First day swinging for summer steelhead on the Eugene town run

I went out on my first trip targeting the Willamette Summer Steelhead over the weekend. With over 2,000 summer steelhead over Willamette Falls fish count, and clearing water on the drop in the town run, we had a shot.

We didn’t hook up with any steelhead that day, swinging leeches in the usual spots. But the diver and bait anglers did well up river. We did hook into a few really big native urban redsides.

Eugene Willamette River Town Run

We also saw tons of cormorants, more than I’ve ever seen this far inland. Maybe the hatchery steelhead smolt migration is bringing them in?

Eugene Willamette River Town Run

Eugene search and rescue teams ran up and down the river getting some practice in for the inner-tube season. Summer and summer steelhead are close.

Eugene Willamette River Town Run

Eugene Willamette River Town Run

Eugene Willamette River Town Run
-MS

Posted in Lower Willamette, Summer Steelhead | 7 Comments

Red Gold at the University of Oregon Law School Thursday

Come see Red Gold on the big screen at the U of O Law School room 175 on Thursday April 22, 6pm. Tickets are $3 at the door for the public, free to U of O students. There will be some door prizes and an afterparty at Agate Alley following the film.

redgold in Eugene

Red Gold | trailer from felt soul media on Vimeo.

Organizer Jon Rue is looking for some ideas on headcount, so if you can RSVP at redgoldeugene@gmail.com.

Posted in Oregon Fly Fishing Clubs and Events | Leave a comment

Streaker McKenzie Green Caddis

In this video Barrett shows us one of his favorite adult Green McKenzie Caddis patterns. The Streaker McKenzie Green Caddis fishes well dead drift or skated across the surface with added movement to emulate the active adult caddis. The spun comparadun deer hair head gives the fly a “muddler” like quality that fish cannot resist. Look for the McKenzie Green Caddis emergence to begin any day now.–CD

Streaker McKenzie Caddis


Streaker McKenzie Green Caddis

Hook: TMC 100 or Daiichi 1180 #8-12
Thread: 6/0 Black Uni-Thread
Body: Micro Velvet Chenille Green McKenzie Caddis
Underwing: Dun Sparkle Emerger Yarn
Wing/Head: Dyed Dun Comparadun Deer Hair treated with Watershed

Posted in Fly Tying, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing | Leave a comment

Middle Fork of the Willamette Report

Thursday was another bright warm day on the Middle Fork, with a billion Grannom Caddis. Frankly I am getting a bit tired of these little guys. Swarms of bugs and very few fish up is simply disheartening. The water on the Middle Fork is in perfect shape and fishing should be much better than we had this past Thursday. Ideal weather is in our weekend forecast, warm and possible precip should have the fish looking up.

We did have a few fish rising and unable to get a few of the standards that usually work during the caddis hatch ( Parachute Adams, X-Caddis, Royal Wulff ) I put on a CDC Green McKenzie Caddis and it worked. Hopefully this is a good sign and we will see a good Green Caddis hatch this year.

CDC Green Caddis Middle fork bow

Black Stonefly Nymphs and Golden Stonefly nymphs were the other winners for the day.–CD

Rainbow on the Middle Fork

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

Bad art and good memories: Fish painting

It runs in my blood. My great grandfather made literally hundreds of really odd landscape paintings. Apparently I’m following in his footsteps. Out of nowhere last week, I decided to pick up a bunch of art supplies. Jay’s latest artwork got me inspired.

I started about five days ago, painting a different scene from last fall and winter’s favorite fishing days. My last day of the spring 2010 winter steelhead season, a run on the Deschutes that Rob and I stole from Chris after he broke his rod on a fish, Jay hooked up with a big rainbow on the lower McKenzie, Ethan with his whale of a redside, my first chum salmon.

Cook Creek

Deschutes Fall 09

More Crazy Paintings -- HUGE MCKENZIE TROUT

Jay Hooked up McKz

Chum Salmon

I can’t really draw, or paint. But what’s cool about this is what I remember. How much more detail is clear in my mind again. I’m going off photos, remembering the day, trying to copy down what it was like, rather than trying to make it look good. Buy a sketch pad and try it on your next two hour-long conference call. Seriously.
-MS

Posted in Oregon Winter Steelhead Fishing | 7 Comments

Hareline Fly Tying Contest: Green McKenzie Caddis

We are excited to announce another Hareline Dubbin fly tying contest! This time the pattern is the Green McKenzie Caddis. Send us your best Arctopsyche grandis imitation and you’ll have a chance to win some great prizes.

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Dries, nymphs or wet flies — send your bugs to the Caddis Fly Shop by May 15th to be eligible. Drop off or mail two finished flies at The Caddis Fly Shop, along with paperwork that includes the fly pattern name, material list, your name and address, and either email or phone number for contact. You will not get the flies back — one will go to Hareline and one will go to the shop. Bob Borden and the folks from Hareline Dubbin will be judge of the fly patterns.

Your flies will be featured on the blog.

PRIZES

FIRST: Three different models of the Rite Bobbin tools
SECOND: Full color run of Chewee Skin
THIRD: Renzetti soft foam fly tying tool organizer

Posted in Fly Fishing Contests, Fly Tying | 2 Comments

Rare and Unusual Hackle Available Now

We have recently received some gorgeous Cree, “Cree like”, and Variant saddles and capes. Cree and Variants are often hard to find but offer a natural contrast that is hard to emulated. Check these saddles and capes out below. If you have questions or specific color/size requests please feel free to call us anytime (541) 342 7005–CD

Pro Grade Ginger Variant

Pro Grade Ginger Variant

Pro Grade Ginger/Badger

Whiting Half Saddle Grizzly Variant Silver Grade

1/2 Saddle Silver Grizzly Variant

1/2 Saddle Silver Grizzly Variant

Whiting Half Cape Dark Barred Ginger Bronze

1/2 Cape Bronze Barred Dark Ginger

1/2 Cape Bronze Barred Dark Ginger

Whiting Whole Capes Bronze Cree

Whole Cape Bronze Cree

Posted in Fly Tying, Shop Sales and Specials | 2 Comments

Southern Oregon rivers need suction dredge mining protection

An editorial in the Register-Guard today points out a recent ban in California on suction dredge mining will drive even more of the private mine operators onto Southern Oregon Rivers.

According to the RG, suction dredge miners are “destabilizing configurations of rock, gravel and fine sediment that have taken many years to form and that provide a stable, predictable habitat important to the survival of spawning salmon and steelhead.”

Governor Kulongoski, Senators Wyden and Merkley and Rep DeFazio have pleaded to the Obama administration to take the Siskiyou streams out of further mining development, but you can try to put further pressure by contacting the Department of the Interior.
-MS

Posted in Oregon Conservation News, Southern Oregon | 2 Comments

Chewee Skin Green McKenzie Soft Hackle

Swinging wets during the Green McKenzie Caddis emergence can be deadly. We like to combine a larger “emerger” wet below a high floating dry, or use the wet above a Dark Cahill in a tandem wet fly rig. In this video Barrett demonstrates another cool use of Chewee Skin from Hareline Dubbin. Chewee Skin is really easy to work with for wingcases and body wraps as in the case of this wet fly pattern. Try the U.V yellow for a smaller Pale Morning Dun pattern as well.

Chewee Skin Green McKenzie Soft Hackle

Chewee Skin Green McKenzie Soft Hackle

Hook: TMC 3761 or Daiichi 1560 #8-12
Thread: 6/0 Black Uni-Thread
Body UV Caddis Green Chewee Skin
Thorax: UV Black Ice Dub
Hackle: Natural Partridge

Posted in Fly Tying, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River | Leave a comment

Simms/GORE-TEX® Wader Rebate Program!

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The Simms/GORE-TEX® Wader Rebate Program will be offered on a limited basis to a select few authorized Simms Dealers! This means you need to ACT NOW if you want to take advantage of this ground breaking program!

Program Specifics:
•Trade in any brand breathable wader for your $50 instant rebate on G3 Guide,G3 Guide Convertible, G4 Pro and G4Z waders OR $25 instant rebate on Headwaters, Women’s Headwaters, and Headwaters Pant waders.
• Trade-in waders must be breathable
• You can either ship your waders to the shop or bring them to a store to qualify along with your instant rebate coupon from Simms.
• Vouchers must be redeemed by May 31, 2010.

There are 2 ways to qualify for your rebate:
1. In Store Option -Follow the online instructions and print out your voucher. Stop in our store with your old waders and your voucher to receive your $50 or $25 instant rebate on your new Simms Waders!

2.Online Option -Follow the online instructions and print out your voucher. Mail the voucher and your old waders to us at:

The Caddis Fly Angling Shop
Caddisflyshop.com
168 West 6th ave
Eugene OR 97401

Print Voucher

Posted in Shop Sales and Specials | Leave a comment

Remdinder: Trout Unlimited meeting tonight w/ guest speaker Jeff Ziller

Reminder: Trout Unlimited Meeting tonight, guest speaker Jeff Ziller.

ODFW district biologist Jeff Ziller will be speaking at the Trout Unlimited meeting tonight, presenting on rainbow trout in the McKenzie River. The meeting starts at 7pm and is free and open to the public. The meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at the Eagles Aerie, 1375 Irving Rd, Eugene.

We’re also featuring two new activities at tonight’s meeting

FLY SWAP

RULES:

-Tie or purchase 6 flies.
-Bring those 6 flies to the meeting.

Each participant will bring 6 flies to the meeting. These flies can be tied by you, by someone else or purchased. The 6 flies you bring will be presented as a “set”. These flies do not have to be identical or even the same pattern, you simply have to have six flies to participate.

After all the sets are submitted, you will draw a number from the bucket.

The number you draw will determine the order that you get to choose your flies. Example: If you are number one, you get to choose any set of flies. If you are number two, you can choose the set you want from the remaining sets of flies. Etc.

You are then instructed to fish those flies and have fun.

BROWN BAG SPECIAL

Objective:
This is an exercise that will stimulate your imagination. The goal is to make you think “outside the box”.

Overview:
Each bag contains exactly the same materials. Your goal is to tie one fly from the materials in the bag. Imagination is the key here.

Rules:
• You must use at least a small amount of every material provided in the bag.
• You may not add, subtract or substitute any materials from the bag.
• The only thing not provided in the bag is thread. You may use any
color thread you desire.
• You must return the completed fly to the meeting the following month
for it to be placed in the competition.

General Information:
You may purchase a “brown bag special” before the meeting or during the break. Funds go toward TU room rental costs. When you return the tied fly to the meeting the following month, the flies from all participants will be displayed and the members will vote on the best fly tied.

The winner will receive a fly tying related prize. This prize will change monthly. The flies that are tied and submitted for judging will be collected throughout the year and will be used as a donation, auction item or fund raiser for the chapter.

Posted in Oregon Conservation News, Oregon Fly Fishing Clubs and Events | 1 Comment

CDC McKenzie Green Caddis Pattern V2

Every year we look forward to the Green McKenzie Caddis emergence on the McKenzie and Middle Fork of the Willamette Rivers. The bugs usually start showing themselves during the later half of April and remain an important fly pattern for your box through June. Barrett’s foam bodied CDC pattern in this video is a killer. The fly floats high, has excellent movement,  coloration and durability.

CDC Green McKenzie

CDC Green Caddis V2

Hook: TMC 100 or Daiichi 1180 #8-12
Thread: 6/0 Black Uni-Thread
Body: 2mm Chartreuse Foam
Hackle: Marc Petitjean CDC Lt. Mallow or Dun CDC
Wing: Dyed Dun Comparadun Deer Hair
Tool: Marc Petitjean Magic Tool and Petitjean Bobbin to form Dubbing Loop

Posted in Fly Tying, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River | 2 Comments

Lower McKenzie River Report for mid-April

I woke up Sunday morning with the intention of having a lazy day at home watching The Masters. But about ten minutes in I couldn’t handle it, I had to get onto the river. After a quick call to a friend, we were on the river. Expecting to be fishing behind a bunch of boats, I was surprised to see a lack of fishermen on a beautiful, overcast day. Not seeing much bug activity we decided that it was best to start off nymphing. “What the hell is going on?” my friend said. “We always get a few nymphing.” Disgruntled by the lack of a hook-up on the nymphs, I threw out my Royal Coachman/March Brown Soft Hackle combo and proceeded to slowly boat swing it down one of my favorite flats while my friend nymphed the outside. Less than 10 seconds into this WHAM!, my rod was doubled over and the first fish of the day was hooked.

McKenzie River Rainbow Trout

Then another, and another. Finally noticing a few march browns flying around and a rise downstream, I had my buddy put on a Royal Wulff (inspired by the Lee Wulff video I had just seen) and after a nice cast, a big redside nailed it and proceeded to rip him downstream into the backing. The fish eventually released himself, but the sound of the click and pawl Hardy Lightweight screaming is something neither of us will forget. After this, the day became an average day with a few small to medium sized fish hooked. But just above the boat ramp, when I was more than ready to go home and eat; indicator dunk, rod heavily bent, and good fish on.

McKenzie River Rainbow Trout

“Let’s row back up and see if there is another one.”

McKenzie River Rainbow Trout

It was a good way to end a day that I wasn’t even expecting to fish. With mild temps and showers in the forecast for the next few days, it should be a great time to get a few more days of the 2010 march brown hatch.–JC

Posted in Fishing Reports, McKenzie River | Leave a comment

Quigley’s Green Drake Emerger fly tying video

In this fly tying video Barrett demonstrates how to tie one of our favorite Green Drake Emerger patterns. This “Quigley” style fly fishes in the surface film and works great during a Green Drake hatch. You can vary the size depending upon the size of your water’s Green Drakes. The Ostrich fibers in the pattern hanging and “breathing” as this fly dead drifts over picky fish seem to make the difference.–CD

Green Drake Emerger

Green Drake Emerger

Hook: TMC 200R #10,12 or Daiichi 1270
Thread: Uni 6/0 Black or Olive
Shuck: Olive Antron
Body: Olive Ostrich
Rib: Yellow Ultra Wire
Wing: Deer Hair
Hackle: Olive Grizzly Dry Fly Hackle

If you don’t have the dyed grizzly use a Chart Pack Pen Pale Olive Color

Posted in Fly Tying | Leave a comment

Spey Casting Classes on the Willamette

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The Caddis Fly is pleased to announce a unique new Spey casting school designed for individuals and small groups with busy schedules. Starting April 12th, we will offer evening classes of two hours each, from 6pm to 8pm Monday through Thursday. Individual students are welcome, and each class will be limited to three students. That means each student will receive plenty of one-on-one instruction during their two-hour session. Morning classes will begin in May, starting at 5:45am. Anyone wanting to improve their stroke, from beginners to advanced casters, will gain from one or more of these on-the-river sessions.

Rob Russell, our resident journeyman Spey instructor, will conduct these new classes at Alton Baker Park. Rob has been teaching two-handed casting for 10 years, and has developed a comfortable, down-to-earth style. “I think it is important to simplify Spey casting, especially for beginners,” he says. “It’s a back-cast and a forward-cast, just like overhand casting. The main difference is that our fly doesn’t leave the water during the back-cast.” Rob recognizes that different people learn in different ways, and he adapts his teaching style accordingly. “At some point during the first session with a new student, I begin to get a feel for their learning style. It’s a lot of fun to see the light go on in their eyes when I find the right approach.” Rob credits his favorite instructors for giving him the tools he uses. “I consider Simon Gawesworth to be the most brilliant and effective casting instructor I’ve ever met,” Rob says, “but I come back to Dec Hogan all the time. Dec’s is the voice in my head, reminding me to relax and have fun. I credit Scott O’Donnell and Way Yin for helping me minimize tailing loops, which has undoubtedly saved me from many trips to the emergency room.”

Alton Baker Park is an amazing setting for these classes. It is conveniently located in the center of Eugene, and offers several classic steelhead runs between the boat ramp and the Ferry Street Bridge. Wading is relatively easy, though cleated soles are highly recommended. Tackle can be provided or bring your own. If you would like to demo a particular rod let us know and we will try to bring that rod and line combo. Using the boat ramp area as the center for these classes allows Rob to row students to the South bank for “river-left” training as needed. Last year, Rob taught a few classes in the same location, and more than one summer steelhead was hooked.

The cost is $50 per person, per session. Anyone interested in taking advantage of these convenient, personalized new Spey classes can call the shop to schedule: 541-342-7005.

Posted in Classes and Instruction | 2 Comments