Mercer’s Missing Link: Fly Tying Instructional Video

Posted on August 1, 2022 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Jim Sens is back in the shop to tie up a Mercer’s Missing Link. Jim says this is his favorite summertime fly to use on the McKenzie River and we pretty much agree with him.

This one is tied up on a size 12 TMC100 hook – we wouldn’t go too much bigger than that and anything smaller is, well, kind of a pain to tie. Pay attention to the flashabou body with UV glue and how Jim ties in the elk hair. These tips make a strong fly and make the tying process a bit easier.

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Material List:
Hook: TMC100, Size 12
Thread: Semperfli Nanosilk, Olive
Body: Flashabou
Thorax: Ice Dub, Purple
Underwing: Clark’s Tying Yarn, Lite Grey
Parachute: Whiting Dry Fly Hackle
Wing: Elk Hair
UV Glue

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies | 1 Comment

Simms Fishing Products Sold

Posted on July 29, 2022 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Simms-wordmark-trout

From: KBZK News Bozeman

BOZEMAN — Simms Fishing Products was reportedly acquired by Vista Outdoor Inc. on Wednesday for $192.5 million.

In a press release, Vista Outdoor Inc. announced that the gross purchase price includes a net present value of roughly $20 million in future tax benefits.

Vista Outdoor Inc. (NYSE: VSTO), is the parent company of 39 renowned brands that design, manufacture and market sporting and outdoor products to consumers around the globe. Simms is a premium fishing brand and leading designer, marketer and manufacturer of waders, outerwear, footwear and technical apparel. Read the rest of the article here.

Posted in Fly Fishing Profiles | 2 Comments

The Kreelex: Fly Tying Instructional Video

Posted on July 26, 2022 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Jim Sens joins us in the shop to tie up The Kreelex. This is an awesome saltwater pattern but can also be tied in smaller sizes that will produce trout in your local trout waters.

Jim did the hard work already and tested this out on the Oregon Coast where he caught some coho salmon and a few other saltwater species.

Also, this fly has very few materials, making it both easy and cost-effective. Feel free to go crazy with different colorways but just make sure to use contrasting colors. That makes the fish angry, and we want angry fish to attack our flies.

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Material List:
Hook: Umpqua XS506H, Size 1
Thread: Veevus 100D, Black
Eye: Harline dumbbell eyes, large in green
Body: MFC Kreelex Fish Flash
Zap-a-gap
Loon UV

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies | 1 Comment

Wild Salmon Center – New Short Film – Finding Flow

Posted on July 24, 2022 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

From: Wild Salmon Center

The water that feeds Oregon’s creeks, streams, and rivers is one of the state’s most precious assets. But for too long, people have viewed it as an endless resource. Population growth, a warming climate, and increasing water demands make this misconception more outdated by the day—and an increasing threat to wild salmon, wildlife, and the communities they sustain. In our new short film Finding Flow, WSC Oregon Water Policy Director Caylin Barter heads to southern Oregon to document the current state of rivers and streams in this rapidly changing region, and find solutions.

Posted in Oregon Conservation News, Oregon fly fishing links, Southern Oregon | Leave a comment

McKenzie River Frenchie Pattern: Fly Tying Video

Posted on July 19, 2022 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Sure, another frenchie variation video. But we wouldn’t be sharing this one if we weren’t excited about it. With an ode to the Europeans that developed these nymphs, we tied this one in a disproportionate bead to hook size. It gets down fast and looks great.

With the pink thread and peacock black ice dub, the contrasting colors seem to attract the fish we’re looking for. We’ve been having a great time fishing this on the McKenzie here in Oregon!

frenchie

Material List:
Thread: Semperfli Nano Silk, Pink
Hook: Umpqua, XC400BL, 14
Bead: Hareline Slotted Tungsten, Gold, 3.8mm
Body: Pheasant Tail, Natural
Rib: Copper Wire, Small
Rib 1: MFC Fish Flash, Pearl
Collar: Ice Dub, Peacock Black
Tail: Coq de Leon – Barred, Speckled
Zap-a-Gap

Posted in Fly Tying, Fly Tying Materials and Supplies, Lower Willamette, McKenzie River, Oregon Fly Fishing Tips | Leave a comment

Willamette River System Fly Fishing Opportunities July 2022

Posted on July 19, 2022 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

The Willamette River flowing west through Greenwaters Park in Oakridge, Oregon

The Willamette River, from the upper reaches outside of Oakridge all the way to Harrisburg, is in perfect shape and offers anglers excellent opportunities to chase trout and summer steelhead.

The Middle Fork of the Willamette above Hills Creek Reservoir is a great spot to get away from the crowds and put your lighter line weights to work. Two and three weight rods are perfect, smaller dries like Parachute Adams, Purple Haze, Missing Link and grass hopper imitations are all good flies to have on hand.

The Middle Fork as it exits Hills Creek dam is currently flowing at only 413 cubic feet per second. This flow is tough on boaters but ideal for the wading angler. Access around the dam outflow, Salt Creek confluence, La Duke Road, Greenwaters Park, Salmon Creek confluence, the North Fork of the Middle Fork confluence, and Black Canyon Campground is good at 413cfs. A variety of tactics will take fish on this section. Midday utilize hopper dropper rigs with small to mid sized Chubby Chernobyls and jigged euro style nymphs. Evenings will be best for hatches, Pale Morning Duns, Brown Elk Hair Caddis and little yellow stones are excellent staples.

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The Middle Fork below Dexter Dam is the next section of moving water for the fly angler and the section where summer steelhead return to each season. Mornings and evenings are best and the section to focus on runs from Dexter all the way to Valley River Center mall in Eugene. Swinging black and blue marabou style patterns, MOAL Leaches, Loop Leaches and smaller Signature Intruders will move summer steelhead to the fly. At the current water levels wading opportunities at Dexter Dam, Clearwater Park, Day Island Park and D Street Ramp are excellent. The fish counts for 2022 are not amazing but they are more than three times what they were last year at this time. We are over 5000 summer steelhead over Willamette Falls to date.

Have fun out there!

Posted in Middle Fork Willamette River fishing | Leave a comment

New Obstruction on the Lower McKenzie – July 15th 2022

Posted on July 17, 2022 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

07.15.22

07/15/2022 – Water Obstruction: McKenzie
River one mile downstream from Armitage Park
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to
advise the public of a water obstruction on the
McKenzie River approximately one mile
downstream from the Armitage Park boat
launch. A large gravel bar has formed that
obstructs nearly the entire river width. There is
currently NO navigable channel for power
boats. Those in drifting watercraft will likely
have to exit their vessel and carry it over or
around the gravel bar in order to pass. Caution
is advised if you choose to navigate this portion
of the river.
For the most current information on water
obstructions and safety tips, please follow the
information provided by the Oregon State
Marine Board at www.oregon.gov/osmb
PREFS
+044.121831° / -123.096022°
+ 389ft

The above Oregon State Marine Board Link is a great resource to utilize. With fires, recent extremes ( super dry – super wet ) trees are an ongoing issue on our local waterways.

Posted in McKenzie River | 1 Comment

The Art of Letting Go – Updating Catch and Release

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

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Article by Steve Schmidt

As a seasoned angler whose adult life has revolved around fly fishing, I’ve witnessed our sport go through significant changes in materials, equipment and techniques. More than anything, the game has gotten easier over the years. Where we once had to learn to cast a fly rod, we now have products and techniques that limit the need for actual casting—the sport’s beautiful and defining skill. Now, it seems, we’re drifting away from what attracted us to fishing with flies in the first place: the challenge.

We’ve sacrificed the need to cast a fly rod and learn to fish with abbreviated ways to catch them. Granted, the object of fly fishing always has and will continue to be to catch fish. Yet these days, we are catching more than our fair share. Technology, techniques and an industry focused on attracting more participants have accepted shortcuts with little regard for the ramifications.

It’s a troubling conundrum. Our fishing skills diminish, yet we catch and show off more fish. At the same time, we’ve done little to recognize the impact of maximizing successes or to teach proper fish-release skills to protect fish—or even the value of those practices. Given the state of our fisheries and the growing number of new anglers, these should be priorities. I’ve had concerns about this for decades, and after another record year of heat, low water, river closures and declining runs, my concerns are even more so now.Read the rest of this article here.

Posted in Fly Fishing Glossary, Fly Fishing Profiles | 1 Comment

2022 Two Fly Tournament Lottery Registration is Open

Posted on July 12, 2022 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Screen Shot 2022-07-11 at 6.31.30 PM

The McKenzie River Two Fly Tournaments Proceeds Go Directly to The McKenzie River Trust.

We are excited to announce the 14th annual Two Fly Tournament this fall from Friday, September 30th through Saturday, October 1st. We are so thankful for the support of many participants and guides over the years. This event has forged important relationships between people and rivers that are vital to the future health of this area an our fishing community.

McKenzie River Trust is doing big things for the McKenzie River. With landscape-scale projects at Green Island, Finn Rock Reach, and Elk Creek, they are improving and expanding vital salmonid habitat, making a critical impact for the future of local rivers. McKenzie River Trust continues to undertake bigger and more impactful projects year after year. In 2022, The Two Fly Tournament is stepping up it’s own impact to meet the efforts of the McKenzie River Trust and the incredible fishing guides who make this tournament possible.

Please go to the Landing Page for the Tournament Here.

Please join the Lottery at this Link.

Posted in Fly Fishing Contests, McKenzie River, Oregon Conservation News | Leave a comment

Finn Rock Landing Restoration on the Middle Mckenzie

Posted on July 8, 2022 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Screen Shot 2022-07-08 at 6.07.24 AM

OregonFlyFishingBlog.com and The Caddis Fly Angling Shop invite you to participate in building a new landing at Finn Rock on the McKenzie River. Finn Rock is a popular landing for anglers and whitewater enthusiasts and this project will improve the site tremendously and keep it free to the public. We are very lucky to have McKenzie River Trust in our community. MRT is local, accessible, and is protecting and creating vital habitats on the McKenzie River. Additionally MRT protects the very fine water we all drink in the Willamette Valley. I encourage you to participate in this new project. Please give at this link: A Better Place to Land

From McKenzie River Trust

Connecting People to the River

Finn Rock Landing is the most popular landing on the Upper McKenzie. As a part of a larger land protection project, McKenzie River Trust purchased the area in 2016. The Finn Rock Landing is located at the downstream end of a 278-acre conservation project where caring for the land and community come together. Used by rafters, kayakers, and drift boats, the space supports public access while also serving professional guides and outfitters. Since purchasing the landing, McKenzie River Trust has invested in site improvements including installing bathrooms, an informational kiosk, and creating paved ADA parking spaces. Now, we have the opportunity to make a lasting investment in the area to support outdoor recreation and tourism economies for the McKenzie River Valley.

Today we’re asking you to join us in this important community work. Your support of this project is building more than just a boat landing, it’s building a stronger connection between people and rivers in western Oregon.

Donate Here: A Better Place to Land

Posted in McKenzie River, Oregon Conservation News, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Outcast Float Tubes, Frameless and Rafts Available July 2022

Posted on July 6, 2022 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

It’s been a rough one in terms of supply chain for many vendors in the fly fishing industry. Outcast/Aire has experienced shortages and bottlenecks about as bad as any. It’s been 18 months or so since stock levels approached normal but as of July 2022 things are beginning to stabilize and inventory is available. In stock boats at The Caddis fly include.

outcast-striker-raft-37

The Outcast Striker is an awesome two person boat that easily fits in the back of a truck.

osg-clearwater-77

The Outcast Clearwater is one of the best single person boat we have seen in a long time. At only 35lbs the Clearwater has a capacity of 450lbs so you can pack all the gear you need. The Clearwater frameless raft is big water capable and we love the fact that you sit up so high when rowing and fishing.

outcast-fish-cat-scout-80

The Fishcat Scout from Outcast is super quick to set up and perfect for lakes and moderate stretches of river. It weighs 35lbs and has a 400lbs capacity. The 5ft oars are surprisingly effective in moving you from one side of the lake or river to the other.

fish-cat-cruzer-24

The Fishcat Cruzer from Outcast represents the next generation of float tubes. The Cruzer has oars! Use fins or oars this lightweight tube is an awesome lake craft.

Posted in Fly Fishing Gear Review | Leave a comment

McKenzie and Willamette River Report July 1, 2022

Posted on June 30, 2022 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

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Water levels have come way down and our local rivers are fishing great. Wading opportunities on the McKenzie and Middle Fork of the Willamette Rivers have greatly improved. The heat has slowed some of the hatches but dry fly fishing has been the best it’s been since the March Brown Hatch. Look for some of the tributaries like Salmon Creek, Salt Creek and the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the Willamette to fish well in the coming weeks as water temps on those streams has come up.

We have scaled down our “hopper dropper” set ups of late. Smaller Chubby’s with smaller nymphs like “Tungsten 20inchers” Jigged Perdigons and Jigged Pheasant Tails are crushing it of late.

Mid to late afternoons Black Birds, Robins and other mid sized birds are out looking for Golden Stones emerging off the innumerable log jams on the McKenzie. That late afternoon period seems to be the very best for surface activity on the larger dries.

Critical flies to have this weekend and in the coming weeks include:

Brown and Yellow Elk Hair Caddis #10-14
Gould’s Half Down Golden
Hi Vis Parachute Adams
Purple Haze #12-16
#8 and #10 Purple and Golden Chubby Chernobyl
Silvey’s Yellow Sally #16
Green Drakes #10,12
Pale Morning Dun’s #16

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

Native Fish Society Chapter Meeting Reminder

Posted on June 29, 2022 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Chapter Meeting BannerRussRicketts_RiverSnorkeling

Our next Chapter Meeting is tomorrow night and here’s what we have planned:
Setting up a citizen science project;
Planning a chapter outing for July–so bring your ideas! and
Other topics folks would like to discuss.

Unfortunately, ODFW District Fish Bio Jeff Ziller had to cancel his appearance due to a family emergency, but he will be coming to the August meeting so save the questions you have for him until then!

It’s starting to heat up out there so we will be giving out free river thermometers to the first 25 people who come to the meeting tomorrow evening!

Meeting details: Wednesday, June 29th, at 5:30pm at Ninkasi’s Better Living Room, 155 Blair Blvd, Eugene.

Finally, please encourage others to join us! The more, the merrier!

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me,

Liz Perkin, Northern Oregon Regional Coordinator
503-442-3985
liz@nativefishsociety.org

Posted in Oregon Conservation News | Leave a comment

Native Fish Society – Babine for a Benjamin 2022

Posted on June 26, 2022 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

mailposter_board_chasewhite-babinesteelheadlodge-2019-87

ONE LUCKY ANGLER WILL SPEND A WEEK ON THE BABINE FOR JUST $100!

British Columbia’s Babine River is the hallowed homewaters of some of the largest wild steelhead swimming on the planet. At the Babine Steelhead Lodge, their goal is for you to have the fishing adventure of a lifetime – which you could experience for only $100! That’s right, the one and only Babine Steelhead Lodge has set aside a week of steelhead fishing on the Babine River for 1 lucky Native Fish Society supporter.

From the minute you arrive at the lodge, you will experience first-class fishing and accommodations. Not to mention the Babine River is considered one of the last unspoiled rivers in British Columbia, making its pristine beauty the ideal setting for a memorable wilderness getaway.

Don’t miss this week-long dream trip, including instructional and personal guided fishing, delicious home-cooked meals, and tranquil river-side lodging, which could all be yours for just $100! We’re talking about your best (and most economical shot) at some of the most epic dry line (even dry fly) wild steelhead fishing in the world.

How does it work? Native Fish Society is selling 250 tickets for $100 each. We’ll draw the lucky winner on August 1st and then they’ll get ready for the time of their life!

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Details:

1 angler / October 14 – 21, 2022 / Guided steelhead fishing on the Babine River

*Does not include travel to Smithers, B.C., taxes, gratuities, or licenses.

Raffle tickets on sale: June 22 – July 31, 2022

Drawing: August 1, 2022 @ 3pm

Posted in Fly Fishing Contests, Fly Fishing Travel | Leave a comment

Leaburg Lake Listening Sessions with Eugene Water and Electric Board

Posted on June 25, 2022 by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Leaburg Listening sessions

From EWEB – Eugene Water and Electric Board

Help inform EWEB Commissioners on the social impacts of the future alternatives of the Leaburg Project.

Provide your public comments here: EWEB.org/LeaburgPublicComment

Also, please drop by Lloyd Knox Park on Saturday June 25, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to learn more about the preliminary Net Present Value figures presented at the Thursday, June 16 work session and provide your feedback to EWEB staff.

If you cannot make it this weekend, we will be available the following dates as well: 7/12, 7/30, & 8/9. You can also email Adam.Spencer@eweb.org.

BACKGROUND: In October 2018, EWEB ceased power generation at the Leaburg Hydroelectric Project due to the discovery of excessive seepage along portions of the Leaburg Canal. Upon further analysis, EWEB found that the portions of the canal with excessive seepage also contained low-strength soils that would be vulnerable during earthquakes. EWEB completed partial fixes and has kept the canal drawn down to reduce the risks of these structural concerns.

EWEB does not believe there is an imminent danger of a canal breach.

Meanwhile, EWEB is investigating the best future alternative for the Leaburg Project. Working with a team of specialists, EWEB has identified the following 4 alternatives for the Leaburg Project:

Alternative 1: Full decommission of the Leaburg Project: Removing all traces of the dam, the canal, and all facilities. Leaburg Lake would return to original river conditions as best as practical. This alternative would attempt to make the landscape return to “as if the Leaburg Project were never built.”

Alternative 2: Full return-to-service: Fixing all problems and getting back to normal power generation. This alternative would invest in power generation for the future.

Alternative 3: New Powerhouse at Luffman Spillway: Building a new powerhouse closer to the dam that would generate less power but also reduce construction costs. EWEB would modify the canal downstream of the new powerhouse so that it would only carry stormwater from tributary creeks.

Alternative 4: Stormwater Conveyance: Decommissioning of the Leaburg Project by modifying the entire canal for stormwater conveyance only, essentially converting the canal into a tributary of the McKenzie River. The Project would no longer generate power. The Leaburg Dam would be removed.

To learn more about the decision, please go to EWEB.org/LeaburgCanal

Adam Spencer

EWEB Communication Specialist
541-685-7539

Posted in McKenzie River | 1 Comment