The recent stretch of dry weather and low water conditions on the lower McKenzie enticed Fred and me into a float yesterday in search of some Mid-Winter Redsides.  The scene was austere:  cold water, grey skies broken occasionally by sun, lone red tail hawks, kingfishers, and herons winging silently overhead.

A sparse blue-winged olive emergence did little to excite the trout, but nymphing with larger offerings consistently brought some excellent rainbows to hand.

The 2013 trout season is quietly getting underway.  Don’t forget about the Two Dudes Spring McKenzie Special:  $275 for 1-2 anglers from now through April 20, 2013.  Let’s shake the dust off that trout rod.  

During a recent mutli-week visit to the US, two of the top Taimen Fly Fishing Guides in the world took a few days to visit Eugene and the Oregon Coast. Bayaraa Bataar, Ganaa Enbenesh and I were joined by High Desert Drifter and 2008 Taimen Camp alumna, Jeff Coughenhour for a mission into the wilds of the Oregon Coast Range. The weather was perfect, the steelhead fishing was slow (not unlike Taimen Fishing), and the trip was a roaring success. Here are a few images from the adventure.

The “second season” for winter steelhead is now in swing.

Warming water temps and longer days are in store in the coming weeks. The steelhead are in and more are coming. Tight Lines!