The Fall has been fishing well, and with the consistent stocking by ODFW we are seeing good numbers of fish in most of the usual haunts along the river. Nymphing has been the most productive method, and using a light two fly rig with just enough split shot to get flies near the bottom provides for the light presentation needed to avoid spooking fish. Smaller flies have been most effective, and we’ve been seeing best results when trailing a midge pattern behind a small Mayfly or Stonefly nymph. There is opportunity to fish dries as well, with fish opportunistically looking towards the surface for the occasional Mayfly or terrestrial. The late afternoon and evening are the best time to target fish on dries, but I like to have a dry fly rod with me throughout the day to throw to towards the occasional rise or to fish around tight structure and deadfall. A small streamer or leech pattern should get attention from large fish.
Suggested Nymphs: Olive or Hare’s Ear Anato-May #16-20, Olive or Brown Micro Mayfly #16-20, Quasimodo Pheasant Tail #18-20, Black or Purple Zebra Midge #18-22, Black or Tan Beadwing Midge #18-22, Tailwater Tiny #18-22
Suggested Dries: Purple Haze #16-20, Parachute Adams #16-20, PMD Sparkle Dun #16-20, Black Stimulator #18, Black Foam Ant #16, Peacock Chubby Chernobyl #16
Suggested Streamers: Black or Tan Sculpzilla #6, Olive or White Wooly Bugger #10-12, Olive or Rust Slump Buster #6, Olive or Black BH Mini Leech #12-14