McKenzie Report

Steelie Mike · 03-18-2006, 02:12 PM

Despite all of the poor reports that I have heard from other people, I floated the McKenzie yesterday between Hayden Bridge and Armitage. The water was clear around Hayden Bridge, although a lot of the runs in that section have changed with the high flows earlier in the year. The runs that held fish this time last year were all washed out. As we drifted past Mohawk Creek, the river turned chocolate brown and our flies changes to accomodate the water color, opting for more attractor flies than our standards. Despite the off color, there was a few bugs out on the water. We saw about a half dozen mayflies and some midges. A few of them were obvious March Browns, but I think they were mainly BWO. I did see a few small caddis around size #18 around the banks as well.

The river below Mohawk has also changed. My favorite spot for the MB hatch is gone. The area was totally washed out. The day was not a total bust though. I picked up a nice chrome coastal cutt right above Deadmond Ferry on a #16 Red Copper John and then a real nice 17in redside at last chance on a #12 SJ Worm. That run too has changed. It looks more like a run to swing flies for steelhead now. The good thing is that other side of the island has more good looking holding water in it. I also hooked into a big fish below the island that ran under the boat. I lost it, so if any of you catch him, tell him I am going to get him next time.

I really think the cold weather is keeping the hatches at bay. I doubt it got to 45 degrees out and the periodic periods of hail and showers did not make the situation any better. Maybe the turning over of the gravel beds and silt have done some damage as well. Regardless, it was nice to be out on the water with a good friend and a four weight in hand.

Plem · 03-18-2006, 08:53 PM

<font color="orange"> Man I'm glad to hear that it's starting to get better. We've been on it a few times this year and nada. 48 degrees will change our fortunes for quite a nice late spring boom. One of these days it won't rain or melt snow and bugs might wonna dance. For any consistancey, I'm thinking July-ish.

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dubl_t · 03-19-2006, 08:53 AM

Thanks for the report, nice pics too.

Navigator · 03-19-2006, 09:26 AM

Excellent report! Beautiful fish!

Sounds like you know the river well - and did well under difficult circumstances.

Super Fluke · 03-19-2006, 09:48 AM

Thanks for the report, and nice fish.

mandinga · 03-19-2006, 11:52 AM

Nice job Mike. I've been hearing similar reports.

thanks again

clacksteel · 03-19-2006, 03:19 PM

Those are some good looking fish!

traks44 · 03-20-2006, 09:10 AM

WOW!!, Looks like a great day on the river :smile:

cphatts · 03-22-2006, 04:59 PM

Thanks for the report and great pics!

MattyFlavor · 03-24-2006, 12:17 PM

Got 3 in under two hours yesterday somewhere along the same stretch - all native'bows in the pretty dinky little 7-10" range. Great late PM MB hatch going off for nearly a full hour. Used a MB Skinny Nymph for all three... very little surface action, but my buddy got two on dries. They're in there... all you gotta do is go get em.

topcd098 · 03-24-2006, 08:03 PM

Still a bit early...I wouldn't be surprised if the march browns didn't start coming off till the 3rd weekend of April. Unless the weather starts to change.

PDXSteelhead · 03-27-2006, 07:14 AM

Two of us floated on Saturday and had a 20 fish day on dries, all cutts. A few were 11"+

drbfish · 03-27-2006, 10:48 AM

Sunday I floated Bellenger to Hayden. I fish around there every year and this is by far the poorest fishing ever. The water is too cold. The hatches seem to be about 3 weeks behind. I didn't hook a fish. I do love that drift, there is a ton of great water.