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07/20/2012 - Fishing Report
STEELHEAD, SALMON HITTING ON MIDDLE AND UPPER ROGUE RIVERSouthern Oregon fishing reportAfter a few weeks of slow fishing in the Grants Pass and middle section of the Rogue River, the bite started to show some life this past week.Anglers are catching summer steelhead and fall chinook heading upstream.For the steelhead, anglers have been fishing in the riffles near the mouth of the Applegate River, Griffin Park and between Chinook and Baker parks.Troy Whitaker of U-Save Gas and Tackle said the best bet for anglers has been gold and black Panther Martins in size 9. Another good option for steelhead is a copper-colored Blue Fox in the quarter-ounce size.For salmon, the reports are that they’re beginning to hold up in the Gold Hill area.Whitaker said he’d focus on deeper water with the hot temperatures expected for the weekend.Good areas of the middle Rogue for fall chinook — along with Gold Hill — include the canyons areas below Argo, near Grave Creek, Indian Mary Park, Robertson Bridge, Finley Bend and Griffin Park.“Now that the water is heating up, they’re going to slow down a little,” Whitaker said.UPPER ROGUEAlthough anglers on the upper Rogue have been focusing on salmon for quite some time, it’s summer steelhead that are getting attention lately.More early-run summer steelhead have returned to Cole Rivers Hatchery as of mid-July than any time since the early 1980s, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.The same mix of spinners, Blue Fox and Panther Martin that have worked in the middle Rogue will work upstream.Above Dodge Bridge, anglers still are limited to retaining fin-clipped hatchery chinook.Anglers fishing from boats in the upper river have found success using roe, roe and shrimp, or K-15 KwikFish with sardine wraps.Bank anglers can catch fish drifting bait and drift-bobbers through the popular holes.LOWER ROGUEFall chinook fishing has kicked off in the mouth of the Rogue River with anglers picking up a few fall chinook each day.Most of the fish are being caught between Highway 101 and the mouth.Anglers are using the classic Rogue Bait Rig with an anchovy, although earlier in the season, Brad’s Cut Plug was working well.With the low tides, anglers might want to hold off until early afternoon as fish move back into the estuary with the incoming tides. If the ocean is flat, anglers might want to troll the mouth.Anglers should check regulations before heading out, as hook and size restrictions differ between the ocean and the river.Summer steelhead have been moving up river, but there is very little fishing pressure.CHETCO RIVERChinook fishing has been fairly steady at the mouth of the river and just outside the mouth in the ocean.Anglers trolling anchovies or spoons seem to be doing the best. Look for the bite to continue as the amount of bait near the mouth of the Chetco has been good.Anglers are reminded to check the regulations, as hook and size restrictions differ between the river and the ocean. APPLEGATE RESERVOIRApplegate Reservoir has been stocked with legal- and larger-sized rainbow trout, offering a good opportunity for trout anglers.Trolling has been the primary technique for trout, using flasher worm combinations. Fishing for smallmouth bass should be good on rubber worms. The reservoir is 85 percent full.DIAMOND LAKEThe fish are moving to cooler water with the hotter weather. The south end of the lake should continue to provide good fishing.Anglers using worms or flashy jigs and PowerBait have been successful. Trout from 10 to 18 inches or more have been caught. Fly anglers have been landing fish on trolled wooly buggers and drifting nymphs.Although the lake is not closed to water contact, the U.S. Forest Service did post some cautionary signs to remind people not to swim or allow their dogs in areas where there is an obvious build up of green scum.For additional information contact the USFS at 541-498-2531.o o oPast blogsMAN MISSING AFTER HE JUMPS INTO RIVER TO SAVE DOGCOOL OFF AT THE ROGUE’S ROUGH RIDER FALLSWILD PEAKS OF THE SISKIYOUS DRAW AVERAGE JOES AND ADRENALINE JUNKIESBODY OF DROWNING VICTIM FOUND BY KAYAKERS
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