McKenzie River Trout Fishing Adventure

With a High of 78 degrees we had absolutely perfect temperatures for yesterday’s McKenzie River fishing adventure.

       Ron & Ayden with a Double on

Though a great temperature for our comfort, other than midges, there were very few bugs out.  Right after launch, I handed young Ayden a spinning rod to keep him occupied while I set up some fly rods.  Within minutes, he was fast into a feisty Rainbow, a scenario that would repeat itself continually throughout the day.  Though fishing wasn’t “Red Hot,” in every hole or riffle, it was relatively consistent, as we seemed to hook fish in about every second or third spot we tried.  I would safely rate the fishing as very good indeed.  Ayden and his pop Ron, were out here from Virginia visiting friends and they love to incorporate a McKenzie River drift or two on such occasions.  They have great stories from previous    trips including the loss of a steelhead to an Osprey.  Yesterday we spent a good 45 minutes working a very productive stretch where a Bald Eagle was perched directly across from the boat.  We hit numerous fish there and were closely monitored by the vigilant Eagle.  We were sure that at any moment he would swoop down and nail our quarry.  This was apparently a very polite Eagle as no such event materialized.

        Ayden with a McKenzie River “Fattie”

Over the course of the trip, Ron & Ayden enjoyed 2 doubles and conservatively hooked about 30 fish, approximately 20 of which made it to the net.  The numbers allowed them to be somewhat selective as to which of these hatchery trout would eventually make it to their dinner table.  Though we were never able to stir up much in the way fly action, Ayden was quite pleased with the effectiveness of a variety of lures.  Indeed his casting progressed nicely through the day reflecting his attention to detail.  Most of the fish were high quality hatchery Bows in the 9-12 inch range.  Much to young Ayden’s delight however,  several of these planter fish were fat chunkers pushing the 17 inch mark.  Ayden especially enjoyed the rapids of the upper river.  Certainly a day to remember.