Brothers Bryce and Ron Downey joined me on the Willamette on Wednesday, the 29th, in search of some late season summer steelhead. They had just finished two days fishing with upper Rogue flyfishing guru, Michael Gorman. Naturally, expectations were high! 
 
The river was runnning about a foot higher than summer level, so we decided on a longer float through the section above Springfield. By lunch Bryce and Ron had each landed some nice wild trout as well as a "half-pounder" steelhead of about 16 inches. After lunch Bryce landed a nice 8 lb hen on a nymph. High fives all around! We found some good trout action on October caddis dries in the afternoon, but Ron still dreamed of that elusive steelhead. He came close and had one on but lost it due (we found later) to a broken hook point. Oops! Always check your flies, Matt! 
 
Coming into the last pool of the day, we all hoped for a fish for Ron who had come all the way from Virginia for his first steelhead. Not only did he get a fish, he landed two, the last a scorcher that jumped four times and ran deep into the backing. Bryce got in on the action there too, hooking and losing a nice one. That last pool was the day-maker! You never know when it will happen. You've just got to keep swinging! 
 
Check out some photos from the day: 
 

Posted by: Matt Ramsey

I returned yesterday from my annual gig with Sweetwater Travel Company in outer Mongolia. The taimen fishing was great, as always. The early season was marked by wet weather and less-than-perfect river conditions, but we were still able to find nice fish willing to attack our flies each day. A client in the upper camp landed a 60-inch giant (his first taimen) on a surface fly despite the murky water. By the last week, the river was in prime condition and taimen were happily terrorizing undersized river fauna, much to a fly angler's delight.  
 
As usual, in my boat, the biggest fish of the year (48"-52") managed to avoid having his picture taken. But quite a few trophies in the 40"-44" range came to the net. The fishing days were occasionally interrupted by encounters with local herders, taking a break from hand-cutting grass meadows for hay, who came down to the river to make a few casts or just to check us out. 
 
Besides the fishing, we were serenaded on the night of the full moon by a howling pack of wolves just behind camp. A few nights later that week, the same pack attacked our camp caretaker's herd of horses, wounding a couple of adults and killing a young colt. Fellow High Desert Drifter, Jeff Coughenour, guiding on his first trip to Mongolia, did some field suturing that evening on the wounded mare. I'm happy to report she was healing nicely as of our departure.  
 
Beginning on the night of the first frost, bugling bull elk haunted the hills behind camp each night. Hoping to find a mate and always staying a step ahead of the wolves, they move like ghosts through the forest.  
 
As I flew out on the helicopter heading home, the river was in perfect shape and the taimen were on the prowl, stocking up before the long cold winter. I can't wait for next year! 
 
Here are a few scenes from the trip. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Posted by: Matt Ramsey

Well the heat wave broke and was replaced by a couple of weeks of decidedly cooler weather. It has felt like September ever since, with cool mornings, clouds, and occasional showers. On Thursday, August 21st, Jay Hyer came down from the Portland area to celebrate his 66th birthday with a solo trip on the upper McKenzie. He put his considerable flyfishing experience to work and caught fish from the put-in to the take-out. After 8 1/2 hours of steady action, Jay was ready to go for 8 1/2 more! Truly a fishing machine. Here are a couple of shots from Jay's birthday party. You shoulda been there! 
 
 
 
The weather continued it's cooler theme throughout the end of the month, highlighted by a recent outing with Ian Hight and Erik Krieger, who came down from Portland for the opening game of the Ducks Football Season. They had the idea of getting into a few steelhead in the morning before enjoying a Duck victory over the rival Washington Huskies.  
 
We chose to do the classic Town Float on the Willamette with it's views of Autzen Stadium from the river. With the weather cold, damp, and windy, I guessed we would find some biters. Sure enough, somewhere in the second hour of fishing, Erik hooked and landed a sweet 10-pound hen. He was stoked and procalimed it a positive omen for the Ducks that evening. Not to be outdone, on the next pass through the pool, Ian hooked a hot bright fish that jumped at least a half dozen times. Just as we thought it was coming under control, the fish ran to a rock reef and wrapped the line under a log. We had several chaotic minutes of trying to free the line with the spare oar, but ultimately, Ian continued his tradition of losing trophies in my boat (he hooks more than most!), and the fish hung him on the log and melted away back into the depths. After we regrouped, the third pass through the pool produced yet another hookup for Erik, but it came unbuttoned after a few powerful headshakes. 
 
Later that day, as we passed under the Ferry St. Bridge, Erik was lamenting their decision to not bring any beer in the boat (they had to prepare for the game, after all). No problem! We just pulled in at McMennamin's Pub and sent Erik up the bank to buy a couple of cold ones. That set the boys up nicely, and took the edge off when, not too long after, Erik hooked another hot steelhead that threw the hook. All in all a great day for steelhead action followed by the hoped for victory at Autzen that night. BTW: If not for a missed extra point in the second half, Erik would've nailed the spread. Check out the pregame action: 
 
 
 
 

Posted by: Matt Ramsey

This week has been a scorcher! Temps on the back deck have been hitting triple digits for the last few days. Some intrepid out-of-towners braved the heat wave for a crack at some of the fishing on the local rivers. 
 
On Thursday, August 14th, I was joined for a family float by the Hrdinas (pronounced just like it reads): Gene, Donna, and Chase, from Columbia, Missouri. We chose a float on the lower McKenzie and were happy to find lots of willing trout, several great swimming holes, and the osprey (see previous entries), who did his thing to give the trip an explosive ending. The Hrdina family vowed to return soon for more adventures in Western Oregon. Check out some photos: 
 
 
 
Next, on Friday and Saturday, the 15th and 16th. Local legened, Ethan Nickel, and I hosted a party of Kentuckians: Scott Ingram, Steve King, and Wes King. We started out with a float on the upper McKenzie where the trout fishing was as good as it gets for 8- to 12-inch rainbows and a few nice cutthroat. The high temperature drove us all to immersion in the chilly 52 degree water in the early afternoon. So refreshing! 
 
The next morning we met at 5 a.m. to target summer steelhead on the Middle Fork Willamette. Everyone was ready to put in some time and effort in the hope of hooking a trophy.  
 
Around 7 a.m. Wes got the first grab from a steelhead on a big purple leech fly, but it didn't get hooked. Scott and Ethan in the other boat anchored across the river, and, while Wes tried his cast again, Scott flipped his fly out and started to lengthen his line. Ethan noticed a slight tug and instructed, " Wait! Let it hang there." Bang! a nice 6-pound fish climbed on and gave a Scott spirited acrobatic battle. We were all stoked when Ethan put the net under it. Lots of whoops and high fives all around. But we hadn't forgotten about Wes's grab. We decided to try the secret weapon: "Steely Dan," the cleanup hitter, fished from the boat. It didn't take long before Wes's rod folded over hard and the fish was on! Wes fought it like a champ through three holes as the whole party of two boats gave chase downriver. The big buck finally began to tire and Wes worked him steadily closer until it was in the net. A beautiful 9 pounder!  
 
For the rest of the morning we alternated fishing for native cutthroat and rainbows and swinging for steelhead. Steve had one grab from a steelhead that didn't get stuck, but did land quite a few nice trout. The crew from Kentucky was all smiles as they drove away. They had found the perfect way to beat the heat here in the southern Willamette Valley.  
Here's the proof: 
 
 
 
 

Posted by: Matt Ramsey

Thanks to the nice snowpack this year, trout fishing is still quite good well into August. On Sunday, August 10th, two veteran McKenzie hands, Neal Goldsmith and Don Parker, made the drive over from Bend for their annual trip on the upper river. Although the biggest fish got away (as usual!), Don and Neal still had steady action on dries and nymphs throughout the day. Here are some photos from the day: 
 
 
On Tuesday, August 10th, I was joined for a half-day of trouting on the lower McKenzie by Bob Hannigan of Corvallis. We encountered exactly one other boat through a morning of good action on dries and nymphs.  
 
Scott also reports a good half day, on Monday, the 11th on the upper river where they got into a bunch of trout and even hooked and lost a chrome bright summer steelhead. Gumby's boat has been hot this year for steelhead!  

Posted by: Matt Ramsey

Thursday, August 7th, was a perfect day for steelhead flyfishing: calm, cool, and cloudy. Jeff and Monita Cheever from Newport, OR rose early to try their luck in search of their first steelhead on the Middle Fork of the Willamette's fabled "Town Run." Jeff had paid his dues over years of less-than-successful attempts, and he was hoping that this would be the day. Early in the day, Monita sagely recognized that catching a steelhead would mean more to Jeff than it would to her. With that in mind, she deftly shook her fly loose from first one and then another fish. She claimed it was accidental each time, but I knew better. As the morning wore on, we were thrilled and briefly distracted by the sight of an adult bald eagle swooping down and snatching a fish from the surface of the river. Jeff was still gamely swinging away, his enthusiasm not noticibly dampened even after nearly six hours without so much as a strike. 
 
Somewhere around hour six, it happened! Jeff's line tightened and began buzzing off his reel. Fish on! The steelhead thrashed at the surface, shaking its head furiously in a vain attempt to throw the hook. Just when things started to look favorable, the fish made a v-wake run across the river taking line well into the backing. Jeff was up to the challenge, however, and parried the steelhead's every thrust and jab until finally the fish was in the net. Both Jeff and Monita were ecstatic over the catch and the day. When it comes to steelhead dues, you never know when your luck will turn. You've just got to keep swinging. 
 
Check out Jeff's and Monita's first steelhead: 
 

Posted by: Matt Ramsey

After last Friday's trip on the Lower McKenzie, we're considering adding "osprey-fishing tours" to the offerings here at Two Dudes Flyfishing. Central California coast surfers, Andrew and Bryson Lino, joined me for a fun day of trout fishing on the McKenzie. The trout were keyed-in to the big dries throughout the cloudy morning. As we neared the section of the river where Charlie Greenwood had his memorable encounter with an osprey (see previous:"Summer Steelhead and Trout" 7-12-08), I noticed what appeared to be the same bird watching the action intently from a nearby tree. He shadowed us down the river until we neared Greenwood's Riffle, at which point, the bird appeared to fly away over the trees. Andrew quickly hooked a nice 10-inch hatchery trout and was bringing it to the boat when, "boom!" The osprey dove on the fish not 15 feet from the boat. Off it flew with the squirming trout, peeling line from Andrew's reel. "Grab the reel!" I said. Andrew did, and the fly popped off as the Osprey flew off out of sight. We all shared a collective "wow! I can't believe that just happened" moment.  
 
Imagine our surprise when the opsrey returned about a half-hour later to watch us fish another productive riffle. Again as Andrew reeled in a trout, the osprey came in boldly, snatching the fish within 6 feet of the boat. Again it flew off, the reel screaming until the pop-off. Amazing! Clearly this bird has figured it out. I don't imagine that we're the only boat that has had this experience with this bird. But I haven't heard this story from any other guides as yet. Who knows if this will keep happening?  
 
Now booking: "Osprey-Fishing Adventures" Call the Dudes for details. 
 
Here are some photos from the Lino's adventure: 
 
 

Posted by: Matt Ramsey

After finishing out my Deschutes trout season with a fantastic 5-day float with the Billy Bob Show, I decided to "scout" the Middle Fork of the Willamette to assess the action heading into August. Tuesday, July 29th, was a perfect fishing day: warm, still, and cloudy with occasional light drizzle. I was joined by Fred and our buddy, Q. Q was on an "O-fer" for the summer steelhead season, having lost 12 in a row up to this point. Trout action was spotty for most of the morning but we hardly noticed after Fred surprised no one by landing a 10-pound steelhead on his spey rod.  
 
Around midday, we got into some geat rise activity with the trout taking #20 tan caddis all around the boat. Action was fast and frenzied, and quite a few rainbows and cutts came reluctantly to hand. At the end of the float on darn near the last swing of the day, Q hooked up a blisteringly hot buck of about 8 pounds. After several screaming runs and frantic leaps, the fish was in the net. I thought Q was going to cry with happiness: finally bringing home dinner for his long-suffering girlfriend, Lina. That loud splash you might have heard on Tuesday around 3 p.m. was the monkey falling off Q's back and into the river. 
Here's the proof: 
 

Posted by: Matt Ramsey

On July 27th, thanks to Brad's thoughtful wife, he and his brother joined me for a birthday celebration trout safari. It was the first cloudy day in a couple of weeks. The Rainbow Trout came out of hiding and were freely rising to our dry flies. The brothers had a derby. Brad surged out early, landed our first single double(2 fish on one line), and taunted Greg every chance he got. When the better fishing switched to the left bank he quieted down a little, but still stole every opportunity to poach Greg's water. They caught fish at will, two at a time, even on back casts. After lunch Greg landed his single double and they took turns sight fishing for a nice bright Summer Steelhead. In the end I think this round was a draw. This is what it looked like from my vantage: 
 

Posted by: Scott Nelson

Charlie Greenwood came back a week after his osprey encounter (see previous entry) to try his luck for steelhead. Charlie's 4-year unskunked streak for steelhead remained intact when, late in the morning, we connected with a chrome 8 lb-er. Charlie steadily fought the fish through several leaps and runs eventually bringing it to the net. Here's a shot of Charlie's 2008 trophy dinner guest: 
 
 
 
The next day after Charlie's trip, I launched for a 4-day float on the Deschutes with the High Desert Drifters. We had great fishing the first day and fair to good fishing throughout the next three days. Caddis and small mayflies were the ticket to fooling the feeding fish. Lot's of other boats on the river made the fishing somewhat demanding. A blown cast or unstealthy approach was often enough to put down a pod of rising trout. If you could make the cast, however, the fish were willing more often then not. Here are a couple of shots from the trip:  
 
 

Posted by: Matt Ramsey

While Eugene hosted the US Olympic Trials at Hayward Field, the fishing action continued on the local rivers. On July 2nd I was joined by Mike Mushkin making his annual trip to the southern Valley. We decided to target summer steelhead on the Willamette. Mike has been haunted by a great fish from a couple of seasons ago that fought spectacularly en route to coming unbuttoned. And we had high hopes of closing the deal this time around. Alas, late in a morning of swinging to likely lies, Mike hooked another fish, only to have it come unhooked moments into the encounter. Such is the nature of steelheading: you have to pay your dues. Mike has now paid his up front. Next time we'll get that fish! 
 
The following day, I was joined by Ed Marlatt from Los Altos Hills, CA for his first day on the beautiful McKenzie River. An early start on a hot day paid off with steady action throughout the morning for 8-12" rainbows on dries and nymphs on the upper river. The best fish of the day, a chunky 14" wild redside decided at the last moment not to allow us to take his picture. But it didn't dampen Ed's enjoyment of the day. Check out this shot of Ed after it got away: 
 
 
 
Finally, on Monday, the 7th, as Eugene slept in after the Trials, I was joined by longtime Two Dudes client, Charlie Greenwood, of Overland Park, KS. We again got an early start and were rewarded with excellent fishing for hatchery rainbows throughout the day. After a fish-fry lunch (Charlie's favorite!), we had an encounter that niether of us will soon forget. Charlie was hooked up with a nice sized trout when, out of nowhere, an adult osprey dove into the water, not 15 feet behind the boat in pursuit of the fish. The big bird missed and hovered for a moment before diving in again. Another miss. As Charlie landed his fish the osprey flew back to its perch on a dead tree, and watched us intently. Charlie quickly hooked another trout and once again the osprey dove into the river after it. Finally on Charlie's third hookup and the osprey's fifth attack, the bird had the fish and flew off downriver as line peeled off Charlie's reel. "Grab the reel!" I suggested, which Charlie did, popping the fly loose. The osprey turned and flew back past the boat upriver. I swear he was grinning at us as he displayed his prize on the flyby! Check out this shot of Charlie with the diving osprey: 
 
 

Posted by: Matt Ramsey

Our good friends, Mike and Nancy Phillips used the occasion of a visit from Nancy's brother, Ken, to come over for a 2 Dudes- 2 Boats Special on the lower McKenzie. Polly rounded out the foursome, and came prepared to do battle with some fiesty fish. As the river had recently been stocked with clouds of 8- to 12-inch hatchery rainbows, we felt confident we could pull off a fish fry at lunch. We were right. The action was very good throughout the day and everyone caught plenty. While Ken's steady diligence paid off with high-rod honors for the day, little sister Nancy had the fish of the day. . . almost! At the end of an especially productive riffle, as Scott was readying his charges to move out, Nancy's indicator went down with authority and the anticipated 8 incher turned into an 8 pounder! The chrome bright steelehad made a high-speed geometric escape maneuver and exited the run, coming unbuttoned as it picked up speed. Nancy was thrilled by the encounter, and everyone was still buzzing from the day as they headed back home to Bend that evening. Check out some photos: 
 
 

Posted by: Matt Ramsey

The chomers are in! The early season summer steelhead run is making its presence felt here in the Southern Willamette Valley. Last week I got out a couple of times on the Middle Fork Willamette. In one morning's fishing, Ethan and I landed three chrome bright beauties, including Ethan's exceptional 13 lb. hen. Fred and I got into a couple more the next day, but this time we were humbled. After a solid take and a backing stripping, jaw droppingly aerial, and frenzied battle, a gorgeous 10-12 lb. hen finally came into landing range only to come unbuttoned at the very lip of the net! Later the same day a fish climbed onto the fly as my rod was lying unattended in the bottom of the boat. Mayhem ensued, and by the time I was able to get ahold of the caroming cork handle, the line was slack. Thankfully Fred didn't share in the emotional roller coaster that I was riding. He happily caught rainbows and cutthroat on big dries throughout the float.  

Posted by: Matt Ramsey

On May 31st I was joined by Bruce Breitling and his grandson Jake Sandors. Jake had been given a new fishing rod as a Christmas present and then, for a birthday gift, his thoughtful grandpa hired me for the day to help him break it in. It did not take long. The three of us launched my drift boat at Hendricks Wayside and Jake caught a nice fat Trout on his very first cast. Yahoo! Our good fortune continued throughout the day. We caught a couple of oversized Rainbows, a bunch of average sized Trout(Cutthroats & Rainbows), and then about 2:30pm Jake made the cast heard up and down the McKenzie Valley. 25 hard fought minutes later Jake landed the fish of the year... so far. A 15 lb. Spring Chinook Hen. I cant think of a better way to celebrate. Happy Birthday Jake. Check out the photo:  
 
 
 
 

Posted by: Scott Nelson

Last week on the Deschutes we were joking that the Salmonfly trout action was great. . . for April! The weather was unseasonably cold and wet, but the bugs were out in great numbers, and the big redsides took notice. Cloudy weather led to some good PMD hatches each day, but big bug patterns worked all the way from Warm Springs to Maupin. The section from Powerboat Bend to Buckskin Mary Rapids provided the best action of the trip. At times it looked like it was raining bowling balls with all the explosive rises along the banks as we floated through the canyon. 

Posted by: Matt Ramsey