2019 FILE PHOTO – Fishing is foundational to the economy of the McKenzie River Valley. The pandemic presented its challenges that we are now past. Because of the fire, for decades things will look and feel different on the river. But thriving guide businesses and others coming to fish are[Read More…]
Author: FRANK ARMENDARIZ for The Chronicle
Angler’s Log: Pumping up rainbow trout
FRANK ARMENDARIZ/PHOTO – Cleawox Lake is adjacent to Honeyman State Park in western Lane County. With two wheelchair-accessible and numerous fishing access points, it is a favorite among spring breakers from the Willamette Valley. It was recently stocked with several thousand trout and the fishing was “good.” While having breakfast[Read More…]
Angler’s Log: Time to invest in the right flies; early trout season is emerging in Oregon
FRANK ARMENDARIZ/CHRONICLE PHOTO – The emergence of the March brown mayfly on the McKenzie and other rivers in the Willamette valley marks the start of the fly fishing season in western Oregon. The March brown is a hardy mayfly that prefers to emerge on cool and blustery days. It’s not[Read More…]
Angler’s Log: Marine Resources Program helps ensure quality fishing
FRANK ARMENDARIZ/PHOTO – On Lower Winchester Bay last week the bar crossing was closed to recreational boats under 24 feet. Unless you are a commercial fisherman, sport charter captain, or possibly an avid ocean recreational angler, the Marine Resources Program is not likely to be discussed at many kitchen tables. [Read More…]
Angler’s Log: Dry conditions could lead to a tough summer
FRANK ARMENDARIZ/PHOTO – Don Mike Cambra, with an Umpqua winter steelhead – one of the four that we landed last week on a morning of side drifting. This one was wild and released. At mid-winter, things are not as they should be. The dry spell that began a month ago[Read More…]
‘Wall of death’ yields fantastic Umpqua steelhead results
This season’s run of winter steelhead has been one that reminds many of us seasoned anglers of the runs from three and four decades ag –from my many friends and associates in the river-guide industry and from my own early season fishing trips that have all been on the Umpqua[Read More…]
Storms flooded waterways, but a ‘perfect weekend’ has arrived
Smith River Falls, on the Smith River, is a tributary of the Umpqua River. Still bank-to-bank with water, and carrying a fair amount of color, it had “turned over” and was falling. The Smith River and almost every other steelhead stream will fall to perfect river levels for the upcoming[Read More…]
Don’t forget to renew your permits, licenses in order for 2022
Before moving on to an improving steelhead fishing report, at the end of the year there are a couple of housekeeping issues. … Don’t forget to update your fishing license this week, and purchase a steelhead and salmon tag. And if you plan to fish for any anadromous fish, in[Read More…]
Lane County rains bring robust winter steelhead
Fishing pontoon boats are fun, and easy to row and transport. They allow access to miles of river but have safety issues consistent with any “microsized” river boat. Always wear a life jacket, share your float plan, and boat with a friend. FRANK ARMENDARIZ/CHRONICLE PHOTO Heavy rain fell last weekend,[Read More…]
The Angler’s Log: It’s already ‘game on’ at a few winter steelhead sites
Winter steelhead, “the gray ghost,” have arrived on north coast rivers. This is just the type of a run that will continue into spring. Tami Armendariz and good friend Phil Strader admire a wild Umpqua steelhead that was safely released. FRANK ARMENDARIZ/PHOTO For my readers who were expecting a story[Read More…]