Fly Fishing Gear for the McKenzie River in Oregon

Fly Fishing Gear 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 or steelhead. We will recommend gear for both.

Fly Line:
If you are fishing some parts of the upper McKenzie River, you may want to consider a 4
weight floating fly line. If you are fishing for rainbow trout in the larger portions of the river,
then we suggest a 5 weight fly line. If you fish streamers and larger nymphs, we recommend
a 6 weight, floating fly line. You may want to use a sinking, or sinking tip line for the steelhead
when you are fishing deeper water. A 7 or 8 weight fly line would be best for the steelhead.
We prefer an 8 weight line.

Fly Rod:
If you choose to use a 4 weight fly line, then a fly rod from eight to eight and one half feet
long, in a medium action, would work best in our opinion. For the five weight line, we
recommend a 5 weight, eight and one-half to nine foot, medium to medium fast action fly rod.
The rod for the 6 weight line should be nine feet long, in a medium fast to fast action. A stiffer
tip comes in handy for larger nymphs. You would need a seven or eight weight fly rod
between 9 and 10 feet long for the 7 or 8 weight steelhead fly line. You may also consider a
spey rod. Again, we think the 8 weight, 9 to 10 foot fly rod would be best for the steelhead.

Fly Reel:
The reel for the 4 weight (or lighter) fly line should be light weight but that is about the only
requirement. The reels for the 5, 6 and 7 weight lines should all have very good drags. They
should be smooth and adjust to fine increments. Most anglers use a large arbor reel with lots
of backing for the 8 weight line.

Leaders:
You should probably use at least a 9 foot leader anywhere you fish the McKenzie River for
trout. In some situations, you may need to use a 12 leader. We suggest you have them in
sizes ranging from a 0X for streamers, up to 7X for small dry flies.

You need a hard, stiff leader for the steelhead ranging from ten feet up to fifteen feet long for
the spey rod, if you use one. Leaders for large streamers should be much shorter for either
the trout, or steelhead. We recommend heavy, three to four foot long leaders for the large
streamers.

Tippet:
You should have extra tippet material in sizes ranging from 0X to 7X.

Waders:
You will need waders on the McKenzie River. We prefer the breathable type but you may
want to consider neopreme waders during cold weather.

Wading Boots:
Felt soles would be our choice for wading boots. We are still considering the pros and cons
of rubber soled wading boots.

Wading Staff:
A wading staff would be optional. It certainly doesn't hurt to have one.

Landing Net:
A landing net would be recommended, especially for the steelhead.

Trout Flies:
We always recommend our "Perfect Fly" Flies. We have specific imitations of
every important insect that hatches on the McKenzie River. Our flies are the
most realistic and most effective imitations you can buy. If you haven't already done so, we
hope you give them an opportunity to perform for you. You'll be glad you did.