Rogue River Report

[Navigator]

Got back from my annual trip on the Rogue River. I tie into a group from work and get the open seat for a day of floating and fishing. I always appreciate the person on the sticks - they really do the "fishing" - my job is to just make the cast and set the hook. Each fish is a team effort.

Floated Dodge Bridge to Tou Velle on day 1, Shady Cove to Dodge Bridge on day 2, then Shady Cove to Tekelma on day 3. Beautiful fall days - gotta love the upper Rogue this time of year.

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/ATT00025.jpg

I stuck to the one a day plan - landing a native steelhead each day :). Overall, I was 3 for 7 for the trip on steelhead and 2 for 4 on trout - including a beautiful native 14" rainbow. Dead drift double fly presentation - Otis type bug on the lead fly followed by a small nymph - pheasant tail, prince or some variation. Split the difference on hook-ups on big versus little fly. Speaking of Otis (Otis Swisher) - the legend was on the river at the helm rowing a drift boat at 84 with the excitement of a 10 year old each trip. He enjoys the trout on a 3 weight - so I guess at the prime of life, experience reveals that finesse and quality trout fishing overrule yarding in steelhead with heavier rods and larger flies.

Tough fishing due to cold water releases to keep water temperatures down for the Chinook spawn. Usually the bite would come on in afternoon - Saturday was the only day when things started to heat up regarding takes and hook-ups. All of my fish were in that 23-24" range:

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/Rogue_Summer_Steelhead.jpg

Can't help but feel fortunate to have this type of opportunity - right in our own back yard.

Jim.

[AndyK]

I floated Shadey Cove to Dodge Bridge last year (in late September). It was great, but a little early for many steelhead. Lot's of eager trout though.

Thanks for the report; sounds like a great trip.

[Mokai]

That sounds great...I have been thinking about doing a multi-day river trip for a while now..

[etacada]

sounds like fun! thanks for the report. How difficult is the water up there to boat? any technical sections?

thanks again for the report:)

cb

[Navigator]

Etacada:

The section from Shady Cove to Dodge is not too technical - can be skinny water and there are some bumps, sweepers to avoid - a good section to learn if you have someone in the boat to read the runs and direct you. Dodge to Tou Velle has Rattlesnake rapids - which do not look like much but can be big trouble for a drift boat in low water because of all the rocks and you have one shot to read the run and thread the needle so to speak. Pontoon boats can be a bit more forgiving in this regard.