Upper Rogue March 23-30

lamiglass drifter · 03-18-2003, 12:50 PM

I'm going camping on the upper rogue for spring break and plan on doing at least 1 drift a day from the hatchery to Rogue Elk. Just wondering what the water has been like up there, and if there are any good pridictions to how the flows will be for that week? I also want to fly fish the Holly Water, is it wade fishing only or can you put a drift boat in it?

Grantspastor · 03-18-2003, 01:22 PM

Flows from the Hatchery to the park should be fine. I suspect there are more fish down in the Grants Pass area than in the upper river...but you could do o.k.

The Holy Water is wading only. It is catch and release...artificial flies only. There are very big trout to be had...the problem is most of them HAVE been had by some of the best fishermen in southern Oregon...therefore they are not necessarily easy to catch. Try dead drifting a size 18 nymph with a strike indicator.

lamiglass drifter · 03-18-2003, 03:25 PM

thanks I'll try that. I'm fairly new to fiy fishing but i'm looking foreward to trying...I can always call back on regular gear in the river if I get skunked in the holly water.

SlimPickens · 03-18-2003, 03:33 PM

There should be a slug of fish that moved into that stretch from the last high water. Probably some of the GP fish too :smile:

Stop in at Pat's Hand Tied Flies above Rogue Elk. They will give you the latest report. Might be good to drift below Shady Cove too and its only a short drive away.

You'll catch some steelies on flies if you keep at it!!! Dead drift egg patterns.

Grantspastor · 03-23-2003, 07:04 PM

Class I and II water...no problems or difficulty between Rogue Elk and Shady Cove. Guesstimate 7-8 miles. Below Shady Cove to Dodge Bridge more class 2 water. Below Dodge Bridge probably better not to run it because of Rattlesnake Rapid

[ 03-23-2003, 08:06 PM: Message edited by: Grantspastor ]

lamiglass drifter · 03-23-2003, 11:17 PM

I haved never drifted below rogue elk. what are the drifts and how long do they take?