And That Ten Pound Rogue River Steelhead Just Might Want…

…a Bead Head G.R. Hare’s Ear Nymph. Not to be forgotten. Like your Master Card, don’t leave home without one. The G.R. Hare’s Ear Nymph has caught so many steelhead for me that if I was to go to the Rogue River with just one fly, it would be a Bead Head G.R. Hare’s Ear Nymph. Under low, clear water conditions and a bright November sun this 29 inch or so Rogue River steelhead made his choice and grabbed this rather pathetic looking Hare’s Ear nymph. Makes one wonder, just how important is the bead head component to the fly? Granted it adds weight to the fly, but does it also add “a bite me” stimulus to the fish as well?

Rogue River steelhead with bead head nymph firmly implanted in the lip.

This is just the way the fly looked when I hooked the steelhead.

This nearly 30 inch steelhead was quite a handful.

Nine out of Ten Rogue River Steelhead Prefer…

Even with all the fancy fly choices you can fling out there, Rogue River steelhead like bead head Carpetbagger Stonefly Nymphs best. Maybe it is the wiggly legs? Maybe it is the hot fire color. Maybe all that real matters is that they work best! Try the Midnight Fire, Midnight Rainbow or Copper/Gold/Black chenille body, bead head “Magic Flies.”

Native Rogue River steelhead released to fight again.

The Carpetbagger Stonefly Nymph tied with the New Age Midnight Fire Chenille.

The Carpetbagger Stonefly Nymph done in Midnight Rainbow chenille. This was the original hot color.

The orange egghead Brownbagger is the pattern to use now on the upper Rogue River.

Cinnamon and White Tip Turkey Dee Wings on the Rogue River

A bright orange steelhead fly with cinnamon turkey wings set Dee style.

White tipped turkey tail wings on this Dee-style fly pattern.

Bright Orange Tippet Tail and Golden Edge Orange

Golden pheasant tail and SLF dubbing, what’s not to like?

Golden pheasant crest accent this Henry Lemire pattern.

Dark Spot Prawn and Pink Polar Shrimp

A simple, yet complex and bright shrimp imitation.

A pink version of the old classic Polar Shrimp. A few strands of pink Krystal Flash added to the goat hair wing.

Rogue River Steelhead and Coho-A Tale Of Two Fish in the Afternoon

A nymph pattern generally called the Prince. I often fish this small nymph as the chaser fly in tadem with a Carpetbagger Stonefly Nymph. The steelhead like both, so why not present both at the same time?

Fork Tail Prince Nymph, Carpetbagger and bubble.

Fishing the Rogue River, Oregon in the late afternoon. The fish will bite if you know what to present them with.

A good afternoon fishing the Rogue River. The video link of the catching is down below. Fish on!

Playing a nice Rogue River steelhead hooked with a Brown Fork Tail Nymph and bubble.

A nice Rogue River summer steelhead caught with the Brown Fork Tail.

A nice Rogue River coho (silver) salmon caught with a Bronze Rebel Crawdad plug.

Good Rogue River Steelhead Flies for November 2013

Carpetbagger Stonefly Nymph (AKA The Magic Fly on the Rogue River of Oregon) This fly will catch summer steelhead now.

The Brownbagger Stonefly Nymph works well for steelhead during the cold months. Consider using this buggy fly instead of an egg pattern.

All around good fly pattern for trout and in some cases…steelhead.

This fly has been a hot item on the Rogue River this year.

Brad’s Brat for Steelhead on the Rogue River

An evenings tying of near identical Brad’s Brat steelhead fly pattern.

The colors just say, “For fall steelhead.”

A good steelhead wet fly with the right colors for Rogue River summer steelhead.

Another take. A little fuller and one hook size larger. I’m taking this one to the Rogue River for a cast.

Reduced Signal Light for the Grande Ronde River

Reduced Signal Light, a size 10 fly tied on a size #8 Gamakatzu hook.

Signal Lights tied one size smaller on a #8 salmon/steelhead hook.

Small flies for the Grande Ronde River this time of year. The Signal Light is one of the good patterns. A client had me tie up a couple dozen weighted and unweighted. The weighted flies I identified with a bit of red thread at the head of the fly. I an only surmise that the low, clear water of November requires a smaller pattern for a steelhead hookup. The larger size hook should provide excellent hooking and holding power on a larger, active fish.

Rogue Valley Blacktail Deer Season-A Photo Essay

Early scouting helps to locate deer concentration. Also a good time to do trail work. A pair of garden clippers come in handy.

Early September is a good time to hunt mountain quail. The coveys are large and numerous then. Also a good time to keep your eyes open for deer sign.

Spotting the blacktail bucks. Early September is a good time to pinpoint their location.

Get up into the mountains early for the start of pigeon season.

Bag a few band tail pigeons. The flocks are large and small. A good size bird to heft.

A good open hillside with mullein and elderberry. Pigeon habitat.

Enjoying the foggy mist of the Oregon mountains as the opening of deer season approaches.

Get in a little target practice with pellet gun, .22 rifle, .308 Winchester and/or all three. You’ll need the practice when the time arises.

Set up your new trail cam in the location you think best. See what is moving at night.

Notice not much is moving during the day except maybe small birds.

Enjoy the changing view and mood of the season.

After all the preparations for the hunt, enjoy the success of that special morning on the clearcut.