fishingtherogue.jpg)
fishingtherogue.jpg)
fishingtherogue.jpg)
fishingtherogue.jpg)
fishingtherogue.jpg)
fishingtherogue.jpg)
Fishing the last few weeks on the South Umpqua has really picked up. While the variable weather has made it challenging to plan trips, on the days we are able to get out, the fishing has been good to great. The 1st few weeks fishing the South were really busy with everyone anxious to get their 1st winter steeelhead of the season, but in the last week things have really mellowed. With fewer anglers, boats and guides it makes it easier to spend more time in the best holes which directly correlates to better catch rates. It appears that some larger fish have moved upstream. Our last few trips we have landed several steelhead in their teens and one chrome bright winter fish weighed in at 16.3 lbs (check out the pics above). With low and clear conditions the fishing has been best from Lawson to Round Prairie, but with the recent rain we should be fishing back upstream near Tiller and Pickett soon. Most of our fish has been caught side drifting pegged corkies.
If hatchery fish are what you're looking for try to time your trip right after a storm. After rain a fresh push of fish migrate upstream and hatchery fish are caught and kept quickly. There are plenty of powerful natives too.
The next few weeks should be the peak of the season on the South.
Winter steelhead fishing on the Applegate River and the Rogue slowed down last week due to low and clear water, but with the recent storms, all rivers are on the rise today. This flush of water should bring more steelhead upstream and as fishing begins to slow on the Umpqua in March, winter steelhead fishing on the Upper Rogue should be coming into full swing.
