Ok, let’s get real: it is highly unlikely sunscreen will be required over the Memorial Day Holiday weekend? With the freezing level at 1500-3000 feet, we strongly suggest you pack the fleece and your heater. Both liquid and portable heaters …

The Malheur Field Station was my next stop after a great trip on the Deschutes last week. I was not the greatest advocate of bird watching prior to visiting the Malheur Field Station. Frankly, it was a bunch of buildings … Co

Jay Nicholas shows how to tie this simple very effective fly that is customarily fished in Alaska and is thought of principally as a Silver salmon fly, but this fly has been effective fished for kings and Chum salmon here …

This weekend the upper McKenzie really turned on. Hatches of Green Drakes, Yellow Stones, Pale Morning Duns, Caddis and Golden Stones all brought the fish to surface. Fish moved into faster water and began to feed on patterns like Chubby …

Last weekend, when it was 90 degrees in Madras, my daughter and son-in-law asked me to take them for a one night outing from Trout Creek to Harpham Landing. At first, I was very excited. The reality of going to … Continue reading

Jay Nicholas demonstrates another great technique on how to tie in a Guinea hackle to form a collar for salmon and steelhead flies. This is not complicated but can give first time users a bundle of frustration and this tutorial …

Thanks to Sam Parker for this excellent report on Diamond Lake. The Urban Dictionary defines the metaphor a diamond in the rough as “someone or something that has hidden exceptional characteristics and or future potential, but currently lacks the final …

Trout Unlimited’s newest chapter, the Corvallis-based Bluebacks, will have their May chapter meeting tonight from 7-9pm at Cascadia Fly Shop (900 NW Kings Blvd, Corvallis). The meeting will start with a summary of TU’s legislative efforts this session in Salem, …

Numerous reports from the Deschutes suggest both Golden Stone flies and the larger “Salmon Fly” insects are being gobbled up by chunky Rainbow Trout throughout the length of the river. It looks like a couple of cooler days in the …

It’s McKenzie Caddis time of year on the Lower McKenzie and Middle Fork of the Willamette Rivers. Usually in the the late afternoon and evening these extremely active and large Caddis are available to trout. Aggressive strikes to skated and …

It’s shad time once again! I headed out yesterday with my good friend Jason to see if the Shad are in, and yep there are in! Typically the Shad run goes from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day. The Umpqua and … Continue reading →

Jay Nicholas shows some basic methodology in fly tying. – how to tie in a so-called strike-point by using a dubbing loop with STS Trilobal Dubbing and American Possum: a technique that is popular for Steelhead and Salmon flies. The …

Jay Nicholas demonstrates how to tie in a loop to attach a stinger hook on Senyo’s Articulated Shanks for Steelhead and Salmon flies. This product is created by Fish Skull and makes a GREAT base for tying all sizes of …

There have been some gorgeous days on our local rivers of late. Tons of sun, great water conditions and few anglers out and about. Now about that fishing report: Hot days in April and May can mean cold water running …

Making the transition from fly shop employee to the watershed council world, one thing has become abundantly clear. Many fishermen, hikers, kayakers, and outdoor enthusiasts in Oregon aren’t familiar with their local watershed council and what these groups are doing …

Here we go again, hopefully, into another season of fly fishing in the ocean near Pacific City with my friends Jack and John Harrell. Last week was my first 2013 effort actually trying to target Ling Cod on a fly … Continue read

Please plan to join Eric Neufeld, our Echo/Airflo factory representative, on Saturday May 4, from 1:00-4:00pm at Alton Baker Park. Eric will have on hand most of the latest rods from Echo Rods. Eric will also be bringing the newest …

Kicking back after a day of fishing, perhaps you like to enjoy a nice cold Mirror Pond Pale Ale from Deschutes Brewery? Well, your beverage of choice might soon become an ode to the past. Mirror Pond was created on … C

Jay Nicholas shows how to tie in a collar for salmon and steelhead flies using three different means: the 1.5 inch EP Foxy Brush, Pro Sportfisher Marble Fox, and Greg Senyo’s Laser Yarn. All of these methods are alternatives to …

Please plan to join Eric Neufeld, our Echo/Airflo factory representative, on Saturday May 4, from 1:00-4:00pm at Alton Baker Park. Eric will have on hand most of the latest rods from Echo Rods. Eric will also be bringing the newest …

Greetings from the heartland folks. Just a short note and a bunch of photos to let you know we’re thawing out here in the middle of the country. Most mornings start out in the 30s, but as long as it … Continue reading →

Mark your calendars and join us for the kickoff of the 2013 Lower McKenzie River Wild Trout Population Study! Dave Thomas will be presenting our 2012 end-of-season report, with maps and preliminary population estimates for the first three years of …

The traditional trout season opener is upon us this Saturday. The McKenzie above Leaburg opens and is in excellent shape. Nymphing with large stonefly patterns and smaller Pheasant tail or Red Copper John droppers is a solid bet on the …

We have just received some pretty cool new tying materials and equipment from Hareline Dubbin. The team at Hareline is constantly pressing for new and desirable tying products to fit every “tyer’s” need. New colors in Strung Guinea Feathers Killer …

Jay Nicholas ties his favorite Green McKenzie Caddis pattern. Adding a blended dubbing and a black Ice Dub head this version of the active Spring Caddis fly fishes well on top or twitched sub-surface. With the heat coming in the … Co

Please plan to attend our April shop event on Thursday, April 25. Dylan Rothwell owner of Rising Tools will be in the shop on Thursday APRIL 25, FROM 12-6:00PM. He will bring his fabulous laser engraving machine and provide the …

It has been a great spring on the Oregon Coast, from February through now – early April 2013. So many opportunities in rivers and please don’t forget the catchable trout in Coastal Lakes. ODFW stocks a whole bunch of these …

Greg Senyo ties his Slim Shady Steelhead fly pattern. Using flashy and flowing materials this “intruder” style patterns looks great in the water. Numerous color schemes can be utilized. Senyo’s Slim Shady Shank: Blue 45mm Senyo Articulated Shank Thread: Ultra …

I fished the Willy yesterday with Ken, one of the Technical Men’s Conference members. The day broke into sunny and partly cloudy skies as we progressed down river. Ken is a strong proponent of the “wooly bugger”. Dry flies which … Cont

Dylan Rothwell of Rising Tools will be the next shop event of the 2013 season. In 2004/05 Dylan Rothwell started Rising. Rising’s tools are known throughout the fishing industry. The diamond hook hone, a great assortment of pliers and the …