Oregon Fly Fishing Report – Small Stream Outfitters & Guides

Each Summer, when the days are long, the grasses are tall and the creeks gurgle low and clear I am tugged by the childhood memory of fly fishing Coastal Cutthroats. These wiry, stunningly beautiful native trout were the object of my budding passion for fly fishing nearly 30 years ago. Since then, my desire to catch fish on a fly has taken me all over world to chase dozens of finned species. Yet, each Summer fishing season is not complete without of few days of chasing colorful, acrobatic cutts on small creeks and streams deep within the Oregon Coast Range.

Although the traditional coastal trout opener was memorial day weekend we delayed our pursuit of cutthroats until late June, due to the high river levels throughout Western Oregon. It was worth the wait. In our first few Cutthroat trips we’ve found overly eager (borderline kamikaze) fish that are a full 1″-2″ bigger on average than past seasons. Water temperatures are still cool for July (in the low 50’s) + good flows = great conditions. We’ve fished dries almost exclusively and have tempted even the biggest fish to rocket off the bottom of pools, runs and riffles to attack our flies.

Cutthroats are currently averaging 8″-15″ and anglers can expect to hook 20-40 fish in a day. With properly matched light gear (3-4 wt.) these fish are pure fun that will leave you smiling and wanting more. To book a guided fly fishing trip this Summer or Fall contact Small Stream Outfitters at 503.515.3533 or Email Us.

PS. Don’t forget, Less than 2 months before the first Sea-Run Cutts return! Book early for this outstanding fishery!

This nice 13″ Coastal Cuttroat trout fell to a #8 Royal Stimulator.

A true cutthroat classic, this solid cutthroat took a #10 Royal Wulff.

It’s been another great week on the coast! We’ve had some incredible weather this past week that was extremely pleasant for anglers, but makes guides wish there were a few more clouds around. Still, the early morning bite was great and there were some fantastic fish taken in shady spots throughout the warm, sunny afternoons. This is typical Indian Summer weather on the Oregon Coast and we’ll take advantage of the few remaining opportunities to guide in shorts and tee shirts.

The Chinook bite slowed this week and emergency ODFW sportfish regulations on the South Coast make us worry the Chinook run will be another bust this year. However, there are still fish to be caught and the patient, dedicated anglers will get their fish. The one bonus to the buzz of less Chinook this Fall has driven other anglers away and we’ve had the river mostly to ourselves. It’s a great feeling to have a day’s float to yourself, quiet and peaceful, casting flies to eager cutthroat.

The sea-run fishing continues to be great and there are more fish in the river everyday. The average size of the fish is also increasing as it usually does this time of year. We’ve seen some huge fish in tidewater of 3+ pounds, but thus far the monsters on fly have eluded us. Anglers this week saw consistent 20 fish days and fish ranging from 9-17 inches. We can’t wait to get back on the water and continue to enjoy the great action. To book a guided fishing trip give us a call at 503.515.3533 or Email Us. We are currently fishing the Siletz, Nestucca and Sandy. Below are just a few snapshots from trips this week.

A beautiful cutthroat from the Siletz, colored up from hanging out in tidewater

Alan took this and many other great sea-run cutts on a crystal blue sky day

Sunrise over tidewater, it never ceases to amaze us.

The recent labor day storm system was a bummer to many campers and recreation enthusiasts, looking to get in one last outing before the school year started. For Small Stream Outfitters and many other fishermen it was a blessing. We had great fishing over the weekend for Chinook, Coho and Sea-run Cutthroat both on the coast and in the Willamette Valley. The early trickle of fish has now turned into solid numbers and it’s time to get in on the action. Give us a call at 503.515.3533 or Email Us to book a fishing trip for Coho, Chinook, and/or Sea-run Cutthroats (blueback). Many of these species are available in the same section of river. We are currently fishing the Siletz, Nestucca and Sandy. Below is just a small selection of the finned creatures we’ve run into in the last week.

A nice Fall Chinook from the Sandy, we’ve run into a lot of these fishing for Coho. We don’t mind a bit.

Rich Youngers of Creekside Fly Shop in Salem took this beautiful little cutt on Monday

When you see a harbor seal in upper tidewater, you know there are more than a few salmon around.

Hi Anglers,

The Fall fishing season is nearly upon us. It’s that time of year when fishing opportunities abound around the state. As the days get shorter, the leaves begin to change color and the first rains arrive, rivers and streams in the area cool off and the fishing gets red hot!

We’ll begin targeting the first to arrive of the Fall fish, the Sea-run cutthroat (Blueback Trout) on the coast next week and then progress into Coastal Fall Chinook, Coastal Coho and Willamette Valley Coho in the coming weeks. We generally begin having good salmon fishing by September 15 that will often last until the 1st or 2nd week of December on various streams and rivers.

The buzz among anglers this year is of a record coho run. Based on the number of coho jacks present last year as well as adults that prediction may very well come true. Even if the run is half of what scientists are predicting we’re going to have a great run of coho on rivers like the N. Fork Nehalem, Nestucca, Siletz, some coastal creeks and especially the Sandy! Last year the Sandy fished the best of all Coho fisheries and we look forward to many more days of bent rods this fall.

We expect sea-run cutthroat fishing this year to remain consistently good as it has for the past several years. 20 fish days are very common for trout ranging from 10-18 inches. They readily take swung and skated flies and are spectacular sport on 4wt fly rods.

The Coastal Chinook run will probably be the weakest of the three fisheries as it has been for the last 2 seasons. However, we expect a slightly better run than last year, but still not up to historical averages. We keep a close eye on the strength of the run and keep our anglers posted on chances to land one of these massive fish.

It looks to be another great Fall and we’re all set for the action to come. To inquire about a Guided Salmon or Cutthroat Trout trip with Small Stream Outfitters please call us at 503.515.3533 or Email Us!

Tight lines,
The Small Stream Outfitters Guide Staff

We entered this Chinook season with great apprehension. As everyone knows last year’s coastal Fall chinook run was a bust. It could even be described as dreadful. The talk around the fly tying vise was for improved ocean conditions for the fish this year and increased numbers of Fall Chinook. But talk is just that… talk. Until we saw for our own eyes decent numbers of fish we were not about to sell a fishery that fell fall short of expectations last year. The talk is over!

We started see big pods of fish in tidewater on September 8 and numbers of fish appear to be increasing every day. We landed two stunningly chrome, small bucks yesterday and saw lots more big bodied chinook. We breathed a hugh sigh of relief this week and are now excited to chase King Salmon chrome for the rest of the season.

Blue back (harvest trout, sea-run cutthroat) fishing continues to be excellent. Fish are ranging from 10-17″ with lots of fish in the 14-15″ range. These are great trout on light fly rods and together with a chance at a chrome chinook you just can’t go wrong.

Give us a call at 503.515.3533 to get in on the action!