fishing the mckenzie

[finnedwonder]

I recently moved and am much closer to the mckenzie and I would like to get into some good floats this spring and summer to catch trout. Im just wondering if anyone can advise me on some nice drifts, the difficulty of the drifts and any other helpful hints or tips you could suggest for fishing this river system. Thx in advance ~Fin:smash:
And for reference purposes ill post this link so any else can follow along or make sure we have all the names straight :smirk: http://www.flyanglersonline.com/features/greatrivers/mckenzie/mckenziemap.html

[TheCamel]

Hayden Bridge to Armitage Park is a good float that should produce some trout for you. Your first good opportunity is at the confluence of the Mohawk and McKenzie rivers. After that it is all pretty good. It is an easy float with the only technical water at "Nude Rocks" (44 06'29.10N; 123 01'58.44W) .............stay left, unless there are some pretty coeds sunbathing:blush:

[NWFloridian]

Call Brian or Jason at the McKenzie Angler in Walterville. They can provide you with information on floats, shuttles, etc.

[StickFish]

Above Vida is were we fish for the most part - either take out at Ben & Kays or the ramp down towards the dam - whatever they call that. Great fishing, we usually fish it the last week of June, but the family is headed to the Rogue this year instead.

[Pelhament]

I would recommend fishing above Vida as they just release all the steelhead smolt below the dam this week, and I have been told the river looks like a "hatchery holding pond"

[Deeman]

Blue River to the Ben and Kay Doris pretty easy run. Browns hole will catch a couple ever year at the lower flow levels. It doesnt look like much and isnt if you stay out of the eddy. The river makes a sharp right hand bend around a gravel bar and there are some truck sized rocks river left that form the eddy. Just stay right and pull away from the rocks. between B&K doris and helfrich is Martins rapid not much there but a big nasty hole with a reverse curl and hydrallic at the bottom. Start out right, begin a right to left ferry and get as close to the volkswagon sized rock on the left as you can. Past the rock continue to work left and stay out of the standing waves and you will be fine. If you get into the standing waves keep your oars in the water and push as hard as you can until clear. You will take some water but should not get stuck. If you are wrong here DO NOT QUIT, push till you are out. Martins gets a few boats every year of all types. Blue river to Mackenzie bridge is a little more difficult Intermediate level water and pretty straightforward runs. Above M. Bridge the river gets highly technical. Skinny water, fast runs with multiple moves required. It is continuous flow up there, and you do not get much chance to rest if you are on the sticks. Below the dam it is straight forward no trouble if you are paying attention

[Deeman]

Fishing the river is pretty standard trout tactics. Some good areas are confluences where stream braids re-enter the main channel. Shade lines in the mornings and afternoon, in front and behind exposed rocks. Tailouts with cover. Cover is the operative word on the stream. Because of clarity and predators the natives are oriented to cover either by depth, light, or structure. Do not be afraid to fish close to the banks. A popular method is to fish with a nymph on the bottom and a dry above. Popular colors are browns, greys, and duns. Cast and mend works well, as does re-float from the boat. To re-float position the boat above the water you want to fish, get a straight down stream drift, at the end simply lift your rod tip to reposition the fly and line to cover new water, and let it go downhill. the rower will let the boat slide to find new water.

[finnedwonder]

Thx for the tips guys this is great stuff keep it coming :) ill make sure to post over the next couple weeks and tell yall how I do. Would anyone be interested in taking an open seat and floating it with me to show me around a bit? Im alright on the sticks but a veteran oarsmen who knows the river would be greatly appriciated and hey yo get to fish whilst someone else works ha! Just let me know....:smash::smash::smash:~Fin

[Chromaflage]

March browns should be coming off soon - if not already. Good info here.