As fall approaches we are often focused on the many chores necessary to prepare for the winter. Still, it is one of the most diverse times of the year for fishermen in terms of options. Here locally on the Mckenzie River, we still have plenty of trout action. As the weather cools, the native "Redside Trout" gets a lot more aggressive and becomes a significant part of the catch while dead-drifting dries on the surface. Larger specimens are great sport and will often take you right into the backing on lighter fly gear. Also summer steelhead become more aggressive and are found here locally on the McKenzie, the Middle Fork Willamette and in the Santiam system. Swinging bunny leaches, skunks and many traditional patterns will produce some vicious grabs this time of year. I enjoy chasing these fish with a fly rod this time of year particularly because so much of the river pressure is down as folks are focusing on fall salmon runs over on the coast.