Barrett’s 1150 March Brown Nymph

In this video Barrett Christiansen demonstrates how to tie his proven March Brown nymph pattern. Using UV Ice Dub to simulate budding wing pads and India Hen Back for legs this pattern is deadly. Fish this fly “pre-hatch” in medium to shallow depth riffles. The 1150 March Brown Nymph is a go to early season nymph.

March Brown Nymph UV Dub

1150 March Brown Nymph
Hook: Daiichi 1150 # 10,12
Thread: 6/0 Uni Brown or Camel
Bead: 1/8″ Black Tungsten
Tail: 6-8 Pheasant Tail Fibers
Rib: Ultra Wire Brown or Copper
Abdomen: Australian Opossum
Wing Case: Cinnamon Turkey
Thorax: Australian Opossum and UV Ice Dub Tan
Hackle: Natural India Hen Back

Posted in Fly Tying | 1 Comment

North Coast Oregon Winter Steelhead: Black and White

Oregon Steelhead Fishing

Oregon Steelhead Fishing

Oregon Steelhead Fishing

Oregon Steelhead Fishing

Oregon Steelhead Fishing

Oregon Steelhead Fishing

Oregon Steelhead Fishing

Oregon Steelhead Fishing

Oregon Steelhead Fishing

Oregon Steelhead Fishing

Oregon Steelhead Fishing

Oregon Steelhead Fishing

Oregon Steelhead Fishing

Oregon Steelhead Fishing

Oregon Steelhead Fishing

Oregon Steelhead Fishing

Oregon Steelhead Fishing

Oregon Steelhead Fishing

Oregon Steelhead Fishing

-MS

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

New Studs for felt and Vibram sole wading boots: Grip Studs

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Grip Studs located in Merlin Oregon manufactures screw in studs for ATV’s, motorcycles, trucks, snowmobiles, boots and anything else that touches the ground. Grip studs have been used in high velocity applications for years and are an extremely proven traction device. Grip studs have recently been introduced to anglers trying to get extra traction and life out of their wading boots. Click this link for a review and how to discussion for applying Grip Studs to felt boots.

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Grip studs in rubber boots

We have used these studs in our boots here at The Caddis Fly. They really work! They are easy to get in and out of rubber soles, new Vibram soles or felt soles.

Several key advantages to these studs over sheet metal type screw in studs. Grip Studs have solid tungsten-carbide tips that won’t easily wear down. They have insets or “key grips” on each side of the stud allowing for easy removal and installation. Grip Studs have a very wide thread base meaning once they are in they are secure and won’t wobble or lay down flat against the sole. This wide thread base and unique thread design make for solid but short penetration in the boot sole, preventing puncture all the way through a boots sole. We have yet to find a boot that these will not work in.

We know how hard is has been to get after market studs from certain manufactures. Grip studs are not just an alternative, they are a proven product.–CD

Posted in Fly Fishing Gear Review | 3 Comments

Late winter/early spring steelhead

j.Cichy winter steelhead

The end of March is the time when people start to ask; are there many winter steelhead left? and when are the summer steelhead going to be in?

The answer to the first question is, Yes! Although the major push of winter steelhead is over in most rivers, there are still rivers holding steelhead, and others where the run is peaking. The Santiam River system will have both winter and summer steelhead March and April. Places such as the North Umpqua have their best winter fishing in March and April, and many of our local coastal rivers have late runs of native fish. If you are fishing these rivers, it is best to focus on the upper stretches, as this is where most of the fish have moved to. The drawback of fishing this time of the year for winter steelhead is that many of them are spawning. It is not ethical to fish over spawning fish, so please avoid fishing over redds. If you see mating activity, watch and enjoy, but move to another area. Flies to use at this time of the year are: Pick yer’ pocket, Guide Intruders, Dirk’s Wiggler, and egg patterns.

J. Cichy winter steelhead

The second answer to the steelhead question is: they are on the way. There are already a few hundred summer steelhead over the Willamette Falls, and it is expected to be a better than average year for fish in the Mckenzie and Willamette rivers. A few summer steelhead have been caught in the valley, so it won’t be long before they are here in fishable numbers. MOAL leeches, Morejohn’s Bantam, Bush’s Town Run, Green Butt Skunk, and Purple Perils are all good choices to swing for chrome, hard fighting early summer runs. Basically, it is all part of the Oregon endless steelhead season.–JC

Posted in Fishing Reports, Lower Willamette, North Umpqua River Fishing Reports, Oregon Fly Fishing Tips, Oregon Winter Steelhead Fishing, Summer Steelhead | 5 Comments

Jay’s Winter Steelhead Simplicity v2 Pink

In Jay’s latest fly tying video he demonstrates palmering Dyed Grizzly saddle hackle, selecting hackle for web and the use of Polar Chenille as a collar on a steelhead fly. Don’t be shy on this one, feel free to substitute colors and a smaller size for a killer Summer steelhead pattern.

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Hook: Daiichi 2151 #1,2
Thread: Lagartun 95D Black
Rear Body: Lagartun Mini Flat Braid Holo Silver
Body: STS Trilobal Dub, various colors
Rib: Copper Wire Med
Hackle: Reverse Palmered Dyed Grizzle Saddle Hackle
Collar 1: UV Polar Chenille Gold
Colar 2: Strung Saltwater Neck Hackle or Schlappen
Head: Liquid Fusion
Dryer: Big Fly Turner

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Lake Leech Fly

In our latest video Jay Nicholas demonstrates the use of a dubbing loop with coarse dubbing materials. Hare’e Wiggle Dub can be used in more traditional nymphs as well. It makes a great Hare’s Ear substitute, adding motion and “bugginess”. The Lake Leech is a simple but effective pattern for fly fishing still-waters around the globe.

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Hook: TMC 5263 #8
Bead: 5/32
Thread: Lagartun 95D Thread Olive
Tail: Olive Wooly Bugger Marabou
Body: Hare’e Wiggle Dub in Dubbing Loop

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McKenzie in great shape, Caddis hatch developing

The McKenzie and Willamette rivers remain in fantastic (low water) condition. Boating and wading conditions are ideal. March Browns continue to emerge daily, however bright and windy conditions have made the usually reliable March Brown fishing a bit slow compared to previous cloudy days.

Sunny days when temperatures edge over about 60 degrees significant numbers of caddis have been present. Caddis emergences have been starting around mid-day and lasting as long as the warmth of the day. Good patterns to match the variety of caddis include: Peacock Caddis size 16,18, Adams size 14,16, Hot Butt Emerging Caddis size 18 and Black Elk Hair Caddis size 16 and 18.

Nymphing with Golden Stone patterns like Beldar’s Double Bead Stone, Carnazzo’s Stepping Stone Golden, smaller Possie Buggers and Beadhead Pheasant Tails remain effective. Try Beadhead Caddis Poopah Olive and Tan, Fox’s Micro Caddis Pupa Insect Green and Bloom’s Gallatin Glo Pupa, Bright Rhyacophila. Enjoy the sunshine.–CD

Don’t miss the Sharkskin Sale

Posted in Fishing Reports, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing | 1 Comment

Sharkskin Fly Line Sale

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Spring has sprung and it’s time to look at your fly lines and leaders. If your line is cracking, sinking or it’s just time to replace it we have a special running that may help. Select Sharkskin fly lines including GPX, Magnum, Trout and Steelhead Tapers have been reduced $30. If you have wanted to try the Sharkskin line but the $99.95 have kept you away this is the time. At $69.95 the Sharkskin is now in line with Rio and Scientific Anglers standards. Check out the selection of Sharkskin lines at this link. We love these line and are simply overstocked for the spring.–CD

Posted in Shop Sales and Specials | Leave a comment

Jay’s Winter Steelhead Simplicity: Fly tying video

In Jay Nicholas‘s latest fly tying video he uses Saltwater Neck Hackle to create a collar for his Winter Steelhead Simplicity pattern. Don’t be afraid to mix up colors on this great looking fly. Imagine a purple and black combo, or a green flat braid rear and a black Senyo Laser Dubbed front body.

Jay’s Winter Steelhead Simplicity
Hook: Daiichi 2151 # 1,2
Thread: Lagartun 95D Black
Rear Body: Lagartun Mini Flat Braid Holo Silver
Rib: Lagartun Oval Gold Tinsel
Body: Senyo’s Laser Yarn
Collar 1: Polar Chenille UV Gold
Head: Liquid Fusion
Turner: For Drying

Posted in Fly Tying, Oregon Winter Steelhead Fishing | 1 Comment

Jay’s Green Rock Worm: Caddis Pupae Fly Tying video

In this fly tying video, Jay Nicholas shows you how to tie a Green Rockworm caddis Pupae, a great all around spring pattern all over the West. Easy to tie, great pattern to fish.

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Green Rockworm Caddis Pupae
Hook: TMC 3761 # 12-16 or Daiichi 1560
Thread: 8/0 Uni Black
Bead: 1/8-3/32 Black Tungsten
Body: Rockworm Green Rabbit and Ice Dub Blended
Hackle: Hungarian Partridge
Head: Black Ice Dub

Posted in Fly Tying | 7 Comments

Borden’s Special: Sea Run Cutthroat Fly Pattern

In this new fly tying video, Jay Nicholas shows you how to tie a killer sea run cutthroat fly, created by Hareline Dubbin founder Bob Borden. Jay also demonstrates how to select and use schlappen hackle, arctic fox wing, and dubbing.

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Borden’s Special
Hook: TMC 3761 # 4-10
Thread: Lagartun Black X-strong 95 denier
Rib: Oval Lagartun Small Silver
Wing: White Arctic Fox Tail
Collar: Schlappen yellow and Hot Pink

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Local rivers rise but not out, March Brown Hatch in full swing

wild mckenzie rainbow

Recent rains did bump the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers, however they are still very low compared to historical flows. Look for the rivers to begin dropping back down right away. We have some great weather fore-casted for early in the week and hatches should be very good. Prepare your box with March Brown Emergers, March Brown Parachutes and Sparkle Duns, Blue Winged Olives, Possie Buggers, Mega Princes, Pheasant Tails, Golden Stone Nymphs, Half Down Goldens and Elk Hair Caddis. The stones and caddis are likely to get going with warm temperatures on the horizon. We have observed some sporadic caddis activity on both the McKenzie and Middle Fork late in the day.

Posted in Fishing Reports, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Middle Fork Willamette River fishing | 5 Comments

Dubbed Head Egg Sucking Leech Fly

This instructional fly tying video, Jay Nicholas demonstrates the use of thread dubbing loops for coarse dubbing materials, a great Daiichi hook and two tone Crosscut rabbit. This shorty-leech is very easy to tie and very effective.

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Dubbed head egg sucking leech

Hook: Daiichi 2151 # 2
Thread: Lagartun 95D Fl. Orange
Body: Two Tone Crosscut Rabbit Violet/Purple
Eyes: Pseudo Eyes Large
Flash: Mirage Opal Flash
Head: STS dubbing loop and blend of Fl. Flame, Fl Pink, Fl. Orange

Be sure to check out our steelhead fly tying video library.

Posted in Fly Tying | 3 Comments

Meeting Reminder: Mckenzie Watershed Council

Tonight, the Mckenzie Watershed Council will be meeting at the EWEB facility in downtown Eugene. From 5:30-7:00. Jeff Ziller, District Biologist will be presenting on the Status and Managment of Mckenzie River Trout. He will be taking questions from the public and the Council members.

This is a great opportunity to gather information and to show the Council just how many of us care about the severe depletion of wild trout in 35 miles of the Mckenzie. Our last showing at the ODFW public meweting made a positive impression on ODFW senior staff. Let’s do the same thing for the watershed council and keep our momentum going! Hope to see you there.–KM

McKenzie River Native Trout Coalition

Posted in Oregon Conservation News, Oregon Fly Fishing Clubs and Events | 2 Comments

Trout Unlimited Meeting tonight — Spring Trout Tactics plus Fly Tying activities

Reminder: Trout Unlimited Meeting tonight, guest speaker Ethan Nickel

Veteran fly fishing guide Ethan Nickel will be speaking at the Trout Unlimited meeting next week, presenting on spring fishing tactics for trout. 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