McKenzie fishing for trout; smallies biting on the Umpqua
The McKenzie – No word on Salmon this week but I’m sure the guys who hit the best holes at first light are getting a fish or two. Sand shrimp out fished eggs last week and it might again as the river drops and clears. Trout fishing is great on PMD’s and caddis in sizes 14 and 16. Fishing nymphs is very effective too. All the usual suspects will take fish, with caddis pupa probably #1 right now followed by PT’s, hares ear’s and red copper john’s. Fish these in size 14 to 18.
Upper Willamette – Fishing from Just below Oakridge to the reservoir has been great for the last week. PMD, PED and Caddis are all out so dial up your dry flies and fish this sneaky good section of river.
Umpqua River – They’re still getting Springers in the upper river but it has slowed with warmer weather. Fish early or the last 90 minutes before dark for best success. Fish are being taken on eegs, shrimp and pithing spoons and spinners. In the lower river – It’s mostly a smallmouth bass show now. Water is low but the fishing in the Elkton area is good on flies with rubber legs, poppers and 3 to 4 inch plastic worms. Bass can also be targeted under a bobber with real worms. Fishing for bass will continue to be good to great for the summer and fall.
Winchester Bay – Pink surf perch action was better on the bigger tide exchange this week as we predicted. The guides were working for them but were coming up with enough to make clients happy. Limits are still scarce but fish are being caught. Crabbing in the bay has been meh…and crabs will start getting soft soon.
Upper Rogue River The river is on a slow steady drop and the weather is perfect. Fishing is very good for trout . The Salmon fly hatch is still going on but it won’t last much longer. Dry fly fishing is great in the area from Lost Creek to Dodge Bridge. When they’re not intersted in the big flies, fish size 16 caddis or PMD’s. A size 16 Adams is always a good option too and so are 14 and 16 Purple Haze. Nymphing is good too with red, green and brown Copper John’s.
Cottage Grove Lake: Bass and panfishing has been very good of late. Reports of some really nice bass to 5 lbs. have been reported. Working spinnerbaits and plastics in the shallows morning and evening have produced.
Williamson, Sprague and Wood Rivers – Resident trout fishing has been good but the bigger migratory fish from the lake are moving up into the rivers with the warming weather. Fish will fall to dries, nymphs and streamers. These are world class rivers but run through a lot of private land and are difficult to access. These rivers are worth hiring a guide and having a Montana type trip in our backyard! Just to whet your whistle I’ve seen trout over 28 inches pulled from these waters!