We will once again be meeting at Ninkasi’s Better Living Room, 155 Blair Blvd on November 30 at 5:30 pm. McKenzie River Steward Dave Thomas will be on hand to catch us all up on what is happening with EWEB’s decision to either decommission or rebuild the Leaburg Dam and Canal. We will then discuss potential actions the Chapter might take to support the decommissioning and removal of the dam.
I hope to see you all there! As always, feel free to bring friends!
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me,
Awesome mix of goods this season – filled with things you don’t need, things you want and things you should have. That about sums up your fly fishing arsenal, right?
One item we’re particularly excited about is the new Patagonia Swiftcurrent wading jacket. Perfect length for wading or wearing in the boot, with the addition of adjustable cuffs that you see in the whitewater paddling community. Not to mention, this actually keeps you dry.
The new rods from Echo, the Trout X and Boost Fresh, continue to exceed our expectations while maintaining an affordable option for a quality rod. Fishpond continues to impress with their line of backpacks – the Ridgeline and Firehole backpacks cover the board for simple day trips and long outings where you might prefer to carry more in.
Next up is the classic Renzetti Traveler Series vise, available in matte silver, black, red or blue. These things have stood the test of time while continuing to get more and more beautiful.
Below, we’ve linked the complete list of what we’re liking this season ranging from new, innovative tying tools to comfortable hoodies, hats and socks.
Recent drops in temperature and fluctuations in flow have trout acting more like their winter selves. You’ll find them holding in deep pools or softer water conserving energy for the colder months to come. Due to this change in their behavior, a different approach and smaller flies are often required to get fish to eat. The warmest part of the day and into the evening will be the most productive, so getting out super early isn’t necessary.
Nymphing will be productive, as most fish are holding deep with our recent weather. This time of year, we are fishing smaller nymphs; most of the nymphs are in the 14-18 size range except for the larger, more mature stoneflies. Pairing a small nymph with a larger, heavier one can help get your flies deeper where fish are holding this time of year. “Jigged Berry’s PCP” #16, “Jigged Rainbow Warrior” #16, ”, “Jigged Sassi’s Solution” #16, or “BH Lighting Bug #16 all make great options for smaller nymphs. For larger nymphs imitating stoneflies, “Streb’s Lazy J Stone” #10, ” #8, “Jigged D-Rib Stonefly” #10, or a “Pat’s Rubber Legs” #8-12 work great. A size 16 “Split Case BWO” paired with a small green soft hackle can be productive when swung during the warmer parts of the day.
Fishing dry flies can still work this time of year, but you have to time it right, and have the right conditions. During the middle of the day, there’s a good chance of a blue wing olive hatch. There is a greater chance of this on particularly warm days. When these small mayflies are coming off, a size 16-18 mayfly pattern will be appropriate. “Morrish May Day” #17-19, “Almost Dun” #18, and the “Hatchmaster BWO” #16-18 are great options. If these are too small to see, consider tagging one 14-18 inches behind a larger fly. There are lingering October caddis, so using a large October caddis imitation to help you locate your smaller blue winged olive can be helpful when its too small to spot. An “Orange Stimulator” #12, “J’s October Hi-Tie Caddis” #10-12, or “Morrish’s October Caddis” #8 are all great October caddis imitations. These can produce big eats closer to dusk.
Both of our local rivers, the Mckenzie and the Middle Fork Willamette are in good shape to fish. The Mckenzie is low and the Willamette is stabilizing after high water, but is still fishable. Both systems will produce fish this time of year, you might just have to take a different approach with this colder weather. Have fun out there!
My family and I are lucky enough to get to fish at Playa Blanca Lodge Mexico November-20-26, 2022. This is the first of 6 photo journal posts for OregonFlyFishingBlog. Day ONE, arrival via charter from Cancun.
They say the only constant is change and that seems to hold true here in the shop. With this tie, we’re adding a twist to a classic with some modern materials. The Cahill pattern stands the test of time, as it was initially tied by Dan Cahill over 100 years ago. The original Cahill dry pattern Dan tied imitated a Pale Morning or Evening Dun. This one imitates October Caddis and while there still may be a few kicking around into November, don’t fear throwing these all fall and winter long.
Anyhow, we enjoy this simple beauty and think you might, too.
From FlyLords Magazine and written by Patrick Perry.
Check out this article on fishing the Northern Oregon Coast with Captain Rob Perkin.
The fog stuck low to the ground, and the tops of the Douglas Firs could be seen over the inversion of clouds. The beach felt warm and with each step, the humid salty air filled the lung cavities. read the rest here: Doryland
International Fly Fishing Film Festival visits Eugene/Springfield November 15th, 2022.
True West is excited to once again be hosting the International Fly Fishing Film Festival on November 15th! The new twist to this year’s showing is that we will be hosting at Planktown Brewing with free food and beer included in the price of the ticket. If you haven’t joined us before the IF4 is a amazing collection of professionally made fly fishing films from around the globe that highlight the beauty and culture of fly fishing. Along with watching the films we have an awesome time raffling off over $4000 in great fishing gear, art, and trips all for a great cause! We host the IF4 as a fundraiser for Fly Fishing Collaborative, a Portland based non-profit that is doing great work fighting poverty and human trafficking around the globe. All proceeds raised through the event this year will go directly to the newest FFC project on Warm Spring Reservation in Central Oregon. Every ticket purchased helps FFC fight for justice and make a difference in our own backyard.
Where: Planktown Brewing, 346 Main St Springfield, OR
When: November 15th, 2022 6;30pm
Get your ticket at The Caddis Fly or Home Waters Fly Shop or online at https://www.showclix.com/event/if42022springfieldor. Now that the event is being held at Planktown, space is much more limited and we are only selling 100 tickets. Get yours before they sell out!
The North Umpqua Foundation Auction is currently live. Click here to view items for bid. You can also simply make a donation here.
Founded in 1983 when anglers and other concerned parties banded together to oppose a hydroelectric project that could have had an irreversible impact on the river. The project was defeated, but other threats loomed for the well-being of the river and its anadromous fish—from the poaching of native steelhead in Steamboat Creek to the deterioration of sensitive spawning grounds. Since that first victory, the Foundation has remained intact to protect and advocate for a river that can’t speak for itself.
The North Umpqua River has seen a large number of hits lately from two massive fires, low steelhead returns leading to closure of fishing until December 1st, and increased water temperatures. The Foundation is committed to be part of the solution and projects we are actively working on include the following:
Habitat Restoration Projects like culvert repair and replacing vegetation due to the fire loss.
Smolt counts and snorkel surveys
Water temperature monitoring
Scholarships for college students that are doing research
Big Bend Pool caretaker for education and protection from poachers
And more
All of this is only doable through your support. We hope that you will consider looking at these generously donated auction items and place a bid or even just make a donation.
Simon Stephen brings us this report. Simon was hired at The Caddis Fly this summer and gets out on foot a few times a week. You will find him at the shop Friday and Saturdays.
Flows above Hills Creek are high but not blown out. Most of the fish were caught on small jigged nymphs. I did particularly good on the Jigged Sassi solution. Small Perdigons made it easy to get deep fast and I also found running a larger stonefly nymph as my trailer nymph to be productive. I had some fish rise to an October caddis pattern, and landed a decent resident cutthroat on one. A medium sized Stimulator is a good bet as an all around dry right now. I also got fish on a 16 Purple Haze trailed off The back of an October caddis. A BWO Parachute or emerger is a good call this time of year as well.
I fished the Middle Fork below Hills Creek and Salmon creek briefly. There were signs on the bank that the river was blown out in previous days. The water is high, but no longer blown out. Fish were holding in softer water, deep pools, and up against the banks. Streamer fishing was productive with the high water; I was using the cone head Thin Mint and did well stripping it through the soft water where I could find it. I saw very few bugs hatching. Some lingering October caddis were out, and there was a very sparse. A BWO hatch starting around 1:30-2pm. The colder weather seems to be slowing down the fall hatches.
Haven’t fished the McKenzie in the last week or so , but I’m sure it’s fishing similar to the Middle Fork of the Willamette.
In a powerful opinion essay for The News-Review, Karl Konecny argues that it’s time for fisheries managers to acknowledge the broken promises of fish hatcheries and work to restore Oregon’s wild salmon and steelhead.
Salmon hatcheries have existed in Oregon since the late 1800s. They have never lived up to their promise, yet we have become addicted to them.
The first salmon hatcheries were privately built by cannery owners. By the mid-1800s the canneries had automated, increasing their capacity to the point that they outstripped the salmon supply. The hope was to increase the salmon runs beyond their abundant natural production to increase the cannery profits. That did not happen anywhere. Instead, salmon runs began their long history of decline. Eventually, the canneries closed and moved north to Canadian waters.
The decline in salmon was not only caused by overharvesting, but also by habitat destruction. Mining had already wiped out much of the Sacramento River salmon and was moving into Oregon. Logging was just ramping up and the horrendous practices of striping the hills to the water edge and moving logs with splash dams destroyed salmon habitat. Agriculture had moved into low-gradient valley bottoms, diverting water and silting streams.
Again, it was hatcheries to the rescue! But now instead of enhancing the natural abundance, the promise was that hatcheries would restore the runs to their previous abundance. The state and the federal government got involved for the common good. Again, the promise was not met. Nowhere in Oregon did a hatchery restore a salmon or steelhead run to its former abundance.
We are offering a shortened half day trip on our local waters for trout and steelhead November 1 -November 30th 2022. The cost of the trip is $375. The trip includes guided fishing from a boat and equipment for one or two anglers. The trip does not include lunch. The trip is designed to hit the best time of day, we recommend approximately 11:00am-4:30pm. This is a great opportunity to learn some of our close in to the Eugene/Springfield waters. Give us a ring to discuss options, water conditions and booking possibilities. Phone (541) 342 7005 Email: support@caddisflyshop.com
