CREATING A STRONG ECONOMY
Your Guide to Fishing the Rogue River YOUR GUIDE TO FISHING THE ROGUE RIVER
Medford, OR | September 16, 2022/16/2022 | Travel Medford
‘The fish bite early’ I justified to myself over a cup of coffee one chilly morning. The clock read 4:00 a.m. and my body felt strained, but my heart was there. I’d heard stories of the fishing out on the Rogue River many times but I hadn’t yet found the chance to chase the famous salmon run myself. As I rolled up to the boat ramp just past Shady Cove, fog still fresh in the air, I knew my fortune was about to change.
training-grounds to snag a huge salmon or steelhead trout. Today you can hire a guide to take you out on the river, show you the ropes, and hopefully help you bag your very own fish! Rogue Valley Anglers lead guided tours out of their fly shop in downtown Medford, or you can find a list of guides online using google. All you need to bring are the essentials for a day outing (lunch, layers, etc.) and most importantly a valid ODFW License which you can acquire at Blackbird or other general department stores in Medford like Walmart or Fred Meyer. YOUR GUIDED ADVENTURE One chilly morning in Spring I found myself with guide Brandon Hiatt of Far West Sporting Adventures . We set off on a shiny, aluminum drift boat on the hunt for ‘Springers’ (spring chinook salmon). Brandon started by coaching me through the technique of ‘bouncing’ my bait. It works with a weight attached to the line that makes a sort of ‘thud’ when coming into contact with a rocky riverbed - once you feel it touch the bottom you lift “It’s not all about catching a fish - it’s about connecting to the river and the people we share it with.”
Few things speak to the rich history of the Rogue River more than fishing. The Takelma and other Native American tribes of the region thrived off the great salmon runs of the past and early pioneers likewise recognized the abundance of the region’s fisheries . Over time the Rogue has firmly established itself as a premier destination for anglers of all ages and skill - the perfect
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