McKenzie and Willamette Rivers Fishing Report: February 9, 2023
Overview:
Despite the false spring days in the last few weeks, the Willamette and McKenzie rivers are still in winter fishing conditions. That means lower flows, clearer water, and sluggish fish.
Our preferred tactics remain the same: swinging wet flies in the slower water and nymphing down deep. With nights still dropping into the freezing range—and twenty degree temperature swings as we move towards afternoon—the witching hours of 1-3pm remain the most productive time to fish.
With all that said, Willamette Valley Fishing Guides is looking ahead to the March Brown hatch. We’ve been tying up those emergers and getting ready for that turn to spring weather and fishing.
McKenzie River:
Both the upper and lower river are still cold. Fish are holding deep and not moving far at all. Focus on the softer water and structure. Another tactic has been nymphing through patches of the river where the sun has helped and warmed things a bit.
In addition to nymphs, don’t turn your nose up at a possible BWO hatch. We have been seeing consistent—if smaller—hatches in the late afternoon when the temps, sun, and shade align with one another. BWOs remain one of the best patterns to potentially get a decent trout on a dry fly in the winter season.
Middle Fork Willamette River:
Middle Fork Willamette from Oakridge to Black Canyon:
Flows and temps through this section have been low, but fishable. The water clarity is excellent. These are the days where you stand the chance to have the river to yourself. Lower expectations on the number of fish hooked and appreciate the beauty of late winter.
As for flies, we’ve been using a lot of partridge and orange soft hackles. Our preferred nymph has been the Iron Sally. Here in a few weeks, we expect to start throwing some caddis pupae nymphs.
Middle Fork Willamette from Dexter Dam to Marshall Island:
Like the smaller McKenzie and Upper Middle Fork Willamette, the flows and temps in this stretch have been down. Unlike its smaller cousins, though, this is the stretch where we prefer the spey approach. Swinging streamers and 2-3 soft hackles off the tip of a two-handed rod has been incredibly productive. Our tactics through this stretch have been heavy sink tips for streamers, getting as close as we can to the bottom, and working that slow water hard.
