As most of you are already aware, the summer runs have been exceptionally well this season and it looks like most tributaries are fishing great. People have had luck above the Willamette Falls as well as in all the rivers feeding the Columbia from late summer through this week.
Typical tactics like dry lines in the morning in the low light have been productive and as the sun peaks out switching over to either a T8 or T 11 tip depending on the depth and the flow.
Any smallwinter fly like a hobo spey style will usually do the trick when they’re around, but I’ve had my best luck with really drab colors and low amounts of flash. The water is pretty clear this time of the year. Also, take in consideration that I believe the fish get a little leader shy this time of the year and I will extend my tippet to four or 5 feet and go down to 10-pound fluorocarbon when fishing a tip in the sun. Maybe it matters, maybe it doesn’t. All I know is that we hook fish.
Coho have been coming through in hoards as well so don’t discount them either. Our local rivers like the Sandy and the Clack, although low, have been producing some pretty good fishing. I won’t say exactly how many fish we hooked this week but enough to definitely scratch the edge.
The mornings have been the best obviously, but we’ve even found a few fish midday as crowds are pretty low. If you have a boat, that’s great, but I think the drift boat is kind of out of action. Pretty bony in some sections.
Again with the amount of fish entering our system this summer and fall it’s a great time to learn how to swing Flies for Steelhead. Throwing a spare rod is a lot easier than you would think and with the right instruction, things come along pretty quickly. Plus, it’s a ton of fun. And a great way to wrap your head around the incoming winter fishery when there’s not much to do if you don’t ski.
Eric Leininger (@mykizha)
Professional Guide and Brand Ambassador
