Rogue River Dropping Back Down Into Shape

The Rogue River is dropping into shape pretty fast after the recent rain. We got out yesterday and found the water a little colored, but flowing at a comfortable pace for pulling plugs. We weren’t the only ones on the water on this fine Sunday as we saw other fishermen and of course egrets, kingfishers, mallards, wood ducks, and turkeys. Even saw a few morel mushrooms. They are coming on, not quite the full flush yet, but that will happen soon with the waxing Spring.

The CFS was about 2700 Sunday. That has dropped to 2300 this morning.

Pulling the Mag Lips 3.5 plug. While Teri held the rod firmly in anticipation, no steelhead were agitated during time spent fishing.

The morel mushrooms are coming up in the loamy soils along with the growing grass.

Recent Rain Brought the Rogue Back Up

Yesterday’s steady rain throughout the Rogue Valley brought the Rogue River flow back up considerably. Except in the far upper reach, the river now doesn’t warrant a much of a visit; and besides that, the showers are expected to continue today.

Looks like a hockey stick to me. Up to nearly 4000 CFS. The steelhead color must be gone with all that dirty flow from the tributaries.

Rogue River Report

Morels and good looking water. Great color and flow on the river. Check the river flow:
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv/?site_no=14339000&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060

Morels are coming up in tight groups.

The Rogue River showing good color and flow. Time to fly fish for steelhead.

I did cast for a while for steelhead. Watched a few trout rising along the bank and edges. There were some March Brown flies on the water along with the small BWO’s. I was pitching an orange beadhead Brownbagger Nymph and a beadhead G.R. Hare’s Ear Nymph combo.

River X Again

Tail out of a large pool. Nice fast water drops to the next pool. Weighted beadhead nymphs get down in the runs.

This pretty River X steelhead hit a beadhead G.R. Hare’s Ear Nymph. Fished in tadem with a Brownbagger Nymph the offering got down to the fish.

The water flow has dropped down to under 150 CFS. Some of the water that was holding fish yesterday will not be today. Just need to move around alot and try your spots. And be sneaky.

The water flow has dropped to low levels. Every year the flow seems to end up at about 150 CFS. Makes it a bit harder to catch fish in bright, sunny weather. Luckily rain and clouds are forecast for the rest of the week, and a good chance that the rain will be showers and light.

First True Morels of the Season Come With the Spring Season

Floating the River to morel locations. Wild mushrooms herald the coming of Spring to the Rogue Valley.

Teri is a seasoned mushroom hunter. With an eye for morels, she sometimes out hunts me!

Teri finds her first morel of 2014. It is the largest of the day!

It is a beauty. This must have been the first one to pop. Certainly attained some good size. Way to go Teri.

River X Flow Still Dropping

The Army Corp of Engineers is still dropping the water flow. I wish they could keep it at this level for the rest of the season.

Even though the flow is getting low, the river still has good color. I was able to wade around easily. The orange beadhead Brownbagger Nymph was a catching fly pattern again.

With the dropping water flow I like to fish dark, deeper runs against steep banks. It is surprising how close to these banks the steelhead will hold. It is not surprising when close inspection reveal the structure that held the fish, such as a deeper pocket with swirling back eddy. When I find good structure and hook a fish, I note it well. Year after year specific locations seem to always hold fish.

River X Really Coming Into Shape Now

Steady decline in the water flow, now it’s getting good. 251 CFS is a fun level. With the blue bird weather set for the rest of the week, I hope it doesn’t drop any more.

A nice little slot against the bank. Sometimes the fish hold close and tight in the skinny. As the water drops the steelhead will be found in some improbable small places. Season’s end at the end of the month. Get it while you can.

Pull one to shore. The water is still murky and there is lots of river junk. Try not to get hung up on a stick. Especially when you are playing a fish. This one took a Brownbagger Nymph.