How to Fish in the McKenzie River
Oregon's McKenzie River is well-known for its trout fishing. The river has a good summer run of chinook salmon as well as a small steelhead run; however, it is trout that fishermen pursue the most. The river is basically divided into two sections, the upper McKenzie above Leaburg dam to the headwaters and the lower McKenzie below the dam to where it enters the Willamette River. Spin and fly fishing work equally well on both sections of river. Fishing from a drift boat is the most successful way to reach the best stretches of the river.
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Instructions
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Cast 1/4- to 1/2-ounce spoons or size 1 and 2 spinners into the deep, smooth stretches of river. Cast upstream toward the middle of the river and then reel the lure back in as it drifts downstream, bringing it across the current. Vary the reeling speeds to learn which speed the fish prefer.
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Work lures in the pools in front of large rocks in the river where fish lie in wait for food to drift down. Cast the lure beyond the pool and reel it back through the pool. Cast into different parts of the pool to locate the fish.
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Tie a dry fly to the end of the line on a spinning rod and attach a clear bobber to the line 3 feet above the fly. Cast the fly and bobber upstream and let the fly drift along on the current. This method is an effective fish catcher in shallow or deep water.
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Wade out into the river using a fly rod and dry flies. Cast upstream and let the fly drift along until it passes your position, pick up the line and cast again repeating the drift. Flies can be fished in portions of river that are too shallow for lures.
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Fish from a drift boat, casting lures out from the side of the moving boat and reeling them back to you. Cast flies out from the boat and let the fly drift along with the moving boat.
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Tips & Warnings
There are many dry fly patterns that are successful on the McKenzie; check with the local stores along the river to find out what the fish are taking. Buying a few flies from a store may well garner you a wealth of fishing information.
Red and white striped, silver and gold colored spoons and spinners work the best.
The shallow portions of river topped with white capped rapids don't hold as many fish as the smooth, deeper stretches of water.
Lures cast into shallow, rocky water will usually result in them being hung up in the rocks and lost. It is better to use flies in shallow water.
The McKenzie has varying fishing regulations, depending on the section of river. A copy of the Oregon fishing synopsis will give you that information. A violation could bring a ticket from a game warden.
Ask permission before going onto private property.
References
- Photo Credit fishing image by Zbigniew Nowak from Fotolia.com
