Our regional rivers the McKenzie and Middle Fork of the Willamette continue to fish well in spite of an absence of substantial hatches. Hopper dropper established with Chubby Chernobyls and numerous jigged nymphs continue to be extremely efficient. Attractor patterns like Purple Haze and RIO’s Dry Humper work early and late in the day. Terrestrial patterns like hoppers and ants are likewise an excellent call to have on hand.
Smallmouth Bass fishing on the Umpqua is exceptional! We drifted from Umpqua landing to James Woods landing on Sunday and little clousers, stonefly nymphs, and poppers all captured lots of prepared bass.
It’s a good time to take a look at the Williamson and Wood rivers. The well-known Hex hatch is occurring at dark or after dark on the Williamson and you will discover a few of the states biggest trout searching for thesehuge mayflies Hoppers on the lower wood and gently dressed bugger design patterns on intermediate lines for both rivers can be efficient.
The steelhead projection is quite grim. The North Umpqua is flat out closed. You can check out the states choicehere The Deschutes stays open for the time being however numbers are not excessively outstanding. For more details on the possible open/closed fall fishing you can check out the states description and requirementshere Steelhead counts over Willamette Falls are abysmal for 2023, we have yet to reach 1000 Summer season Steelhead. That sub 1000 feeds the Willamette, McKenzie and Santiam systems. Capturing a summertime steelhead in the Willamette system this year is a bit like discovering a needle in a haystack.
It’s a good time of year to get up into the upper reaches of our regional waters. The North Fork of the Middle Fork of the Willamette, the Middle Fork of the Willamette above Hills Creek Tank and the South Fork of the McKenzie above Cougar Tank all off terrific damp wading and dry fly fishing for native trout. Comparable attractor patterns as discussed for the McKenzie and Middle Fork main-stems will work well.
If you are heading to the coast to leave the heat it’s a great time to begin searching for Sea Run Cutthroat in the Alsea, Siuslaw, Siletz, and Nestucca rivers. Cloudy days are best and with little rain in the projection you will discover these fish in the lower reaches of seaside streams, even tidal locations. Here are a number of older posts with a little details in them for chasing after Sea Runs. Have a good time out there, Fall isn’t far!
