Oregon Fly Fishing with Stan

McKenzie River guided Fly Fishing Trip

Rainbow trout next to McKenzie river drift-boat

We can schedule you for a full day, guided fly-fishing trip on the McKenzie River (half-day trips are also available). We are flexible with departure and return times. However, most trout fly-fishing trips depart about 8:00am from the Eugene area and return about 6:00pm. Driving time to the launch point on the McKenzie River is 30 to 45 minutes.

Before we start our fly fishing day, a few minutes are taken to explain the fly-fishing techniques that we will be using. We will have a shore lunch about noontime of fresh pan-fried rainbow trout and cold drinks. Box lunches can also be provided if needed and we always carry extra cold drinks and bottled water for the day.

We provide all the necessary fly-fishing equipment for the day. However, if you would like to use your own fly tackle, here is a Rainbow trout fishing tip for the McKenzie River:

1. 9 foot, 4wt.or 5wt.graphite fly rod, with a matching fly reel and weight forward dry fly line plus 50 yards of Dacron backing.
2. 9′ dry fly 5x tapered leaders.
3. Flies:
   1. Green Caddis Bucktail (McKenzie special) #10 & #12
   2. Yellow Stimulator #6
   3. Yellow Bucktail Caddis #10 & #12
   4. Brown Elk Hair caddis #10 & #12
   5. Orange Caddis Bucktail #10& #12
   6. Bead Head Prince Nymph #10
   7. Bead Head Pheasant Tail Nymph #8 & #10
   8. Bead Head Brown Hare’s Ear Nymph #8 & #10

Of course, there are many other fly patterns and sizes that will produce fish on any given day, but this will give the fly-fisher a good idea of the sizes and types of patterns that can be used on the McKenzie River with favorable results.

Fishing the Mckenzie River

The origin of the McKenzie River is high in the snow-capped peaks of the Cascade mountain range that divides the state of Oregon from north to south. The McKenzie River is on the west slope of these mountains and the drainage receives more than its share of snow and rains from the frequent winter storms that roll in from the Pacific Ocean 100 miles to the west. During the summer months much of the clear waters of the McKenzie River is fast moving with white water rapids. The river’s banks have Douglas fir, Red cedar, Alder and Vine Maple, growing close to the waters edge. As a result, bank access, wading, and fly-fishing is more than difficult; it is sometimes impossible. The solution for people to fly fish the river about 80 years ago was the advent of the McKenzie river drift boat. A boat developed to provide the fly fisher a stable casting platform while at the same time giving the boatman a craft that is very maneuverable and able to run the turbulent McKenzie River.

McKenzie River rainbow trout

Methods of drift boat fly-fishing on the McKenzie River have developed in a somewhat unique manner because of the hatches of Caddis flies that abound during the fly-fishing season. The green caddis seems to be one of the more prevalent Caddis flies seen on the river throughout the spring and summer seasons. There are also hatches of small black caddis in the spring and various sizes of brown, amber, and tan caddis at different times throughout the summer months. All these caddis flies have one similar characteristic: When they lay their eggs in the water they fly up and down just above the waters surface, sometimes actually touching the surface to drop their precious cargo into the water. Of course, this is when they are most vulnerable, and also when they provide the opportunistic Rainbow Trout with an easy meal. During periods of the Caddis fly hatches many feeding trout seem to get “keyed in” on the up-and-down flying action, and will take an imitation caddis fished in a similar manner better than a dry fly that is fished on a dead drift. To induce these active fish to take the fly, the fly fisher must give his fly the same up-and-down flying action that the real caddis fly does when it is laying it’s eggs on the waters surface. By using a two-fly method of fly presentation in sections of faster moving water, the up and down flying action of the egg laying caddis can be imitated.

1. Use a 9 to 10 foot tapered leader, a weighted bead-head nymph is tied at the tip end of the leader.
2. The dropper, 6 to 7 feet above the weighted nymph is tied off the main leader using a blood knot with one end left 4 to 5 inches long to which the caddis imitation is attached.
3. While the boat is held back in faster moving water, cast about 15 to 20 feet of fly line down and across to holding water. As the dry fly starts to drag, the fly rod tip is raised up, lifting the leader and most importantly the caddis fly imitation off the water 5 or 6 inches.
4. Then lower the rod tip and allow the dry fly to drift down a foot or two, and then repeat the process, with the fly re-floated or raised off the water again.
5. The weight of the tip fly or weighted nymph provides a little tension that helps to hold the leader straight, and lifts the caddis dry fly off the water when the fly rod tip is raised.

With a little practice and a good boatman holding back on the oars, the egg laying action of the caddis flies can be simulated to trick those weary Rainbow Trout to take the dry caddis fly. At times I find this method is much more effective than the dead drift method of dry fly fishing on the McKenzie River. Of course there is no “sure thing” in fly fishing so always be prepared to change tactics. See more trout fly-fishing tips.

McKenzie River Guided Trout Fly-Fishing Trip Information

The Fly Fishing Rainbow Trout trip is for 2 people (per boat) who desire an enjoyable day on the Mckenzie River. Bring a light weight jacket, sun screen for sun and water glare, long sleeve shirt and a brimmed hat.

Ideal Months: The months for fly fishing in Oregon and the Mckenzie River are April, May, June, July, August and September.

Location: Eugene, Oregon. We can help with hotel/motel accommodations if you wish.

IMPORTANT: Advanced and early bookings are required for the best open dates that meet with your travel and fishing schedule. Full day and half day rates available. Don’t wait to contact me.

One day angling licence for Oregon is $12.00/day/person

Corporate and group rates also available.

Book this Mckenzie River fly fishing rainbow trout trip and our Fly Fishing for Beginners class and receive a 10% discount for both days. Contact me for more information.