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After months of fly only on the Upper Rogue River, the introduction of bait and lures have resulted in an aggressive bite and productive days of steelhead fishing. The weather has been mild, the trees have turned fall colors and our guides have found quiet, scenic sections of the river to fish. November always feels like a homecoming with many of our favorite guests returning for their annual steelhead trip.
It's amazing that these steelies started to arrive in the Upper Rogue in July, why they're called “summer” steelhead, and continue to arrive in decent numbers and in beautiful condition. Last year the run continued steadily through the end of the year.
If you're wondering when "winter" steelhead arrive on the Rogue, it's usually just as we see the end of our summer steelhead season, often as early as January and peaking in early spring.
Winter steelhead and their summer cousins differ not only in the season in which they arrive but in size and style. Winter steelhead are larger fish and stay deep and take long powerful runs. Summer steelhead are a bit smaller but have a higher fat content and are better eating fish. Summer steelhead are known for jumping out of the water in aerial like displays.
