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This winter's snowpack has increased flows on the Rogue River. As of today it is 2700 cubic feet per second. Our spring Chinook love these higher flows and it shows in their early return. The salmon count at Cole Rivers Hatchery as of May 24, 2023 was 744.
Salmon fishing in the early season tends to be best near the town of Shady Cove just north of Medford. During this time guides have two main techniques they use to catch spring Chinook. The 1st is fairly simple and great for beginners, running bait wrapped plugs, but even though easy to learn does not lack for excitement when a salmon takes the bait. Our 2nd technique is a bit more advanced, back bouncing roe and sand shrimp, requiring a light touch and a powerful hook set.
The Rogue River is lucky to have both hatchery and wild king salmon, with hatchery Chinook making up the bulk of the early return and wild salmon returning later in the season. Prior to July 1st you may keep hatchery kings and if you are looking for the best salmon you've ever eaten to take home for dinner, early season is your best bet. If you're looking to fill your freezer, July is the month for you since after the 1st you may keep wild and hatchery salmon below Dodge Bridge located near the towns of Eagle Point/Shady Cove.
In addition to the mighty Rogue River salmon we are also looking forward to the arrival of our summer steelhead (we already have 2 in the hatchery). Nothing beats a salmon steelhead combo trip, hitting salmon hard early in the day and then relaxing a bit targeting steelhead during the later half of the trip. Combo trips are popular during July and August.
