Despite lower water conditions and less than impressive hatches the recent cloudy mornings and cooler temps have improved fishing on the McKenzie and Willamette rivers.
Best fly patterns are:
Jay’s Hi Tie Caddis
FinFetcher Caddis
Perry’s Bugmeister
Jigged Frenchie
Strolis Quill Body Hare’s Ear
Brillions Lucent Jig
In this video, Bruce Berry ties a variant of the Silvenator fly using Pro Sportfisher Classic Tubing and Flexibead. This is a terrific pattern for both Winter and Summer Steelhead.
Hook: OPST Swing #2/4
Needle: Pro Sport Flexineedle Small
Tube: Pro Classic Tubing Medium
Thread: Veevus 6/0 black
Dark Spot: Hareline Ice Dub Purple
Body: Lagartun Carded Flat-braid Blue
Body: UV Polar Chenille Purple
Tail: Rabbit Strip Black
Flash: Hareline Flashabou Opal/Red
Bling: MFC Ostrich Kingfisher Blue
Collar: Black Saddle Hackle Schlappen
Bead: Pro Flexi Bead Small
Glue: Zap a Gap
From ODFW:
Thursday, August 1, 2019
Emergency fishing restrictions now in effect for Umpqua River
ROSEBURG, Ore. – Effective immediately, an emergency regulation protects wild summer steelhead and early returning fall chinook on the mainstem Umpqua River.
Scottsburg Bridge (Hwy. 38) to River Forks Boat Ramp:
Today through Sept. 30, 2019, angling is prohibited within a 200 feet radius of all tributaries in the Umpqua River and in the tributaries themselves from the mouth to 200 feet upstream.
This emergency regulation protects wild summer steelhead and fall Chinook salmon that hold in and around tributaries looking for colder water. Currently, the Umpqua River has abnormally low flows and high water temperatures.
“The Umpqua River at Elkton was 79 degrees this morning, and we know that temperature will be higher in the early evening, so we need to protect our native fish,” said Greg Huchko, Umpqua District fisheries biologist. “Salmon and steelhead have a tough time when water temperatures are over 68, and we aren’t seeing a cooling trend any time in the near future.”
This emergency regulation was also in effect in late June 2015 and 2018 to protect salmon and steelhead.
Tips for hot weather angling:
-Fish during the cooler early mornings.
-Land your fish quickly to help increase survival rates.
-Keep your fish in at least six inches of water while releasing it.
-Revive the fish before release. Keep the fish upright facing into the current; if the current is slow, move the fish back and forth slowly to help oxygenate the gills.
For more information on fishing opportunities and regulations in the SW Zone, visit https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report/southwest-zone
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Contact:
Greg Huchko, 541-464-2177
Evan Leonetti, 541-464-2175
Just a very brief look at a product that has great potential for making bodies on all sorts of baitfish fly patterns for predatory species in fresh and saltwater. This is a dense brush, contrast with the new EP Invader Brushes that are very sparse. Dense and sparse are two ends of the continuum – sometimes we want dense bodies and sometimes we want sparse materials to construct bodies or collars on our flies.
Flash Blend Baitfish Brush is available in a stunning 23 colors!
These brushes are available in 1″, 2″, NS 5″ widths, affording options for a huge range of flies.
Jay Nicholas – Summer 2019
Our old pal George Cook (long time sales rep and spey casting guru) stopped by the shop the other day for some show and tell on the latest editions to the SAGE Rod and Reel line ups. Check out the videos below detailing some of the new goodies.
In this video, Greg ties a simple yet effective midge pattern for trout, the Turkey Biot Midge. Greg recommends tying it in shades of black and olive. Some of the largest trout he’s caught have come from small biot midges in sizes 18 through 22. Tie them on a jig hook such as the Gamakatsu J20 to reduce snags and weight them based on the water you’re fishing.
Hook: Gamakatsu J20 Hook Size 14 (14-18)
Bead: Hareline Slotted Tungsten Bead
Thread: Danville’s 140 Denier Black
Wire: Ultra Wire Silver Small
Body: Turkey Biot Black
Collar: Ice Dub -Peacock/Black
Todd Moen of Catch Magazine joined me on the upper McKenzie for some “continued product testing” of the Outcast Ambush Frameless Raft. Fishing was good and boating was a blast. I have been really impressed with how the Ambush will slow down in really fast water. It’s width and overall weight seem to be the perfect combo for holding in speedy flows.
Best patterns were: Chubby Chernobyl Norm Woods size 8, Tungsten 20 Incher Jig size 12.
Gear Used: Sage X 9ft 5wt, Nautilus XM Reel, Rio Gold Line
Water levels are lower on the Mckenzie, Willamette and tributaries. Hatches have diminished but trout still need to eat. Focus efforts early and late and look for shade during the day. Smaller dries and nymphs (#14-16) are the way to go. I have a list of effective patterns below.
Galloup’s X-Link Caddis – Excellent caddis pattern to use anytime imitating a variety of caddis species available throughout the summer. It rides low in the water but still visible to the angler.
J’s Hi Tie Caddis – The largest of the patterns suggested this will hold up the PMD nymph nicely and float really well in rough water. This pattern will fish all the way through the fall.
Parawulff Adams – Highly visible all around dry fly pattern. Fish this one in tougher light conditions, it’s white wings will help you track it.
Mercer’s Missing Link – Mercer’s Missing Link is a caddis and a mayfly imitation all in one. It sits low in the water but has a nice elk wing that keeps the fly floating nicely. This has been one of our better dry fly patterns over the past few years.
Purple Rooster Parachute – Another really good all around smaller dry. Pheasant and purple are a solid combo!
Front End Loader – Hi Vis parachute pattern that imitates the ever present Little Yellow Stoneflies.
Fin Fetcher Caddis – A very small parachute caddis pattern with a hi vis post. The Fin Fetcher works best in flat water.
Jigged Frenchie – The Jigged Frenchie is a favorite “euro” nymph but also works great under a dry or included in a deep nymph set up.
Jigged 20 Incher – One of the most popular nymphs over the past couple of years. It’s the perfect density to get down quickly and it’s peacock and hare’s ear construction are simply unbeatable.
Split Case PMD Nymph – The Split Case in the PMD and BWO are killer patterns to fish under smaller dries as droppers.
John Barr’s classic on a Euro Jig Hook. Have fun and explore different colors!
Hook: Gamakatsu J20 (10-16)
Bead: Hareline Tungsten Slotted Bead
Wire: Lead-Free Wire (optional)
Thread: Veevus 6/0 Cream
Biot: Goose Biots Tan
Body: Ultra Wire Brassie Blue and Silver
Sparkle: Veevus Tinsel Blue
Thorax: Thin Skin
Thorax: Peacock Herl
Wings: Hen Hackle
Air Bubble: Deer Creek UV Resin
Excited to have some Steelhead recipes available tied by Jim Sens. In this video he ties a Composite Loop Intruder in Red and Black – A terrific pattern to have while Steelheading this season. Look out for some of his other videos and come on by the shop to purchase more of his custom tied flies. Enjoy!
Rigging:
Hook: Aquaflies AquaTalon Swing Hooks #2
Power Pro Fishing Line: 40-50lb (available at Fred Meyers, Wal-Mart, Cabellas, Bass Pro)
Tubing: Pro Sportfisher Classic Tube
Fly Pattern:
Shank: Aquaflies Return Eye Shank 27mm
Thread: Danville’s 210 Denier Black
Eyes: Aquaflies Intruder eyes 1/8” Blood Red
Butt: Dyed UV Polar Chenille Black
Dubbing Loop 1: Senyo’s Fusion Dub Eat A Peach
Dubbing Loop 2: Ice Dub UV Red, Senyo’s Metallic Barred Predator Wrap Silver/Pink/Black, Lady Amherst Red, Lava Lace Angel Hair Electric Pink, STS Trilobal Dubbing Red
Dubbing Loop 3: Senyo’s Laser Dub Black
Plumes: Ostrich Plume Barred Orange/Black
Front Hackle: Schlappen Red
Adhesive: Hard as Hull Cement or Deer Creek UV Resin
In this video, Tony ties a Purple Rooster fly pattern. This is a great attractor dry fly pattern to try on your local waters throughout the season. Enjoy!
Thread: Black 10/0 Veevus
Hook: TMC 100, sizes 10-18
Tail: Ringneck Pheasant tail fibers or Moose body hair
Body: Ringneck Pheasant Tail fibers
Thorax: Hareline’s UV Purple Ice Dub
Wing: Hareline’s Para Post in Fl. Fire Orange or White McFlylon
Hackle: Grizzly and Brown Whiting Dry Fly Hackle
Our good friend Jon Covich has a great opportunity for anglers to visit Cuba this coming February. Jon is super experienced in traveling to Cuba and his expertise will help you navigate the proper paperwork to travel to and fish in Cuba legally.
Dates: February 22-29, 2020
Price: $4699 pp based on double occupancy rooms, and 3 days single skiff, 3 days double
This price includes travel from Havana, 7 nights and 6 full days of fishing, and room and board (there is a limit on daily drinks). Notable is that all anglers fish 3 days in a double skiff like normal, and 3 days fishing as a single. This means a lot more fishing time per person.
Reach out to Jon at this email address: info@cubafishingoutfitters.com
