August of 2024 has actually been among the coolest I can keep in mind. The Willamette Valley has actually mostly left the smoke and water temperature levels have actually been holding constant at cooler than last summer season temperatures. August is never ever a month with considerable hatches however regardless of an absence of bugs fishing has actually held up well. Just recently both the McKenzie and Middle Fork of the Willamette Rivers had tank release associated water bumps. Steelhead and trout fishing has actually been unfailing through the whole system. Per typical the upper reaches of both rivers and their tributaries have actually had the very best dry fly fishing. Fishing attractor patterns like Dry Humpers, Purple Haze and terrestrials like, Henneberry Hopper andMore or Less Hopper Hopper dropper rigs stay reliable however diminish your dropper a bit, attempt Berry’s PCP, Jigged Perdigons and Pheasant tails.
Steelhead fishing has actually truly been much better than strong with fish dispersed throughout the McKenzie and Willamette. A lots of steelhead have actually been hooked on trout flies this year above Leaburg Dam. Why? The Leaburg canal is not running and the Leaburg hatchery is not producing it’s normal effluent into the lower river, so steelhead do not smell home. Summer season fish keep trucking through the fish ladder at the dam, and we do not truly understand how far they will go. Cold tidy water smells great to these fish and anglers have actually hooked them as far up as Paradise camping site. Its been a respected steelhead season on both of our regional watersheds. Finest flies for steelhead consist of M.O.A.L Leech, Loop Leech, Sylveynator, and Coo Coo for Cocoa Puffs. A vast array of patterns will capture these fish.
We have actually seen hatches enhance progressively with overcast days and even the odd shower. Pale Night Duns, Blue Winged Olives, Mahogany Duns and smaller sized caddis have actually been around at night. Nighttime stones have actually currently been seen on the lower Mckenzie and Willamette Rivers near Eugene.
We will unquestionably see another heat up however this break from the heat has actually truly been terrific for our regional waters. River levels are best for terrific fishing to come. Hatches will enhance and steelhead keep coming by Willamette Falls. Things are establishing for an excellent fall fishing season.