Just returned from fishing the Rogue River (and other
places) so thought I'd throw this info in for the
person who is going there soon.(can't remember name).
Yeah, I'm the same guy who was going to BC around
Kamloops for a weeks fishing (until my partner decided
that we should go to Southern Oregon to "do" Crater
Lake and meet some relation from Calif.). So quick
change in plans!!
Fished at Casey State Day-Use Park (no fee) upstream
of Shady Cove, Or. While I was "gearing up' about 8:00
AM, I watched a local land a 2# and a 4-5# rainbow
(steelhead? Remember, this is the land of the famous
"half-pounders" which are 16-19 in. long). He also
lost several other nice fish!. Literally almost a fish
a cast for a while!! He was using a small Prince nymph
on the point and a weighted Ugly Bug on the dropper
(the Prince nymph was catching them). No addn. weight
allowed on leader or line. Was using an indicator (I
don't like those things!) 9' up on a 9' leader with
floating line. Said that he had caught fish up to 10#
like that in this run (beautiful run!). He was fishing
57 1/2 feet downstream of the concrete launching ramp
in the park (I'm kidding about the 1/2 foot but not
the 57 feet).How is that for exact info.!!!! Upstream
cast and let it dead drift. Most takes at end of
drift. I didn't do as well but did get some nice fish
(and several hard pulls and short runs before LDR-Buck
Fever!!) and a lot of small fish.
Fished the "Holy Water' (tailwater fishing) below the
Coles dam (just upstream from Casey Park).It is about
1/2 mile long.
Nice water! Average trout is 16 inches but they
supposedly are up to six pounds. My preference is to
drive across the weir to the East/South side and park
in a day-use park (Rivers Edge Park-no fee) (nice;
restrooms and picnic area) and hike upriver about a
1/4 mile to the upper boundary just below the dam.
This is the "inside-of -the-bend" side. You can also
park along the road and fish the opposite bank Didn't
do very well; fished from 9:30AM to 12:30PM. Didn't
seem to be any hatches coming off except a few caddis.
For the "Holy Water" (per Scott Richmond in his book
"Fishing In Oregon's Best Fly Water"): "Caddis-May
through July and again in Sept. and Oct. Size 16 and
18. Leech patterns work well in July and August. Use
sinking line. Fish close to shore. Go light (12'leader
to 5x or 6x) and don't forget the lower end of the
water if the upper end is crowded (there was no one
else there when I fished there: big crowd is during
the awesome Salmonfly hatch late May through
mid-June).
Fished the stretch above the upper end of the Rogue
Elk Johnson County Park which is downstream of Casey
Park (access and parking $3.00 fee). Drive to upper
end to park and then walk upstream for deeper water;
shallow-water riffle extends most of the way
downstream in front of the park and didn't seem to be
good fishing water. Caught several small fish on a
small black nymph dead drifted WITHOUT an indicator (I
don't like those things but they can be deadly!).There
were a few kings in the river splashing now and then.
I also fished in the Shady Trails RV Park in Shady
Cove, OR where we were staying and caught several nice
fish just roll casting from the launch ramp and a
little floating dock they have. The park owner is a
fishing guide but I didn't talk to him.
Was told that the salmon and steelhead fishing will
start improving in the next two weeks (whatever that
means).
Seems like a floating and a sinking line (for leeches)
and long, light leaders and tippets are the ticket.
The Rogue river in this area is a very pleasant river
to fish; reminds one of the N.F. Stilly for size and
configuration.
There are lots of floaters in rubber rafts and a few
drift boats but most everyone is as considerate as
possible
Well, I hope that this helps. Email me directly if you
have any questions.
John Townsell
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