McKenzie River Fishing

Rainbow Trout Fishing On The McKenzie

Many avid fishermen worldwide have  fishing on the McKenzie River for Rainbow Trout on their bucket list.  For over 100 years the McKenzie has been known for its Rainbow Trout / Redside Trout fishing.  These native fish are heartly fighters that take to the air when hooked and are some of the most beautiful trout you will ever see.

To make your adventure more complete hire a professional guide like Jim Martin to take you down the river in his Drift Boat.  These boats have their roots in this area and were originally called McKenzie River Drift boats.   Originally they were crafted of wood but now most are either aluminium or fibreglass composite.

Many fishermen like to fish for Rainbows with fly and in the right conditions with dry flies.   There is something nostalgic about laying out the perfect cast and watch your fly set on the top bobbing with the flow.  Then have the water erupt around your fly and then you pull back and set the hook.   The length of the fight depends on the size of the fish and the strength of the current.  A small trout of 12 inches or so can be landed in a minute or so where a large 20+ inch rainbow might take you 5 minutes or more.

Fishing for McKenzie River Rainbow Trout with conventional gear is also very productive.   We suggest using spinners and lures.  Rainbows are very aggressive when biting a lure and there is no doubt when you hook into one.  Don’t assume that you will net every trout that you hook,  these feisty fish try and throw the hook all the way to the boat.   Even when being netted these fish find a way to unbutton the hook and swim away to the moan of the fisherman.

Steelhead

McKenzie River Steelhead are basically Rainbow Trout on steroids and can grow up to 15 pounds or more with most being between 8-10 pounds. They look just like a Rainbow Trout because they are.

These fish journey too the Pacific Ocean through the Columbia River and then return every few years to spawn.  Unlike Salmon,  they do not die after spawning and will then return to the Pacific only to migrate back to the McKenzie yet again to spawn.

Steelhead can often be found in the same types of water as Rainbow trout.   It is very common to be fishing for trout and hook into one of these beautiful fish.   When this happens you will have a story to tell for the rest of your life,  whether you land the fish or not.

It is advised to use a little heavier rod and reel when fishing for Steelhead.   It is not uncommon for these fish to peel off 50 yards of line before you know it.  Like their small cousins the trout,  Steelhead also put on an arial battle with the fisherman,  making multiple jumps.  

Steelhead are amazing table fare and are some of the best fish you will ever eat.  They can be baked, grilled, fried or even smoked.   Unlike a Rainbow Trout they typically have Red meat and taste like a cross between a Salmon and a trout.

Chinook Salmon

Between the moths of April and June Chinook Salmon are also found in the McKenzie River as it is a spawning bed for thousands of Chinook Salmon each year.  Depending on the year,  the McKenzie River can be filled with these amazing fish.

The Spring run Chinook is not as big as a Fall run Chinook that you find in the Columbia but what they give up in size they make up in flavor.   These fist run from 12 lbs to 20+ lbs with most being in the 12 lb range.   Many of them are still bright fish even though they have swam over 200 miles up the Columbia and Willamette just to get to the McKenzie.

Most of the time you will find the Chinook Salmon in the deeper parts of the river where the water is running slow.   Fishing for them at the right depth is the key.  Most fishermen either use some type of bait or plug,  with many boat fishermen using a combination of plugs wrapped in bait.

When hooked Chinook Salmon tend to take the fight to the bottom of the river where they are hell bent not to be reeled up to the surface.   Dont get me wrong,  they dont just lay on the bottom when hooked,  they are stripping line doing “head shakes” and are dead set at throwing the hook.  The battles can last 15+ minutes to finally get the fish in the net.   Hooking a few of these in a day end up with some pretty tired arms.