UV Damsel Fly Nymph Fly Tying Video

Posted on March 26, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Davis, Diamond, Craine, Hosmer, Klamath, Agency and just a few of the great stillwater opportunities that exist in Oregon. Damsel Flies are a key food source during the summer months on most lakes and reservoirs worldwide. Barrett ties a simple but effective Damsel Nymph pattern designed to fish on a floating line and a long leader or a clear sinking intermediate lake line.

glass bead damsel fly nymph

Glass Bead Damsel Nymph

Hook: TMC 2488 10-14
Thread: Lagartun U74 Olive or Black
Bead: Tyers Glass Bead Silver lined Red
Tail: Marabou Blood Quils Olive
Body: UV Ice Dub Light Olive
Hackle: India Hen Back Olive

Posted in Fly Tying, Oregon High Lakes | Leave a comment

The magic of Nikwax: New product alert

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Make those raincoats last: Caddis Fly now carrying Nixwax waterproofing.

I first read about Nikwax in Colin Fletcher and Chip Rawlins hiking bible, The Complete Walker IV. The author was using it for water proofing his boots: The theory is that in order to transport waterproofing compound to its proper site, water is the best medium… The stuff works! It’s the closest I’ve come to a religious conversion in years.

With that kind of rave review, I had to have the stuff and wound up buying into the whole system, which includes a cleaning product for Goretex products and other breathable waterproof equipment, and a waterproofing compound. I’ve used Nikwax detergent on my Goretex rain coats and pants, softshells, down and fleece and can say I love it. You run a Goretex coat through the wash with Nikwax, treat it with the water repellent, and it’s like a new coat (unless you’ve been rolling in blackberries, at which point you’re screwed regardless).

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Posted in Fly Fishing Gear Review | 2 Comments

Frank Moore and G.Loomis Fly Rods at The Caddis Fly Saturday

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

The North Umpqua’s ambassador and protector, Frank Moore will be at the Caddis Fly from 12-1:30 in the shop tying flies, and then from 1:30-3:00pm at Alton Baker Park demo day for G. Loomis NRX fly rods, spey, and single handed. Meet Frank and go cast some of these great new rods.

North Umpqua

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Posted in Fly Fishing Gear Review, North Umpqua River Fishing Reports, Shop Sales and Specials | 6 Comments

Wet winter steelhead weekend

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Last weekend, I wrapped up my winter steelhead season on the Oregon Coast. There are probably a few good weekends left, but not for me. So I spent it with some of my favorite steehead junkies, including Rob’s pal Mariusz who happens to be a spey casting champ (literally) and a really fun guy to fish with. The weather was challenging, most of the fish were upriver spawning where they should be, and the dudes were out in full force — but the scotch was good and I took a bunch of photos. Gear notes: I wore my new Simms GORE-TEX Paclite Jacket, which is ridiculously lightweight, but held up nicely to the inclement conditions. Inexpensive (compared to other Simms jackets) and really well-made. I also fished Pro-Tubes for the first time and they cast easy and looked great in the water (though not great enough for a hook up).

Winter steelhead Oregon

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Posted in Oregon Winter Steelhead Fishing | 6 Comments

Favorite Flies for Spring on the McKenzie and Willamette Part One: Nymphs and Wets

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

It’s spring break and the McKenzie River near Eugene is coming into shape nicely. The Willamette is still running a bit high and dirty but could come around later this week. March Browns are hatching daily around 1:38pm. Here are six  fly suggestions to keep you successful on the McKenzie and Willamette this Spring. Six more coming in Part 2.

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Fish the Mega Prince under an indicator or swung deep. It’s consistently one of our favorite high water nymphs. Continue reading →

Posted in Lower Willamette, McKenzie River | 3 Comments

Nicholas Heading North to the Kanektok in 2011

Posted on March 20, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

kenectok salmon fishing

So here’s a question. Why would anyone want to go to Alaska to fish for Kings when the same fish can be caught here in Oregon? Good question. The simple answer is, “look at that silly grin on Rob Elam’s face with a Kanektok King in this photo.”

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Posted in Fly Fishing Travel | 10 Comments

Argentina Fly Fishing Travel

Posted on March 18, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

covich argentina

Our friend and sales rep Jon Covich just returned from a 3 week trip to Argentina. Summer is looking pretty good right now. Thanks for sharing Jon. Check out future issues of Catch Magazine for more on his trip.

Jorge Graziosi is now a fixture in Argentine fly fishing circles, having now guided for more than 40 years. His lodge, Arroyo Claro, sits amongst the trees, high above the beautiful Carrileufu Valley, just outside the gates of Alerces National Park.

I have now fished with, and taken photos for Jorge three times. This latest adventure, in January of this year, was one of the best. Continue reading →

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No Shortage of Bad Weather

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

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It takes a lot to trigger performance anxiety this far into my angling career. Fishing days are my own since I quit guiding, and I’m going for good times, come hell or high water. Last week, though, I had the jitters. My usual weekend excursion was to include two of my favorite authors, John Gierach and Scott Sadil. That part was great, if not a little daunting. But as the weekend approached, with plane tickets purchased and accommodations pre-paid, the fish gods threw us a knuckle ball. The hydrological prediction shifted from desirable to precarious. So much so, that when Scott called for the final word on Thursday night, I did not know what to tell him. A decade of guiding this country had taught me never to cancel trips due to weather forecasts. Continue reading →

Posted in Fishing Reports, Oregon Salmon fly fishing, Oregon Winter Steelhead Fishing | 9 Comments

Changing site name to Oregon Bigfoot Blog?

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

This just in from Siskiyou Bigfoot Correspondent Issac Roman: I am a guide in Siskiyou county….32 yrs & I live in Dunsmuir, but travel the tributaries to the Klamath quite often…..a couple summers ago we stumbled upon this prints up a creek off of one of these tribs……earlier in the morning my pops tried to relieve the gut a bit and got pretty spooked. He came back to camp and mentioned he felt like he was being watched…..but there definitely was no humans around…..so we went for a walk and came across this in bed of d.g…..the rock was dislodged a pressed into the d.g.(decomposed granite)……we don’t know what it was, but it definitely was not a bear print….four toes and the big toe was giant….also no claws……just thought you would enjoy checking these out….the flip flop was a size 11…

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Posted in Oregon Bigfoot | 8 Comments

Hidden Bead March Brown Wet Fly Tying Video

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

High water usually coincides with the March Brown emergence on the Mckenzie and Willamette Rivers near Eugene. One of our favorite methods to catch trout during the emergence is to swing one or two wet flies on a floating line and a 9-10ft leader. Many traditional wets can work, Coachman Wet, Dark Cahill, Light Cahill, Hare’s Ear Soft Hackle and Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle to name a few. But when you need that wet to stay down as it swings across that fast edge or riffle give the Hidden Bead March Brown Wet a go. The added weight to the traditional look will help the fly track and sink better in faster runs and tail-outs than many of the lighter “traditionals”.

Hidden bead March Brown Wet fly

Hidden Bead March Brown Wet Fly

Hook: TMC 3761 or Daiichi 1560 #10-16
Bead: Gold to match hook size
Thread: Ultra Thread Rusty Brown 70D
Tail: Pheasant Tail Fibers
Rib: Brassie Copper Wire
Body Casing: Pheasant Tail Fibers
Body: UV Ice Dub Tan
Hackle: India Hen Back Natural
Wing: Mallard Flank Dyed Woodduck Tan

Posted in Fly Tying, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River | 4 Comments

Ice Dub X-Caddis Fly Tying Video

Posted on March 13, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

The X-Caddis is one of our favorite Caddis patterns. It is especially effective in flat water, eddies and banks where selective trout are gobbling small Caddis. The pattern was originated by Craig Matthews of West Yellowstone fame and continues to prove itself wherever Caddis species are present. Continue reading →

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March Madness: Late winter steelhead, bigfoot reports rolling into the shop

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

We’ve gotten some great winter steelhead reports from Mike Bellmore (pictured), James Frasier and Dave Reese.

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Posted in Fishing Reports, Oregon Winter Steelhead Fishing | 2 Comments

Spring Cleaning Sale on Now at the Shop

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

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We are closing out much of our Fall/Winter clothing from EX Officio, Simms, Mt. Khaki’s, NAU, and Patagonia. Get great deals on fishing shirts, jackets and pants. Many items are marked well below cost. Continue reading →

Posted in Shop Sales and Specials | Leave a comment

TU Meeting Tonight: What’s wrong with the Sandy River? Hatchery impacts on wild salmonids

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Join us tonight for our monthly TU meeting, Wednesday March 9th at 7pm, in the green room downstairs on the left at the Vet’s Club, 1626 Willamette St. Eugene. We’re hosting special guest Spencer Miles. Spencer is a steelhead fly fisherman and wild fish advocate who lives in Portland. He is a river steward for the Native Fish Society and has recently been involved in a campaign to reform the Sandy River’s salmon and steelhead hatchery programs.

Save Sandy Salmon Postcard - Front
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Posted in Oregon Conservation News | Leave a comment

Bigfoot hunt continues on the McKenzie River

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Unless you’ve been living like a squatch in the woods for the past year, you probably heard that Oregon Fly Fishing Blog accidentally shot the most significant bigfoot video of the 21st century. Now two and a half years later, the hunt for Sasquatch in the McKenzie River Valley has reached fever pitch.

Rumors abound that a national cable network filmed a TV show this past week featuring the McKenzie Sasquatch. Below are some grainy photos that may or may not confirm said rumors.

McKenzie River Bigfoot
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Posted in McKenzie River | 9 Comments