| "I'll work hard . . . you catch fish" |
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Fly fishing on the Mckenzie River
The Mckenzie River rises near the Three Sisters in the high
Cascades Mountain Range. It's official source, Clear Lake
is formed by a ancient lava flow that dammed the river. The
volcanic nature of the area is the cause of the Mckenzie's
exceptional water quality-the groundwater springs that feed
the river percolate through basalt before reaching the
surface. The Mckenzie is cold and clear providing
exceptional, consistent hatches beginning in the spring that
don't taper off until early November.
The Mckenzie can be thought of as four rivers each with its
own distinct character. The upper river, above Forest Glen
Boat Landing is high gradient, technical water. Wild
rainbows, known locally as "redsides" take refuge from the
swift current behind boulders and in seams. This section of
the river is not stocked and the wild trout are beautiful and
as powerful as the river itself. This upper section is also
home to one of Oregon's healthiest populations of bull trout
as well as one of only two viable, self-sustaining wild runs of
spring chinook in the Willamette basin. Cutthroat trout are
also present in lesser numbers.
Below Forest Glen Landing, the gradient lessens and the
rowing is less technical though boulder gardens remain
plentiful. Hatchery trout are abundant and it is not
uncommon to catch between 30-50 trout in a day. Wild trout
are less common in this reach though catches of redsides to
18 inches are sometimes made.
From Leaburg dam to Hendricks Bridge the river again
slows its rate of descent. This section of the river is also
stocked with hatchery trout as well as hatchery steelhead
and spring chinook. Wild trout are also present.
Below Hendrick's Bridge the river is on the valley floor. The
boulder gardens and swift water of the upper river are a
distant memory and the river meanders through its
floodplain. In this reach, we fish the gravel bars where they
drop into deep pools. The Mckenzie is not stocked in this
section and some of the rivers largest trout call this area
home. Redsides over twenty inches have been taken
though most are smaller. Cutthroat trout are also abundant.
The Mckenzie is not known for its huge trout most are
between 10 and 14 inches but fish to twenty inches are
caught every year. The river offers a chance to catch large
numbers of trout for anglers of all ability levels and there
always is a chance for the trout of a lifetime!
The Mckenzie River rises near the Three Sisters in the high
Cascades Mountain Range. It's official source, Clear Lake
is formed by a ancient lava flow that dammed the river. The
volcanic nature of the area is the cause of the Mckenzie's
exceptional water quality-the groundwater springs that feed
the river percolate through basalt before reaching the
surface. The Mckenzie is cold and clear providing
exceptional, consistent hatches beginning in the spring that
don't taper off until early November.
The Mckenzie can be thought of as four rivers each with its
own distinct character. The upper river, above Forest Glen
Boat Landing is high gradient, technical water. Wild
rainbows, known locally as "redsides" take refuge from the
swift current behind boulders and in seams. This section of
the river is not stocked and the wild trout are beautiful and
as powerful as the river itself. This upper section is also
home to one of Oregon's healthiest populations of bull trout
as well as one of only two viable, self-sustaining wild runs of
spring chinook in the Willamette basin. Cutthroat trout are
also present in lesser numbers.
Below Forest Glen Landing, the gradient lessens and the
rowing is less technical though boulder gardens remain
plentiful. Hatchery trout are abundant and it is not
uncommon to catch between 30-50 trout in a day. Wild trout
are less common in this reach though catches of redsides to
18 inches are sometimes made.
From Leaburg dam to Hendricks Bridge the river again
slows its rate of descent. This section of the river is also
stocked with hatchery trout as well as hatchery steelhead
and spring chinook. Wild trout are also present.
Below Hendrick's Bridge the river is on the valley floor. The
boulder gardens and swift water of the upper river are a
distant memory and the river meanders through its
floodplain. In this reach, we fish the gravel bars where they
drop into deep pools. The Mckenzie is not stocked in this
section and some of the rivers largest trout call this area
home. Redsides over twenty inches have been taken
though most are smaller. Cutthroat trout are also abundant.
The Mckenzie is not known for its huge trout most are
between 10 and 14 inches but fish to twenty inches are
caught every year. The river offers a chance to catch large
numbers of trout for anglers of all ability levels and there
always is a chance for the trout of a lifetime!
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Mckenzie River One Day Float Trip
All of our guided trips utilize the Mckenize river driftboat.
These boats are nimble and responsive allowing anglers to
effectively fish miles of river in a single day. Full day trips
launch around 9:00 am and take out is between 5:00-6:00.
If you want to hit the evening hatch, let us know! Lunch is
provided and we take pride in our food. Half day trips
usually launch at 1:00 pm. Snacks and water are provided.
From the swift wild trout water of the upper river to the
mellow river on the valley floor, expert or beginner, we
have the perfect Mckenzie trip for you!
These boats are nimble and responsive allowing anglers to
effectively fish miles of river in a single day. Full day trips
launch around 9:00 am and take out is between 5:00-6:00.
If you want to hit the evening hatch, let us know! Lunch is
provided and we take pride in our food. Half day trips
usually launch at 1:00 pm. Snacks and water are provided.
From the swift wild trout water of the upper river to the
mellow river on the valley floor, expert or beginner, we
have the perfect Mckenzie trip for you!
(541) 915-2411
onemuleteam@yahoo.com
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Rates
Cost is $350.00 for a full
day per boat. A half day is
$275.00 per boat. Ask
about our Trout Unlimited
member discount!
Cost is $350.00 for a full
day per boat. A half day is
$275.00 per boat. Ask
about our Trout Unlimited
member discount!
Contact One Mule Team
Karl Mueller
501 Cascade Dr.
Springfield, OR 97478
(541)915-2411
onemuleteam@yahoo.com
Karl Mueller
501 Cascade Dr.
Springfield, OR 97478
(541)915-2411
onemuleteam@yahoo.com
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| Conservation |
Karl Mueller's One Mule Team Guide Service is committed to the preservation and enhancement of Oregon's
native, indigenous and self-sustaining coldwater fish and fisheries. Karl Mueller is President and founding
member of the Oregon Native Fish Guides Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing reliance
on hatcheries for the provision of Oregon's recreational fisheries particularly in areas with healthy wild
populations. One Mule Team is a member of the Mckenzie River Native Trout Coalition, a group whose aim is to
reduce or eliminate the hatchery trout program on the Mckenzie River that is having a substantial adverse effect
on wild trout populations in 35 miles of the Mckenzie. Karl Mueller is Conservation Chair of the Mckenzie-Upper
Willamette Chapter of Trout Unlimited and serves as Oregon's Representative to the National Leadership
Council of Trout Unlimited.
native, indigenous and self-sustaining coldwater fish and fisheries. Karl Mueller is President and founding
member of the Oregon Native Fish Guides Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing reliance
on hatcheries for the provision of Oregon's recreational fisheries particularly in areas with healthy wild
populations. One Mule Team is a member of the Mckenzie River Native Trout Coalition, a group whose aim is to
reduce or eliminate the hatchery trout program on the Mckenzie River that is having a substantial adverse effect
on wild trout populations in 35 miles of the Mckenzie. Karl Mueller is Conservation Chair of the Mckenzie-Upper
Willamette Chapter of Trout Unlimited and serves as Oregon's Representative to the National Leadership
Council of Trout Unlimited.
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| Permits and Licensing |
Karl Mueller's One Mule Team Guide Service is an Oregon licensed Guide and Outfitter operating under a
special use permit with the Willamette National Forest and is an equal opportunity outdoor recreation service
provider.
special use permit with the Willamette National Forest and is an equal opportunity outdoor recreation service
provider.
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Trips
Middle Fork Willamette
Mckenzie River
Winter Steelhead
Fall Salmon
Full or half day flyfishing
Full or half day flyfishing
Full days, flies and gear
Full days, flies and gear