Oct. 24, 2024
By Jesse Robbins
For trout anglers in Oregon, fall and winter are especially intriguing times of year. Across the state are numerous trout fisheries available to anglers willing to put on some extra layers. Three are discussed here, and there’s enough water between them to keep any angler busy for both seasons. With each flowing in a different zone of the state, it’s also possible to pick and choose based on conditions.
Originating at Clear Lake in the Cascades, the McKenzie first flows south before turning west near McKenzie Bridge and eventually joining the main stem of the Willamette River in Eugene. This river inspired the modern day drift boat, and its middle and lower sections are perfectly suited for floating and fishing for redsides rainbow trout. In fact, given the amount of private property along the river, it’s best fished from a drift boat.
In fall and winter, water temperatures are warmer and more conducive to aquatic insect activity lower in the river. From upstream to downstream, boat launches to consider include Greenwood, Deerhorn, Taylor Landing, Hendricks Park, Bellinger, Hayden Bridge, and Armitage Park. In between are beautiful riffles, pools and runs, gravel bar complexes and channels, and wooded islands. Always be wary of log jams and woody debris, especially after high water events.
Blue-winged olives are common, as are midges and caddis; the infamous October caddis is one to watch for. Having two rods rigged – one with a dry fly setup, and one with nymphs – gives an angler the option to alternate between techniques. Fish a dry fly (perhaps with a shallow nymph dropper) to cover large sections of the river while moving, but when on anchor along pools or in riffles, switch to your nymphing setup to more thoroughly fish the water.
Thirty miles from the source of the McKenzie is Camp Sherman on the Metolius River. This spring creek’s incredibly consistent flows come right out of the ground north of Black Butte. Anglers can be confident of finding favorable conditions and predictable hatches here, but another result of its stability is its rainbow trout residents are extremely wary. Fishing on the Metolius is an exercise in patience and strategy, but anglers can expect to be immersed in a captivating arena with scenery that demands just as much attention.
The Metolius is a walk-and-wade fishery, with plentiful public access from Camp Sherman to below Bridge 99. Following the roads along the east bank, there are numerous pullouts and several campgrounds from which to access the river. At Bridge 99, a trail follows the east side of the river downstream. Be sure to dress warm when fishing the Metolius, as the river runs extremely cold — varying between the mid-and-upper 40s.
Trout feed selectively during insect hatches, so it’s best to move slowly and watch closely. Depending on the month, there could be blue-winged olives, green drakes, pale morning duns, midges, caddis, or stoneflies. The best strategy is often changing flies and presentations beforechanging the location. Fine and long leaders — 12-feet and more, sized down to 5x or 6x tippet — are the norm, especially when fishing dry flies.
The most northern of these rivers is the famous Deschutes River, and the section north of Maupin, between Sherar’s Falls and the mouth at the Columbia River, is open year-round for trout fishing. Here, native redband trout are abundant and, when combined with the scenery of the canyon and the large, powerful Deschutes River, make for incredibly exciting fishing.
The Lower Deschutes River Access Road parallels the river downstream from Maupin, and along it are countless pull-offs and rough trails to reach the river, plus four boat launches including (from upstream to downstream) Buckhollow, Pine Tree, Beavertail, and Macks Canyon. The Class III Wreck Rapid can be avoided by launching at Pine Tree, and both Pine Tree to Beavertail, and Beavertail to Macks are worthy day-trip floats of seven to eight miles. While it’s illegal to fish from a floating device here, there’s no denying a drift boat or raft is advantageous for accessing productive water (boater’s permits are required).
Target redbands in riffles on the insides of river bends, or in shallow, mid-river sections. Deep back-eddies are also great at collecting bugs, so these are always worth a look. Rising fish are easily spotted during hatches but fast-sinking nymph patterns are productive most times of the year. Potential hatches in the fall and winter include blue winged olives, midges, caddis, October caddis, and small black stoneflies.
Wading on the Deschutes can be extremely difficult. Large, slippery, and irregular boulders abound, and many river banks drop off quickly. Both poison oak and rattlesnakes are found in the canyon, and while the latter are typically absent in colder months, always be aware.
A Final Note
As always, be sure fishing licenses are current and double-check fishing regulations. We encourage anglers to pinch hook barbs, and follow “Keep Fish Wet” and catch and release practices. Harvesting trout is legal on the McKenzie and Deschutes; check the current Sport Fishing Regulations booklet for specifics.
For current conditions, contact these local fly shops:
- The Fly Fisher’s Place in Sisters – owned and operated by WaterWatch board member Jeff Perin
- Caddis Fly Shop in Eugene
- Fin and Fire in Redmond
- Deschutes River Angler in Maupin
- Portland Fly Shop in Portland
Banner photo by Andy Archer, with article photos by Jesse Robbins. This originally appeared in the fall 2024 issue of WaterWatch of Oregon’s Instream newsletter.
