south fork mckenzie river fishing

Flowing northwest within Lane County, it meets the McKenzie River about 60 miles from the larger river's confluence with the Willamette River. The Smallmouth Bass which was not a native to the Umpqua, has ironically become a summer favorite on the river. The 30 mile long stretch from the dam down to Springfield has a very rural character with few residences lightly scattered between the opens-pace greenway created by the numerous parks located along the river banks. Because the soils in the lower estuary are very silty and prone to disturbance from the heavy sheep and cattle grazing, the lower river is often quite muddy in the days after moderate to heavy rain. It originates from just above its outflow from Clear Lake on the western slope of the Cascade Mountains. Trolling the Bays and the lower reaches of our coastal river is often the…, Mark & Jeff hold a couple beauties we hooked on our "high water drift" on Friday. After the bridge, the riparian area takes on a more pastoral character comprised of small farms, pastures often giving way to stands of Cottonwood trees and Alders lining the river banks. The river is about 110 miles long and drains an area of 773 square miles. View our South Fork McKenzie River fishing map for … Every mile offers excellent trout fishing. The cities of Eugene and Springfield benefit from the river's high water quality as they have tapped the river and adjacent aquifers to provide water to some 200,000 plus residents. The McKenzie is one of Oregon’s favorite fly fishing streams for wild redside and stocked rainbow trout, plus native cutthroat trout, but it also has excellent late spring and summer fishing for summer steelhead (and springers). For this reason, the salmon and steelhead in the Willamette Middle Fork are largely dependent on smolt releases from the hatchery programs. Most fishing attention is directed toward Fall Chinook and Winter Steelhead and also to a smaller run of Summer Steelhead. It starts on the West side of the Roaring river ridge in the Cascade mountains and flows generally North through Willamette national forest to meet a large Creek, about 22 miles from its confluence with the Mackenzie river. Known for its cold, crystal clear waters the Class II-III McKenzie River hosts whitewater thrill seekers, world class anglers and nature lovers. Localsboast that virtually any time of the year there is something to catch in the Umpqua. The headwaters emerge in the heavily forested timber lands of the Cascades, flowing generally northwest. PROVISIONAL DATA SUBJECT TO REVISION. One of the six hook-ups included a…, Large Winter Steelhead are often available in the Month of March. Available data for this site Click to hide station-specific text Station operated in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 541-726-7234 roaringfork@aol.com39621 Deerhorn Road,Springfield, Oregon 97478 The McKenzie drainage comprises and area 1300 square miles, 96 percent of which is forested and 4 percent dedicated to agriculture. Over the years, I’ve learned much about the McKenzie that is obvious and much that is subtle. The entire stretch can be very productive for catch and release fly fishing of Redsides (native Rainbow) and Cutthroat Trout. Just past Roseburg, the North and South forks combine to form the main stem which then passes through the Coast Range and slowly meanders through small agricultural valleys and pasture land supporting scattered oak and maple groves below fir-lined ridges. Open for hatchery Chinook salmon Jan 1 – Aug 31 and Oct 15 – Dec 31. Last updated 9/30/20. Submitted by Ken Engelman on November ... McKenzie River Reflections is the weekly newspaper serving Oregon's McKenzie River Valley. The following apply to open sections below: * Open for hatchery trout May 22 – Oct 31, 5 hatchery trout per day, no minimum length. Such residents include Bull Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Sculpin and Chubs, while Rainbow & Cutthroat Trout, Spring Chinook Salmon, and Summer Steelhead represent the more sought after fish targeted by hopeful anglers. The South Fork McKenzie River is a tributary, about 31 miles (50 km) long, of the McKenzie River in the U.S. state of Oregon. A long shallow area of tidewater along the sandy bluffs at the mouth can make these fish vulnerable and available to fishermen and seals alike sometimes for a month or two before the regular rains set in. In addition to five hatchery trout, two wild trout may be kept daily. The McKenzie River is 90 miles (145 km) long and includes a South Fork. Tossing spinners, float fishing baits, and stripping in heavily weighted flies can all produce catches as the fish wait to move on up the river. Continue down this road and turn left (east) at Forest Road 456. More Reports. The South Fork McKenzie River For the first time in over 50 years, hundreds of Chinook salmon are returning to spawn in the waters where their ancestors returned year after year. Fishing for Chinook salmon is permitted from Edson Creek on down to the mouth, while steelhead fishing is allowed much further upriver. Only hatchery produced Spring Chinook may be harvested on the McKenzie and they are identified by a missing adipose fin. Within the river and its tributaries, there are a number of dams and power projects associated with the Eugene Water & Electric Board, Army Corps of Engineers, and Bonneville Power who utilize and manage the river for flood control and hydro-electric power. John Gross – Roaring Fork Guide Service – 2018 Newsletter Dear Friends & Fishing Enthusiasts, As I sit here at my home office…. Flyfishing can be excellent in the summer. Santiam River, South Fork. Spring Chinook & Summer Steelhead are the primary game fish targeted in the South Fork. Cougar Lake is a long, narrow multi-purpose reservoir, built by the Corps of Engineers in 1963 by damming the South Fork of the McKenzie River about three miles south of Rainbow. The Main Stem Umpqua and the South Fork get quite a bit of attention for Winter-Run Steelhead. Caster’s Guide Service Wild Winter Steelhead begin to show up around mid-December and continue to arrive through March. The area is also home to a variety of other species and wildlife, including Raina the Raven, who was rescued and rehabilitated by the forest service folks working on the project, and still frequents the area. A 50 mile long river, the main Coquille flows into the Pacific Ocean at Bandon. Upper reaches of the Sixes River lies in federal and privately held timberland sometimes subject to heavy logging. It begins at about 4,500 feet (1,400 m) above sea level near Mink Lake in the Three Sisters Wilderness of the Cascade Range. Oregon. The “Upper” South Fork starts at Palisades Dam and ends at the Conant Valley boat access. For its size, the river has a relatively long zone of tidal influence stretching almost 20 river miles from the south to Calloway Creek just west of the town of Coquille. Depending on the river conditions, baits lures and even flies can all prove very effective. While the neighboring Elk River tends to run swift and shallow, the Sixes has a slightly different feel to it, as it eases around large bends, meandering past lower river cattle ranches on down through Cape Blanco State Park. The upper Elk River above the state hatchery, has a pool & drop character, with steep canyon walls and large boulders. Use of bait allowed April 22 – Oct 31, but beginning Nov. 1 anglers may only use lures and artificial flies. With often non-stop action and comfortable summer temperatures, this fishery indeed creates an perfect opportunity for getting kids hooked on fishing. Crane Prairie Reservoir. The Umpqua River has a relatively long zone of tidal influence extending all the way from Scottsburg on through Winchester Bay, its gateway to the Pacific. (All wild trout throughout this river system must now be released, including nonnative brook trout.) The South Fork of the Snake is the lodge’s home river, and there are approximately 65 miles of river from Palisades Reservoir to the confluence with the Henry’s Fork. The Elk River is a very scenic mid-sized coastal stream running 29 miles free of any dam control out of the Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest. 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