Fishing Report: April 8-14, 2024
Willamette and McKenzie Rivers
Weekly Recap:
The Willamette and McKenzie dropped down to more manageable flows last week. Flows below Leaburg Dam averaged 5400 cfs. While still high, these flows made softer water easier to find and gave the March Browns (really April Browns at this point) a chance to make it to the surface. We saw a few smaller hatches coming off in the 2-5pm hours leading to a few fish rising.
The Walterville Canal diversion remains closed. Flows below Taylor’s remain higher than most are used to seeing but are still fishable from a boat. Wade access in that area continues to be a challenge.
All last week our typical Oregon spring weather held the greatest challenge. A cold front moved in, dropping temperatures more than twenty degrees in some cases. Both river systems saw fish going deep heralding a return to the almighty nymph.
Finally, we received news (and have confirmed) that all river obstructions on the McKenzie River have been cleared. That last culprit (total river blockage below Bruckhart) was cleared early last week opening up some of our favorite water.
The Look Ahead:
This coming week should see warmer, brighter days. Rain has more-or-less cleared from the long-range forecast, but this is Oregon. If you don’t like that prediction, wait five minutes.
I expect the fishing to improve this week as flows either remain steady or continue to drop. Of course, that all depends on what ACOE will do for dam releases, especially on the Willamette River below Dexter. The McKenzie should be steadier.
In terms of hatches, April Browns will continue for a little while longer. Mother’s Day Caddis are on the water now, too. So are gray duns. Finally, stonefly nymphs are on the move. We got into an epic BWO hatch last week and anticipate seeing more of those in the days to come.
ODFW shows over 700 summer steelhead have already come over Willamette Falls. That number is higher than what we had by June of last year. That’s welcome news! For those of us who want to fish what could be the last good year of steelhead in the Willamette, this is the time to start getting ready and dreaming of unicorns. We have been dusting off our summer spey rods and tying up a few of our favorite summer steelhead flies just in case.
Fly Recommendations:
-Western March Brown, size #16-12
-Klink Hammer, size #16-12
-Parachute Adams, size #14-10
-BWO, size #18-14
-Pat’s Rubber legs, black, size #10-6
-Mega-Prince, size #10-6
-Possie Bugger, size #16-12
-Sculpzilla, size #8 (olive and black)
-Perdigons, size #16-12