ROGUE RIVER
OREGON FLY FISHING
Species: Spring and Fall Chinook Salmon, Winter and Summer Steelhead, Sea Run Cutthroat Trout, and Rainbows Trout
Fishing Season: Year Round
Peak Seasons: Spring Chinook mid-May to July; Fall Chinook August to September; Winter Steelhead February to April; Summer Steelhead July to December; Trout: April to October
Rates: $425 per boat/day (2 people per boat)
Method: Trout: Dries, nymphing, and swinging flies; Steelhead: Nymphing, swinging and skating flies
Hatches: BWO, march brown, caddis, salmon flies, golden stones, PMD, and midges
One of the better-known rivers in Southern Oregon, the Rogue River boasts healthy numbers of wild and hatchery steelhead, cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. Chinook salmon run in both spring and fall. The Rogue River is about 215 miles long from its headwaters near Crater Lake National Park to its mouth, which meets the sea in Gold Beach, Oregon. The Rogue River has long lazy stretches mixed with heart pounding stretches of up to class IV whitewater. Most of the fishing offered through Running Y Ranch takes place in what we consider the Upper Section of the Rogue River, about 2.5 hours from the ocean and an hour from Crater Lake National Park. All trips are day trips and most fishing is done from a drift boat or fly-fishing raft. Some wading is available. Your guide will let you know what the best opportunities are along the way.
The Rogue River offers fishing opportunities nearly year-round and with a variety of techniques. We fly fish primarily, but gear-fishing trips are available too. For more information on gear trips visit our salmon and steelhead pages.
Trout Fishing
Dry fly fishing for rainbow and cutthroat trout on the upper stretches of the Rogue is very rewarding. Trout range from 10 to 26 inches. You can fish from the boat and wade in spots. A 4-weight rod works great for casting a variety of top water flies. In general you can catch fish on the Rogue River all day long…if you can manage not to pull your fly away when you see these hungry fish come to take your fly.
Steelhead Fishing
Summer steelhead fishing on the Rogue River is pretty consistent from late July through November. Summer steelhead range from 3 to 8 pounds and occasionally we land a whopper weighing up to 12 pounds. Skating, nymphing and swinging flies are all common methods. Steelhead are of course known as the fish of a thousand casts. Don’t be discouraged. Steelhead are well worth the effort—great fighters and great fun once they take your fly.
Salmon Fishing
Most of our guests don’t fly fish for salmon but it can be done. You’ll need a healthy cast, a stellar presentation and an 8 to 10 weight rod. Be prepared to put your time in and then be very ready for some line management.
