We chose to offer the Middle Fork of the Willamette a shot this previous Tuesday. I understood the river would be low and I understood there was capacity for smoke. Both substantiated real naturally … Increasing HWY 58 I might see the smoke holding on to the Black Canyon area of the Middle Fork.
Looking down river from the boat launch at Black Canyon Camping site is was clear in Eugene. A vigorous wind followed and blew the majority of the smoke out of the river valley. The smoke wound up not being much of concern other than for near the confluence of the North Fork of the Middle Fork.
Fishing was active not long after putting in my raft at Greenwaters Park. I was extremely delighted I did not bring the drift boat as the very first fast out of eviction would have had me strolling the boat down the river. Rather I rubbed and bumped and awkwardly slopped down in the raft. Fish remained in fast water and not in sluggish runs. Regardless of some water that had foam lines, excellent depth and cover, fish were not present in slower than strolling speed water. They actually chose fast water with fast depth modification. This water might be in the middle, on a bank, or in front of a rock, the secret existed just weren’t fish in sluggish water.
Hopper dropper rigs (chubby Chernobyl or Parachute Madam X as the dry and a 1/8 or 3.3 mm Beadhead) with mid sized jig nymphs of all types worked. The secret was to have the bead 3.3 mm or 2.8 mm, a 5/32 or 3.8 mm bead was just to heavy for the circulation.
The Middle Fork is so low it’s actually a wading anglers paradise today. You can actually get nearly throughout the river. A wader might begin at Black Canyon and stroll upstream like 3 miles. and keep going. Gain access to along the behind of 58 east of the Westfir Bridge is endless also. Simply search for the fastest water and you will discover the fish.
Finest bugs consisted of Hippy Stomper #12 Purple and Gold, Chubby Chernobyl #10, Strolis Quil Body Jig #12, Tungsten Jig Yellow Sally and Tungsten Jigged Pheasant Tails.
