McKenzie River Fly Fishing Report
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery: We can get flies to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone
Species
Rainbow Trout
Cutthroat Trout
Steelhead
Bull Trout
Chinook Salmon
Size
Large
Location
Northcentral Oregon Coast
Nearest Towns
Eugene
Springfield
Weather: National Weather Service Eugene
Season
Most of it is open year-round
Access:
Fair to great, depending on the
location
Special Regulations
Yes, species specific, check the
current regulations
Non-Resident License
State of Oregon
Season:
The section below Hayden Bridge can be fished year-round under special regulations.
Winter:
Trout fishing is legal in sections but the water is usually high and cold. Trout can be caught under good conditions.
Spring:
Spring brings on some good hatches and dry fly fishing provided the water levels are good.
Summer:
Summer continues with several hatches but the water can become too warm in the lower elevation sections during the hottest
days of summer.
Fall:
Trout fishing can be good during the Fall. They sometimes feed on the eggs of spawning salmon.
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery:
Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
McKenzie River Fishing Report – April 14, 2024
The stream in the upper section of the river continues to flow at a normal level. The tailwater section is still a little high. Trout have been being caught in both sections in good numbers when the levels are okay. Check back as we update the McKenzie River fishing report weekly.
Stream Conditions:
Rate: 4560 cfs
Level: 2.45 ft
Afternoon Water Temperature: 48
Clarity: clear
USGS Real-Time Stream Flow Data Near Vida
Rate: 4720 cfs
Level: 6.20 ft
Afternoon Water Temperature: 47
USGS Real-Time Stream Flow Data Below Leaburg Dam
Recommended Trout Flies:
Brown Sculpin and White Belly Sculpin and Articulated streamers, size 6/4
Black Matuka and Olive Matuka Sculpin, size 4/6
Blue-winged Olives: size 16, 18 nymph, emergers, duns and spinners
Aquatic Worms, size 12, pink, red, and others
Midges: Cream and Red (Blood) midges sizes 20/22, larva, pupa and adult. Our larva and pupa midge flies, pre-rigged in tandem, are very popular here. You can fish them under a strike indicator keeping the larva fly near the bottom. https://perfectflystore.com/product/pre-rigged-tandem-midge-larva-pupa-tippet
Skwala Stoneflies: 10 nymphs and adults
March Browns, 12/14, nymphs, emergers, duns and spinners
Click Here to see our Steelhead Flies: Click Here to see our Salmon Flies:
Fly Fishing Guide to the McKenzie River
Fly fishing the McKenzie River greatly depends on the stream levels, water condition and weather. The McKenzie River is one of the finest combination steelhead and trout streams in the United States. It produces large native rainbow and cutthroat trout. It also has chinook salmon and steelhead. The McKenzie River is surrounded by fir and hemlock and rained on for just about three-fourths of the year. The upper river consist mostly of pocket water. The lower river settles down some and is flatter and smoother. It is loved not only by anglers, but by several other sport enthusiasts. The section of the South Fork McKenzie River above the Cougar Reservoir is stocked with rainbows. The middle portion of the main river above Hayden Bridge is also stocked with rainbows. Above the Paradise Campground the McKenzie River is not stocked and barbless fly and lures must be used. There are several places the river flows far from any public access where boats are the preferred option. The water varies from stretches that anyone can float to dangerous areas that only experienced anglers should negotiate. There’s public access points located at the Willamette National campground, McKenzie River National Recreational trail, several boat launches and parks. The section of the McKenzie River below Hayden Bridge is open year-round for fly fishing, barbless hooks only. The other sections of the river is open from the fourth Saturday in April to October 31. The spring chinook salmon run starts as early as March but the earliest fishing usually takes place about the last week of April. Most of the fishing is done just below the Leaburg Dam. There are only a few places you can fish due to the limited amount of public access. The best way by far is to fish from a drift boat. The McKenzie River steelhead start showing up as early a mid April. The steelhead fishing peaks in July through strike indicators and by swinging a fly. Most of the steelhead fishing takes place from the town of Leaburg up to the dam. There is only a limited amount of bank fishing. Again, you are best off using a drift boat.
McKenzie River Hatches and Trout Flies:
Our information on aquatic insects is based on our stream samples of larvae and nymphs, not guess work. We base fly suggestions on imitating the most plentiful and most available insects and other foods at the particular time you are fishing. Unlike the generic fly shop trout flies, we have specific imitations of all the insects in the McKenzie River and in all stages of life that are applicable to fishing. If you want to fish better, more realistic trout flies, have a much higher degree of success, give us a call. We not only will help you with selections, you will learn why, after trying Perfect Flies, 92% of the thousands of our customers will use nothing else. -800-594-4726.
The first mayfly that hatches at the beginning of a new year on the McKenzie River is the Blue-winged Olives. These are mostly baetis species. These hatches take place in January, February and March. These mayflies also hatch late in the year during September, October, November and December. January and February also has hatches of Little Winter Stoneflies. Trout can be taken on imitations of midges on the McKenzie River throughout the year but are more popular during the times the water is cold and few other aquatic insects are hatching. March Browns hatch during the month of March starting about the middle of the month. This hatch usually last about a month and a half, depending on the area of the river. Brown stoneflies also begin to hatch in March. They are present until the first of second week of April. Little Short-horned Sedges or caddisflies hatch from the last of April into the first of August, depending on the section of the river your fishing. Golden stoneflies start showing up in April on the McKenzie River. They are usually present up until about the first or second week of July. Little Yellow Stoneflies also start hatching this month. You will find different species from April into the month of August. Many anglers call these Yellow Sallies. PMDs or Pale Morning Duns start hatching around the first of May. These little mayflies hatch up until August, depending on the section of the river you are fishing. October Caddis hatch in September and October. These are rather large caddisflies. Don’t overlook the terrestrial insects. They can be very important during the summer and early fall months of the year. Imitations of grass hoppers, ants, and beetles all catch trout. The terrestrial season starts in June and last through the month of September. Streamers are very important flies to have with you anytime of the year fly fishing the McKenzie River. Those that imitate sculpin are usually very effective. Others should imitate baitfish and minnows. These will come in very handy anytime the water is stained from rain or melting snow. Fish eggs are an important form of food below Leaburg Dam. Salmon eggs are in the river during November and December. Flies imitating these eggs are very effective as well as other traditional steelhead flies. We recommend our own “Perfect Flies”, of course, but not because they are ours. Its because they are the best flies you can buy. They imitate specifics insects at all the stages of their life trout feed on. They are highly effective when used properly. If you haven’t already tried them, we suggest you do. You won’t be disappointed. Green Sedges or caddisflies will hatch in April. This hatch last until about the first of June. The larvae of these caddisflies, imitated by the Green Rock Worm, will take trout all year. Spotted Sedges, or caddisflies, hatch on the McKenzie River from May through the month of August. These are the largest of the caddisfly hatches and consist of several species that are almost identical. Salmonflies start hatching in late May. These large stoneflies will continue to hatch until about the first of July, depending on the section of the river you are fishing. Yellow Quill mayflies hatch during June and July. Pale Evening Duns hatch in July.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies for the McKenzie River Oregon
When it comes to fly fishing gear for the McKenzie River, you first have to clarify whether you are fishing for trout, salmon or steelhead. We will recommend gear each species.
Steelhead and Salmon
Fly Line:
The fly line we recommend for salmon fishing the McKenzie River should be either an 9 or 10 weight, floating fly line. The fly line we recommend for steelhead fishing should be a 7 or 8 weight, floating fly line. If you prefer to use a Spey rod, then the line should probably be a 9 weight line made for Spey fishing.
Fly Line Weight:
Adding weight to your fly line is dependant on the flow and depth of the pools you are fishing. You can add a sink tip line or split shot.
Fly Rod:
The fly rod we recommend for salmon fishing should be an 9 or 10 weight, in a nine foot length. It is probably best in a medium fast to fast action.
The fly rod we recommend for steelhead fishing is a 7 or 8 weight in a nine foot length. It is probably best in a medium fast to fast action.
If you prefer to use a Spey Rod, then we suggest a 9 weight, 14 foot length rod. It should be a medium to fast action rod.
Leader:
You want a stiff, hard leader material like our Perfect Fly leaders. The size should range from a minimum of ten pound test up to twelve pound test. They should be nine to fifteen feet long for a regular fly rod and from ten and a half to fifteen feet for two handed Spey rods. If you use a sinking fly line, you would want them only about four to six feet long. We have hand-tied Perfect Fly steelhead leaders.
Tippet:
You want to carry plenty of extra tippet material for ten to twelve pound test. It too should be hard, stiff material that is abrasive resistance.
Waders:
Unless you want to fish from the banks in the few areas it is practical, then waders are necessary. We suggest them even if you fish from a drift boat.
Wading Boots:
The wading boots you use are very important. Both cleats and rubber/felt bottoms are used.
Landing Net:
A landing net is recommended. The main requirement is that the net should be very large. The net area should be at least 15 inches wide by 20 inches long. The overall length is usually around 32 inches.
Flies:
We have a complete line of flies for steelhead and salmon. We have selected them as the most popular flies from thousands of patterns that have been developed over the years. We have some of our own Perfect Fly steelhead and salmon patterns. They imitate the hexigenia mayfly nymph, certain caddisfly nymphs, stonefly nymphs and fish roe or eggs that are found in the river throughout the year. We also have a full line of popular wet flies, egg flies, Spey flies that are very popular. We hope you will give our flies a try.
For Trout:
Fly Line:
We recommend either a 4 or 5 weight floating line for the trout. Some anglers may prefer to use a 6 weight fly line for their nymphs and streamer fishing, but it wouldn’t be absolutely necessary.
Fly Rod:
We recommend a rod for the 4, 5 or 6 weight line that is nine feet in length in a medium fast to fast action.
Fly Reel:
The reel for the four, five or six weight rod should have a decent drag. It should be smooth. A disc drag that adjust in fine increments would be best.
Leaders:
You should use leaders from 71/2 foot to 12 foot in length for the McKenzie River. I suggest having them in sizes ranging from 0X for streamers, up to 6X for small dry flies and midges, in the various lengths.
Tippet:
You should have extra tippet in sizes ranging from 0X to 6X.
Waders:
Waders are necessary for the McKenzie River. We prefer the breathable type. You may want neoprene waders during cold weather.
Wading Boots:
Much of the bottom in either gravel, sand or rock. You would not want cleats. Felt soles are the best.
Landing Net:
A landing net is purely optional.
Trout Flies:
We definitely recommend our “Perfect Fly” trout flies. They are by far the best flies for the McKenzie River because they are the most realistic flies you can purchase. We have imitations of every insect and other trout food that is present in this stream. If you haven’t done so already, we ask you to give them a try. We know you will not be disappointed.