RFGS Newsletter - Spring/Summer - 2010

Dear Friends, Fishermen & Guests,

As fruit trees blossom and Daffodils &Tulips begin to adorn our local gardens, it is clear that spring is indeed upon us, perhaps a tad early this year. Thoughts of the outdoors, barbeques, and summer vacation plans begin to materialize. Clearly, it is none too early to plan a spring or summer fishing adventure down one Oregon’s majestic and pristine rivers. For 21 years now, I have had the privilege of living alongside the McKenzie River, one of Oregon’s precious gems. During late spring and early summer I focus my guiding activities specifically on the McKenzie and several other local tributaries in the Willamette system.

After two successive years of below average salmon returns, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is forecasting a bumper run of Spring Chinook salmon to return to the McKenzie and the entire Willamette system in 2010. ODFW is in fact predicting a run that will way more than double the total number of salmon which returned last year. Other fisheries professionals and academics are not only in agreement that this year‘s run will be much stronger, but some have even hinted at a potential record run. Regardless of specifics, the news is fantastic and to top it off, the 2010 McKenzie and Willamette Summer Steelhead run is also projected to be very strong.

As a fishing guide, this news is wonderful and definitely worth sharing with any potential guests and clientele. It certainly should translate to plenty of hook-ups and solid action through the season. Typically, the months of June and July offer the best local opportunity for salmon and steelhead. Because the fish have begun migrating earlier than usual this year, we may well have some decent local fishing in mid to late May. The McKenzie also offers a great opportunity for summer trout fishing to complement the splendid scenery. Supplemental plantings of hatchery trout mixed in with the natives, help to insure some exciting moments on these feisty scrappers, even for a first-time fly fisher. For a group trip, I network with other qualified guides for outings requiring multiple boats.

Whether your objective is to enjoy a scenic day on the river, land your first trout on a fly, bring home a succulent Spring Chinook for the BBQ, or experience the adrenaline rush of a tail-walking McKenzie River Steelhead, Roaring Fork Guide Service will make every effort to make your wish a reality. If you have been considering a summer fishing adventure but just haven’t got around to booking a trip, the time for procrastination is over. Please, pick up the phone and give me call or just shoot me an email. Do not miss this opportunity. I have lived on this river long enough to know that excellent runs of fish do not occur annually and are indeed a blessing. After 25 years of fishing the McKenzie River, we generally tend to do quite well, even in the poor years. I therefore anticipate some phenomenal days this season! For more information please visit our website at: www.oregonfishingtrips.com

I look forward to hearing from you and hopefully seeing you soon.

John Gross - Roaring Fork Guide Service - Cell # 541-912-8899

Local fly fishermen working the McKenzie and the Black Canyon section of the Willamette Middle Fork have reported sporadic afternoon dry fly action for trout using caddis and March Brown imitations and PMDs. Numerous local lakes, ponds and reservoirs have been recently stocked with planter trout, including some bonus size 2 pounders. Visit the ODFW web site for specific information and a stocking schedule. The water temperature at Willamette Falls has breached 51 degrees. As springer fishing near Portland improves, the number of boats on the water has increased dramatically.

Salmon and steelhead fishing on Oregon's Mckenzie River and on the entire Willamette System is predicted to be outstanding this season. We did generally very well last season in a slow season. We can only imagine what it's going to be like this year!