Wild winter steelhead on the Oregon Coast
For the guides at the McKenzie Angler, nothing feels better than seeing one of our clients laying down a nice cast, the line tightening, and a chrome rocket leaping out of the water. Even after countless trips, we still get overly excited when a steelhead is on the end of one of our client’s lines; sometimes so much that you may think we have hooked the fish. That is because it feels great to instruct someone into the largest or hottest freshwater fish that they have caught in their lives, and totally on their own.
Until recently, steelhead fly fishing on the McKenzie was a very foreign thing. While people would think of steelheading on the McKenzie and fly fishing, the two never really mixed. At the McKenzie Angler, we felt that the steelhead fly fishing on the McKenzie was an underutilized resource. Nowadays, fly fishing for steelhead on the McKenzie is recognized as a very effective method for catching these large sea-run rainbows, and it is here to stay. More and more people are realizing how effective flies can be for steelhead– at times flies will outfish any other method.
At the McKenzie Angler, we have guided trips that are available for specifically targeting steelhead. We fish for steelhead in Oregon year-round, and the river to fish is based upon what season it is. The McKenzie and Willamette rivers are fished for summer run steelhead, while nearby coastal rivers are fished for winter run steelhead. Summer run steelhead are present from late March through November, and winter run fisheries are open and fished from December through March. Winter steelheading is extremely dependent upon water levels and weather conditions. Trips are better planned on short notice for winter fishing; while summer run trips can be booked well in advance.
High water summer steelhead from the McKenzie
We focus our trips on showing the proper techniques and water types to fish for these magnificent fish. Our main goal is that you leave the trip with more fishing “know how” that when you showed up for the trip. Catching steelhead is, of course, a huge emphasis, but nature controls how the fishing goes (along with a little luck) and that is why we place such an importance on instructing while guiding. We want you to be able to go out and catch steelhead on your own after going out on the river with us on your guided trip.
If you seek a new challenge beyond your typical trout adventure, or you want to crack the mysterious steelhead 1000 casts-per-fish code, then come out with us for a day on the water. We would love to show you where and how to get into the elusive chrome!
July Willamette River Chromer