Second Annual McKenzie River Two-Fly Tournament

The second annual McKenzie River Two-Fly, which benefits native fish habitat restoration on the McKenzie River — and in particular habitat for spring chinook and cutthroat trout — will happen this year on October 9 and 10 in Eugene, Oregon.
“Festivities begin Friday night, October 9th at the Oregon Electric Station in Eugene for beer, wine and appetizers, and a presentation by Oregon State University fisheries biologist Stan Gregory on the significance of the habitat restoration taking place on McKenzie River Trust’s Green Island property.”
Read the extended entry for the full press release and more details.

Second annual McKenzie River Two-Fly Tournament: October 9-10, 2009
EUGENE, OR — The second annual McKenzie River Two-Fly tournament takes place October 9-10, 2009. The event is put on by the McKenzie-Upper Willamette chapter of Trout Unlimited and The Caddis Fly Angling shop.
Teams of two anglers will compete for thousands of dollars in prizes, fishing from McKenzie drift boats rowed by expert guides. This fun competition restricts anglers to fish with only two flies for the entire day, during some of the McKenzie River’s best fishing of the year.
The Cause: Native fish habitat restoration on the McKenzie River
Last year’s inaugural event raised $2500 to restore native coldwater fish habitat at McKenzie River Trust’s Green Island property on the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers. The funds helped reconnect an historic side-channel to the river, increasing habitat for Spring Chinook and Cutthroat Trout in the winter, and decreasing habitat for non-native, predatory fish in the summer.
This year’s funds will also be directed to McKenzie River Trust. The project this year will be the removal of a levee and road along a side-channel in the north portion of the property. The structure was built in the 70’s and restricts natural floodplain activity during flood events.
The side channel along this levee has been identified as having much colder water than the mainstem river, and during the summer months this habitat is home to 100% native coldwater fish species.
“The McKenzie River Trust is proud to work with the McKenzie-Upper Willamette Chapter of TU to restore critical floodplain habitat on Green Island,” said Chris Vogel, Green Island Project Manager for the Trust. “The Chapter is a great partner of our work, providing us with the proceeds of the Tournament, sponsoring important educational events and even doing hands-on restoration work on Green Island by helping us plant native trees and shrubs,” said Vogel.
Event details: How does a two-fly tournament work?
Festivities begin Friday night, October 9th at the Oregon Electric Station in Eugene for beer, wine and appetizers, and a presentation by Oregon State University fisheries biologist Stan Gregory on the significance of the habitat restoration taking place on McKenzie River Trust’s Green Island property.
Participants will draw guides that night, pulling names from a hat.
Saturday morning fishing begins, anglers pick two flies at the start of the day which are photographed. If anglers lose their two flies they no longer participate in the tournament, but can fish for fun the rest of the day. Teams of two compete for the three largest fish, measured against official ODFW-standard rulers and photographed with digital cameras in the measuring device.
The awards banquet is held immediately following the fishing.
Tournament prizes
First prize: Angler’s from the winning team will pick up a new top-end trout outfit from Sage and Rio. Angler’s can choose from three-, four- or five-weight rods, including Sage Z-axis or Sage ZXL. Anglers can choose from the Sage Click reel or one of the 4000 series. The winning outfit will also come with fly line from Rio.
The second place team wins a guided fishing trip with TU’s own Karl Mueller.
Third prize is an excellent selection of fly fishing books from Angler’s Book Supply, including a signed copy of John Larison’s new Oregon fly fishing novel, Northwest of Normal, Dan Callaghan’s North Umpqua photography book, a signed copy of Randall Kaufmann’s comprehensive fly pattern recipe book and the McKenzie River Creel.
Entrance fee is $300 per person, including a full day’s fishing, two meals and a shirt.
The event is limited to ten boats, 20 participants. Anglers can enter as a team of two. Individual anglers will be paired up with a teammate. First come first served.
We’d like to thank our sponsors: The Caddis Fly Shop, Ninkasi Brewing, Sage, Rio and Angler’s Book Supply and www.OregonFlyFishingBlog.com.
Call the Caddis Fly Shop for more info or to reserve your spot on the tournament: 541-342-7005.
Press or sponsorship inquiries, please contact Matt Stansberry, Trout Unlimited Chapter 678: [email protected].