Winter steelhead have arrived in the Upper Rogue River and neighboring rivers, like the South Umpqua and the Applegate.  This past week, we have been catching winter steelhead in the Shady Cove run and the Dodge to Touvelle stretch on the Upper Rogue just outside of Medford and on the South Umpqua River from Tiller to Mrytle Creek near Canyonville.  

This is a good early start for winter steelhead and currently most guides are focusing their time fishing the Umpqua River.  On the days we aren't fishing the Umpqua, we have been fishing the Upper Rogue and have had some great days hooking into multiple fish with few other boats around.  

For those wanting to fish the South Umpqua for winters, now is the time. It's busier than the Rogue right now with guides, but for good reason, since it's producing plentiful good sized fish, including a good run of hatchery keepers.  

For those wanting to fish the Upper Rogue, it's currently a quiet float and we have found fresh hard fighting steelhead throughout the upper stretch.  The Rogue also offers more opportunities to fish in winter conditions since the dam keeps river levels at a consistent and predictable level.  It is almost always fishable.

This is also a  good time of year for steelhead fishing on the Applegate River for those who like to wade. This past week we have gone on a few exploratory runs in the raft on this beautiful stretch of river. 

Winter steelhead fishing on the rivers of Southern Oregon will continue to improve through spring until the 1st spring salmon arrive in the Upper Rogue mid May.