by Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

Pictured Above: Solid hen stuffed with October Caddis and short wings

Fishing on the McKenzie and Willamette has been very good of late. The last couple of days have been classic windless Fall days we wish would never end. Some really nice fish have been active on our local rivers.

October Caddis and Short Winged stoneflies are emerging daily. Gray Drakes and Blue Winged Olives can be counted on as well. The larger wild trout we are catching are stuffed with bugs and in really great shape.

Upper McKenzie fishing fantastic!

We still have a few spots left for our annual Two Fly Tournament and would love to hear from those interested. The event goes something like this: we meet, greet, eat and assign guides (random drawing) on Friday night October 4. That night we will also have a silent auction, discussion of rules, and presentation from the McKenzie River Trust, the events benefactor. Saturday, fishing ensues from about 9 to 5 and we finish at Oregon Electric Station for dinner, determination of winner and prizes.

Since 2006, the annual McKenzie River Two Fly Tournament has gathered anglers and guides dedicated both to the art of fly fishing and the conservation of fish habitats. Over that time the tournament has generated over $25,000 for projects carried out by the McKenzie River Trust, with volunteers from Trout Unlimited, the McKenzie Flyfishers, and other groups and individuals. These have included the restoration of cold water refuges, the removal of dikes and other impediments to seasonal high water, the placement of large, woody debris, native plants, and other habitat features, and the care of riparian zones along miles of the McKenzie and mainstem Willamette Rivers. The strength of the native fishery in this basin is a direct result of its habitat health. The tournament offers anglers a way to both enjoy that fishery and support it at the same time.