Stock Options

As fall transitions into winter, invest in your mental health by exploring our late-season fly fishing opportunities. There are plenty of options close to home; you just need to put them on the calendar before the page turns.

Trout fishing on the west side of the Cascades closes at the end of the month, including coastal streams, with a few exceptions on Willamette tributaries down in the Valley. So, visit your favorite haunts on the upper Clackamas or other local favorites for a last shot at resident Trout, or hit the North Coast rivers for Searun Cutthroat.

The Clackamas River above North Fork Reservoir offers miles of water to explore with fewer anglers to compete against this time of year. The resident Rainbows are fattening up for winter and will aggressively smash a well-cast dry fly that passes through their holding spots. We like patterns that float high and look like food. Humpys, Parachute Adams, or Float'n Fools always work, as well as October Caddis, Caddis, and even Beetles or Ants. Of course, fishing subsurface is an option, but the fast pocket water holding areas can be tricky to fish without losing flies to hidden snags. A Hopper/Dropper can be productive, but keep the dropper 12" or so to avoid spending all your fishing time rerigging.

Down on the coast, Searuns are a great distraction if chasing Steelhead on the Eastside of the state has worn you out. Fish can be found well above tidewater in deeper pools this time of year and will grab swung flies or patterns presented on the strip. Skittering an October Caddis in a tail-out can also be explosive. If there are spawning Salmon around, there will be Searuns. Spruce Flies, Borden Specials, Clouser Minnows, and Morrish's October Caddis are favorites, but classics like Juicy Bugs and Red Ants still get it done.

Coho have been invading our local rivers close to home, with what seems like a record return to the Clackamas and Willamette River tributaries. Reports have fish spawning in Tualatin River tributaries that historically did not have Coho. Rumor has it that Coho are an invasive species above Willamette Falls with anglers finding success at the mouth of the Molala and Tualatin with each splash of rain.

The Clackamas River has been kicking out summer Steelhead, and Coho for those plying those waters. While most of the Steelhead are colored-up summer fish, we should see a few bright early winter fish in the mix with the rain. Traditionally, mid-November is the kick-off to our winter season, but don't blow your fishing budget until we get into December and the New Year. We haven't had enough cold weather to require sink-tips, but many anglers have made the switch. You might want to add a 50/50 tip to your kit and a few lighter winter flies. Coho casters love Josh's Coho Twizzler which works fine off a floating line or short sink tip. Just don't let it hit you in the back of the head...

Speaking of the Fly Czar, he's been undergoing Steelhead withdrawal with his drift boat trailer beaking a main rail, and his heart. This minor setback has taken him out of the game for a few weeks, but we're happy to report the folks at Baker Trailer have him back on the road and heading to the river this weekend. Which river? That's a good question.

Steelhead have started to show in the John Day, and while it's early, it's an option. I'll probably get hate mail for that, but whatever. Still, the Deschutes is the main focus for fly swingers and success comes and goes with the day. Floating lines are getting it done, but reliance on sink-tips has become the norm for many. As they say, whatever floats your boat. Redneck Revenge and the Royal Treatment were the last two flies reported back to me that had scored, but we've been selling a lot of Black/Blue winter stuff lately and T-11 tips.

Last on this mental health prospectus is our favorite Spring Creek, the Metolius. While fickle, she can reward those who believe in her clear waters and finicky Trout. Hatches of October Caddis, Caddis, Flavs, and misc. mayflies will tempt trout and anglers until the snow flies, which could be any day now. Remember, the river above Allingham Bridge closes at the end of the month.