Last very bowl Sunday, I chose to brave the crowds, and fish the lower McKenzie from Armitage to Crossroads. I put in around 1pm and the weather condition was ideal, high cloud cover and 65 ° or two.
The river is remarkably low at 3,000 cfs in Springfield on the McKenzie, and 5,700 in Harrisburg listed below the confluence on the Willamette. This produced a bit more determining as far as techniques go. I started fishing a #16 Purple Haze in a few of the good looking dry fly water simply listed below Armitage, however had no action. I attempted the dry in a couple of more areas, particularly listed below the confluence to attempt to attract a fierce, however still, no love. I started fishing the normal suspects, huge and small possie buggers, mega prince, jigged girdle bug, and had a good quantity of success, consisting of a couple of fish that wished to consume my indication.
Lastly, I stopped on an ideal little gravel drop off and chose to connect on the attempted and real #10 jigged prince. Having actually not fished that pattern for a couple of years, and what would you understand, I captured most likely a lots fish all on the jig prince because area. I likewise altered out my leading fly for a smaller sized jigged prince and didn’t need to change up my rig for the remainder of the day. I was fishing the brand-new Oros indicator ( they’re incredible) with 2 flies, bottom most fly was 7 or two feet under the indication. Lower water conditions on the Willamette and McKenzie have actually called for fishing a bit smaller sized flies than we’re utilized to this time of year. The timeless mega prince and possie bugger were still working, however there was an obvious distinction sizing down on the nymphs and revealing them something a bit more slim.
I was amazed with how well the river was fishing, and it must simply improve as the water heats up a bit and we get some more bugs coming off. It’s time to go out there!
Justin Helm
