Oregon Fly Fishing Blog

I was having a conversation recently with a gear fisherman buddy about Oregon's fly fishing only waters — places like the Metolius, North Fork Middle Fork Willamette and North Umpqua. He argued that those designations were unfair to folks using gear or bait because we all pay the same amount for license fees. He argues that fly fishermen are getting some of the most pristine water in the...

Carp on the fly photo from Caddis Fly customer Byrd Nelson: Here's the best picture I have of a carp from Golden Gardens on fly rod. This lil guy went close to 15 lbs. Madam X fooled this one. By no means think these fish are easy or dumb. I have had alot of fun trying to fool 'em. Send us your best Oregon fly fishing photos and stories....

Lots of interesting fly fishing news and links to share folks: McKenzie River surprisingly chemical free: According to an article in the Register-Guard last week, it's hard to find toxins in the McKenzie River. USGS hydrologists estimate levels of creosote and DDT to be extremely low, on the order of parts per quadrillion. Bacon To Fry Dean King Trilogy: The Interweb's favorite Rainier-swilling...

This past weekend we attended the Metolius Bamboo Rod and fly fishing festival in Camp Sherman, Oregon. It was a great event, packed with fly fishing experts from around the state. Fly tiers from the local FFF chapter, Central Oregon Fly Fishers, were on hand to give fly tying tips. I learned a really slick way to finish a small parachute fly from Jerry Criss of Tailing Loop Flies. There were a...

Caddis Fly employee and guide Barrett Christiensen visited the Williamson River this past Friday. He put the boat in at the public ramp in the town of Chiloquin and rowed upstream. By 8am he was swinging/stripping small buggers, leaches and mega princes through the deep pools. As the sun rose higher and the fish showed less interest in the larger offerings. Barrett switched over to two smaller...

Now that water levels have settled down and our weather pattern of blue sky and beaming sun is upon us, what tactics will improve your catch. Early in the day fish will come to the surface with dry flies. Lower light conditions mean the fish are less wary. Cooler temperatures allow for more insect availability in the 7am-11am zone. Good patterns for this early morning session are Pale Morning Dun...

Let's get this out of the way: I hate waders. This bias is based on the fact that mine almost always stink like mildew and crotch, they take about 2 minutes to put on (2 minutes I could be spending fishing) and I just love traveling light. That said, from May to October, you can find me waist deep in 55-degree water in nothing but shorts and sandals. For the past few years, I've been wearing a...