Since the Spring rains tapered off in late June, we’ve had a long run of dry weather. With the Cedar Creek Fire continuing to pump smoke into our region, we’ve been fairly fortunate that the airflow has mostly spared the upper McKenzie Valley. Now half way through the first October without precipitation that anyone can remember, we are again dusting off our rain dancing shoes.

In spite of the persistent dry and occasionally smoky conditions, we’ve enjoyed steady good fishing for trout and even a few steelhead now and then. As we hope for rain to douse the fire, swell the salmon rivers, and wash away the dust of late summer, here’s a look back at some of the moments that keep the spirits aligned.