A Day on the McKenzie River

McKenzie River Information Clear Lake Loop Trail Sahalie Falls

Located in central Oregon, the McKenzie River runs close to ninety miles from its headwaters at Clear Lake, in the Cascade Mountains, down to its meeting place with the Willamette River in the southern Willamette Valley.

The river, and the valley spread around it, form a recreation area second to none in the Western United States.

Best known as a fly fishing hot spot, the McKenzie also offers visitors numerous hiking, biking, birding and boating opportunities. The Clear Lake Loop Trail and Sahalie Falls links in the box point to further information regarding a few such opportunities.

Getting around the McKenzie River recreation area can be as easy as driving along State Highway 126, the area's main thoroughfare. Finding the best fly fishing or boating areas on the river requires the help of a river guide.

Many of the most skilled and knowledgeable McKenzie River fly fishing and boating enthusiasts belong to the McKenzie River Guides Association, an organization established in 1931.

Robin Alexander, a river guide for close to twenty years, recently escorted me on a pleasure cruise down a fourteen mile stretch of the McKenzie River.

The term pleasure cruise is no misnomer. Heading down the McKenzie in a McKenzie River Drift Boat can be equated to a Cadillac drive down the river. Even the roller coaster ride through the class III Martin's Rapids came off with nary a splash in the boat. Common Merganser, American Dippers, swallows, geese and other birds kept us company along the way.

Fly fishing enthusiasts will be happy to note that a McKenzie River Drift Boat excursion down the same stretch of river can yield a catch of up to eighty fish in a day, although stopping for lunch on the riverbank to pan fry some of the morning's catch might take away from the carry home total.

Chinook Salmon, Steelhead, Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout are among the river's popular fishing targets. The nearby fish hatchery means the river never runs out of fish.

While fly fishing excursions on the drift boat are suitable for almost everyone from age four to one hundred and four, the boat's space limitations translate into either two adults or three children per trip.

Rafting trips down the same stretch of river can accommodate a party of six, with a guarantee that the McKenzie's cold waters will cause quite a splash on a hot summer day.

Given the current stresses in the economy, a trip around the world or to any particular corner of the world, is out of reach for most people. On the other hand, a day on the McKenzie River, either rafting the rapids or fly fishing, is an affordable day of spring, fall or summer fun for everyone. With twenty years experience, Robin can also provide lodging and dining recommendations for out of town visitors.

© 2009. Patricia A. Michaels