers out of Coos Bay and Newport can access this fishery. The Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound are a good option for Washington anglers.

Keep your eye on your marine regulations and de-barb your hooks.

This video below demonstrates an unweighted, pink and white pattern with a trailing hook and UV Krystal Flash.

Nelson’s Bucktailing Baitfish Pattern

Hook: TMC 811S
Thread: U140 White
Trailing Line: 30lbs Fireline or 25lbs Maxima
Wing/Belly: White and Cerise Bucktail
Flash: UV Purple Krystal Flash
Eyes: 3/16 Adhesive Holographic Eyes
Glue: Liquid Fushion
Trailing Hook: Gamakatsu Octopus #1 or #2

Posted in Oregon Salmon fly fishing, Oregon Saltwater Fishing | Leave a comment

October Caddis coming to a river near you!

Posted on September 18, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

The cottonwood leaves are piling up on the ground, vine maples turning orange, and big October Caddis are fattening up and ready to burst forth from their cases. It’s already happening. The fam and I were catching a few small trout this afternoon and found lots of big empty caddis tubes.

Here’s a collection of October Caddis Fly Patterns.
-MS

Posted in Fishing Reports, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing | 2 Comments

Fishing, Hunting, and Conservation News, October 1913 – Part IV

Posted on September 17, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

This from the Oregon Sportsman

FISHING ON THE UPPER WILLAMETTE

Mr. J. J. McCormick, of Eugene, Oregon, reports that his favorite way of fishing on the upper Willamette is in a boat. The river is navigable for good boat fishing as far up as Oak Ridge, which is situated forty miles east of Eugene. Boats can be taken that far either by rail or wagon. It makes a splendid trip to cruise down and fish. Of course, it takes an expert boatman as the water is swift in may places and is shallow and rocky, all of which furnished exciting sport.

Mr. McCormick reports that he makes his first trips early in April. He has made good catches as early as April 7th. Flies are used exclusively at this season. he has used the March Brown and the Blue and Red Upright, Gray hackle, Willow and Professor. The best months for fishing on the upper Willamette over this stretch of river are May and June. From about the Middle of July a spoon can be used to much better effect than a fly.

So concludes my transcription of reports from the October 1913 edition of the Oregon Sportsman.

Jay Nicholas

Posted in Middle Fork Willamette River fishing, Oregon Conservation News | 1 Comment

Hollywood

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

“How’s fishin’, bud?”

I looked up into the bright sun, squinting in the direction of the man’s voice. There, looking down from the bridge with his signature smile, was Mike Laverty. “Hollywood,” as he is referred to by his friends. Mike is tall, dark, and nauseatingly handsome. He’s cool, stylish, and successful. Has a smokin’ hot wife. Drives a sweet car. Mike’s a stellar salmon and steelhead guide, and he’s one hell of a nice guy.

“Hey, Mike!” I replied, genuinely glad to see him. “Haven’t had a bite all day.”

Mike’s smile turned to a serious look of concern as I explained how the gear guys were catching a few fish, while I was happily sucking wind with my fly poles. Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon Salmon fly fishing | 5 Comments

Mckenzie River Two Fly Tournament: Approaching Fast, Very Limited Seating Available

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Caddisfly

The fourth annual Mckenzie River Two Fly Tournament will be held this coming weekend, September 23th and 24th which can only mean that very soon conservation minded anglers will compete for both bragging rights and sweet prizes, having a great time raising funds for a good cause, better habitat for cold water fish!

Previous tournaments have raised over $12,000 dollars for habitat restoration on the Mckenzie River including helping fund the Crescent Lake side channel reconnection and the Green Island levee removal project. These projects have improved habitat for juvenile Chinook as well as native trout but there is always more work to be done! This years proceeds will again go to the McKenzie River Trust.

Seating is very limited but there may be a couple seats yet available. Entrance fee is $700 per team (or $350 per angler). Your fee gets you Friday and Saturday dinner Saturday guided fishing and lunch. Contact the shop at (541) 342-7005 to get one while you can!

Continue reading →

Posted in Fly Fishing Contests, McKenzie River, Oregon Conservation News | 1 Comment

September Trout Unlimited Meeting Cancelled

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Caddisfly

The September meeting of the Mckenzie-Upper Willamette chapter of Trout Unlimited will not be held as Trout Unlimted’s national meeting will be held in Bend this weekend. The October meeting shall be held on Wed. October 12th at 7:00 pm. Thank you for your understanding.–KM

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Willamette and McKenzie River Steelhead Report

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Steelhead Fishing on the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers has been very good despite a recent hot stint of weather. Over 21,000 Summer Steelhead have travelled over Willamette Falls. Cooler weather, fall shadows, and great water conditions point towards outrageously good local Steelhead fly fishing this late September and October. Best flies include Green Butt Silver Hilton, Moal Leech and Bush’s Town Run. Continue reading →

Posted in Fishing Porn, Summer Steelhead | Leave a comment

ODFW News: Sulfite Cures and Wild Coho Harvest

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

ODFW’s Fish and Wildlife Commission approved voluntary guidelines for egg cure manufacturers to reduce or eliminate the use of sodium sulfites in bait cures used for salmon eggs.

Beginning Oct. 1, all new production of cured eggs and eggs cured with commercially available cures should not have more than 12 grams of sodium sulfite per kilogram of cured eggs, a risk level considered acceptable by fishery managers.

A peer-reviewed study by ODFW and Oregon State University found that some commercially available egg cures killed juvenile chinook and steelhead when the fish consumed the eggs. The problem was linked to sodium sulfite, an ingredient that is used to inhibit mold growth. When ODFW tested cured eggs, it found levels of 15 to 50 grams of sodium sulfite per kg of eggs.

Read the back story here.

ODFW got the go-ahead from NOAA to harvest Endangered Species Act listed Oregon Coho Salmon: For the third year in a row, predicted coho salmon returns are high enough to open some rivers and lakes to the harvest of wild fish. In 2011 these include the Nehalem, Tillamook Bay, Nestucca, Siletz, Yaquina, Alsea, Siuslaw, Umpqua, Coos, and Coquille rivers and Tenmile Lakes. Established wild coho fisheries will continue in Siltcoos and Tahkenitch lakes.

“We may not be exactly where we want to be in removing the coastal coho from the threatened and endangered species list,” ODFW biologist Mike Gray said. “But the fact that we can now fish for wild coho means many local populations have made a significant comeback.”

Posted in Oregon Conservation News, Oregon Salmon fly fishing | 3 Comments

Tying The Bleeding Gills Clouser Minnow

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

The Bleeding Gills Clouser Tube Fly drives Salmon of all sorts wild, it absolutely “flings a craven on them!” Jay Nicholas discusses the merits of tube clousers, colors combos for baitfish, and adding a red spot for bleeding gills on your Clouser Minnows.

Bleeding Gills Clouser Minnow

Tube: Pro Tube Flexi Tube 40/40
Thread: Ultra Thread U140 White
Eyes: Painted lead Eyes Large
Belly: DNA Holo Fusion White
Gills: Chinese Red Uni-Yarn
Dorsal/Wing: Blue, Forest Green and Red Bucktail
Topping/Back: Mixed Colors Krystal Flash

Posted in Fly Tying | 1 Comment

Fishing, Hunting, and Conservation News, October 1913 – Part III

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

This from the Oregon Sportsman…..

Notes from the counties.

Clatsop – Ben Childers caught nine trout and one Jack salmon from the bridge at Seaside, using “mud cats” for bait. The first silver-sides were hooked in this locality the first week in September.

Jackson – C. Costello, J. Hart, H. Hosler, and J. G. Hurt returned to Ashland from a day’s fishing trip on Big Butte Creek with sixty pounds of cut-throat trout and steel-head trout. Salmon eggs were the bait used.

Lake – During the past month, fishing has been excellent in the Chewaucan and Sycan Rivers. In one afternoon’s fishing in the Sycan River, Charles Weyburn, J. L. Taylor, and J. O. Miller of summer Lake caught 217 Dolly Varden trout.

Lane – Mr. A. C. Dixon of Eugene reports that in Mill Creek, which is a branch of the Mohawk, a record has been kept by parties who have been fishing in the stream. in a period of thirty days there were as many as three thousand trout caught, on a stretch of about four miles of the creek.

One more entry will be transcribed from the 1913 October edition of the Oregon Sportsman.

Jay Nicholas

Posted in Fishing Reports, Oregon Conservation News | 1 Comment

Return to North County

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Coming home to the big Nehalem brought back a flood of memories. Poor Spencer had to hear all of them.

“Oh, man. See that little spot over there?” I’d point to a shadowed cove or overhanging tree. “Some years the kings would stack in there so thick…”

I rattled on like that all day–didn’t even try to hold back. It seemed imperative to recount everything–to bring myself back to a time and place, back to the Grand Old River that had taught me how to be a salmon angler. And maybe, I thought, by invoking such numerous and powerful memories, I could coax the fish gods into a benevolent mood.