Brandon Worthington presents @ Diablo Valley Fly Fisherman

Brandon Worthington presents “Fishing the seasons in the Mythical State of Jefferson" at Diablo Valley Fly Casters

Diablo Valley Fly Fisherman, Tuesday November 19th

The Gardens at Heather Farm, Camelia Room
1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek


Join Brandon Worthington of Worthington Fly Fishing for a multimedia presentation to explore and learn about their seasonal approach to the best fly fishing opportunities in Far Northern California and Southern Oregon. He’ll emphasize strategies, tactics and timing for Summer and Winter Steelhead as well as endemic Redband Rainbows on the Rogue, Klamath, Umpqua and beyond.

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Take your grandkids fishing

Southern Oregon Steelheading is heating up and this week Spencer experienced what it’s all about on his first fishing trip to the Rogue River with his Grandpa Gordon. Fly Fishing creates memories that last a life time, and Spencer’s first Steelhead is one he’ll never forget!

Rogue Summer Steelhead Fly Fishing

Summer Steelhead on the Rogue River run July-December with famous Fly-Only Regulations September 1st-October 31st.

The Upper Rogue River offers a wide variety of enticing Steelhead water that lends it’s-self to a variety of fishing tactics and the steelhead here can be taken with both dead drifted and swung fly approaches. We love swinging for these fish with two handed rods while wading, though drift fishing from a driftboat is also extremely effective.

Drop us a line to experience one of the West’s best steelhead fly fishing destinations!

Rogue River Summer Steelhead Report

Smokey Summer Steelhead

Flows continue to be lower then seasonal but water clarity and temps are perfect. Wet wading in the evenings is wonderful, and fish are being caught throughout the day.

Fires surrounding the area are causing smoke in the valley but anglers take note: Smoke reduces sunlight on the water and is essentially CLOUD cover. Fishing is good, come get some!

Drop us a line to set up your guided Steelhead trip on Oregon’s famous  Rogue River.

760.424.9682

Happy Halloween!

Rogue River Steelhead Report

The second half of October saw some rising rivers, a little tougher conditions for a few days and then some awesome fishing. I was on the water most days this month and there is no denying that October is a good month for a reason. Enjoy a few photos, and look forward to more as I dive into my Klamath season!

Colin Enjoys a fine fish at the take out!

Colin Enjoys a fine fish at the take out!

Ryan Bittle of PNW landing nets shows how to get it done!

Ryan Bittle of PNW landing nets shows how to get it done!

First Steelhead, and on the Swing! Way to go Anistasia!

First Steelhead, and on the Swing! Way to go Anistasia!

Kinda funny how we only managed one photo of the many...

Kinda funny how we only managed one photo of the many...

Homer and Kate Shared a few fish on the Klamath

Homer and Kate Shared a few fish on the Klamath

Thank you every one for joining me in October! I am looking forward to next month and hitting the water again with many of you in the coming months and next year! Still a select few openings in November on the Klamath. 760-424-9682 or worthingtonflyfishing@gmail.com

Spey Weekend with Jon Hazlett September 9-13, 2016 @ Rogue Steelhead Lodge

Join Brandon Worthington, Jon Hazlett and Steve Eadie for three days guided steelhead fishing on the Upper Rogue River, Oregon.

This trip will focus on all things steelhead and Spey with an evening presentation and a full immersion of spey knowledge. Come learn from the Pros!

Spey Weekend @ Rogue Steelhead Lodge with Jon Hazlett

Trout on the Mind

There is a time each season to turn the page. But at least for me it's just a few pages. Fresh Summer Steelhead will be back in two months on the Rogue, and I can't wait!

Trout season is vamping up in the state of Jefferson with many options for fishing. Locally, the Salmon flies and Golden Stones are working their way up river on the Rogue. While the main stem is still closed for another week, the Holy Water is open and fishing well. Farther south, folks are getting in their casts on rivers like Hat Creek, and Sacramento among others.

Recently I headed north to fish a river I had only wet a line in many years ago. The Mckenzie is what all the guide books say it is. Beautiful, clear, cold and productive. The native Redband trout here are as pretty as anywhere I've seen. They're also incredibly strong for their size.

Mckenzie Redband Trout

Mckenzie Redband Trout

Craig Nielsen with one of dozens

Craig Nielsen with one of dozens

But even with the all the Trout fishing to be done, never discount the Klamath for a nice day out swinging flies for steelhead. Bevan, all the way from Tasmania wanted to swing flies and is pretty darn accomplished for not having any native salmonids to target! We had a really productive day with four good fish hooked and several other yanks. The Klamath never ceases to amaze.

Bevin from Australia for some late spring chrome on the Klamath

Bevin from Australia for some late spring chrome on the Klamath

Bevin BENT with some late Spring Chrome!

Bevin BENT with some late Spring Chrome!

Third Sunday Spey put on by The Ashland Fly Shop

Third Sunday Spey put on by The Ashland Fly Shop

Third Sunday Spey, put on by the Ashland Fly Shop this Sunday was a success too. A few guys showed up and got tuned up. This is really one of the coolest things a shop can do to keep people stoked on getting out on the river with the long rod. 

Ashland Fly Shop Delivery Service

Ashland Fly Shop Delivery Service

Rogue River Salmonfly Hatch

Just around the corner, the upper Rogue River opens for general trout fishing. I'm booked opening weekend but have some dates scattered through out the last of May and early June if you are interested in a float trip. Awesome fun!

760-424-9682

 

Klamath River Recap

Here's a brief slideshow of my last month, spent mostly on The Klamath River. I have to admit, I was a little spoiled. Being run out of the Scott River Lodge, a five-star accommodation with Chef's cooking allowed me to focus on the best parts of being a Steelhead Guide. Thanks to all the fine folks I had the pleasure of fishing with, Tailwalker Fly Fishing,  Mike Folden of Freedom on the Fly, and Craig Nielsen of Shasta Trout.

The more time I spend on a river, the more it seeps into my core. Like when it rains on a cotton sweater, at first the drops bead up, temporarily warded. But as the mist continues, the drops coalesce and become larger before sinking into the fabric leaving a dark trace of where they had rested, just above the surface.

The more time I wade a river and feel its tug behind and around my legs, the more memories and fondness I have for it. After these last four weeks on the Klamath River, I am more drawn there than ever before.

Georgeous Klamath River Hen. I got a kiss on the Cheek for this one.

Georgeous Klamath River Hen. I got a kiss on the Cheek for this one.

Rivers have many sides, as complex as any personality. At times, the river had a predictable steady mood. In others, secretive, key thrown out of reach and lost.

Though I'm more inclined to think it was this family of otters...

Art's First Steelhead on the Swing

Art's First Steelhead on the Swing

Deep Breath

Deep Breath

Who says you can't swing flies from the boat?

Who says you can't swing flies from the boat?

Hey Derek, I think the term is "Corked!"

Hey Derek, I think the term is "Corked!"

Mike Folden with a Freedom on the Fly Klamath Buck. Check out his awesome lodge on the Scott River, The Fin & Horn Lodge.

Mike Folden with a Freedom on the Fly Klamath Buck. Check out his awesome lodge on the Scott River, The Fin & Horn Lodge.

It was this big!

It was this big!

Well, maybe this big

Well, maybe this big

When you seek Steelhead, no matter the river, there is always an element of variability. I have come to expect and look forward to it. It's what makes Steelhead angling so satisfying. That you can't walk up to a piece of water and say, "there's a big one here, eating zebra midges that lives behind that rock," may not be for everyone. But for those that like surprise encounters with something new, because each Steelhead we find is almost always a new face, it's the promise your fishing will never be stale, and each opportunity you get with these magical creatures will be memorable.

Source: Worthingtonflyfishing.com

Fly Only=The Whole Dang River to Ourselves.

Fly-Only on the Upper Rogue River.

Jami Montesi, barefoot, with a great Rogue River Wild Buck

Jami Montesi, barefoot, with a great Rogue River Wild Buck

September 1st is a significant day to me for a couple of reasons. For one thing, the Upper Rogue is now under fly only regulations, and I couldn't be happier. It's nice to know if you get out early, that there is a very strong chance your fly will be THE FIRST thing that fish sees that day that interests it. It's not some sardine wrapped plug, or a gob of roe and yarn. Just a clean, hopefully personally tied attempt to catch that fishes attention, elicit a curious response, and awaken the predator. YANK!

September 1st is also the date that, for the last two years running I found my first hatchery Steelhead. Now, I shouldn't take all the credit for this one, as I was just the one on the sticks, making sure we could get with in casting range. But since I had the pleasure of of removing this fin-clipped prowler from the system, I'll take the tally mark.

Another Wild Fish of the Week.

Another Wild Fish of the Week.

The flows are still up a bit, so this week getting flies down a bit has been helpful. More salmon have moved into the system too. Today we saw the first few (just a few) lower down in the tailouts staging. I bet they're gonna fill in fast over the next few weeks. Cheers!


Rogue River set for a great Fly-Only

Fish Counts: 1054 Water Temp: 61

Fishing on the Upper Rogue River has been quite good as of late. A few weeks back I noticed fish seemed to be kegged up in a few likely spots. Flows were low, temps were higher (but still acceptable) and more than a few people new where to look.

Case and Point. Keith with a standout!

Case and Point. Keith with a standout!

With a bump in the flows to encourage Fall Chinook Salmon to begin their migration, I took a recon trip out to the coast with Kellen Igou (who knows more than a few things spey) http://www.ashlandflyshop.com/blog/fly-fishing-gear-conservation-news/kellens-bugged-out-brindle-bug/ 

While time and place didn't come together for us on that trip, nothing beats 2am starts and mid day naps. Yawn.

First Light.

Back up river however the flows have shaken the fish up and dropped the water temps a bit. Fly only is a week away, the Fall Chinook have arrived and we are finding these...

What More do you Need?

What More do you Need?

Lost Lead, Different Rods, Fresh Fish

The morning started out Smokey. Not nearly as bad as last week where it was hot and dry and I should have been wearing a mask. But it still lingered in the still morning air. Sounds like the Stouts fire is getting contained, slowly but surely.
The Salmon guys were all jockeying at their put in as I crossed the bridge. I'm so glad I don't play that game...
I had the pleasure of taking Craig Neilson of Shasta Trout out for some Early Steelhead. Of course, wanting him to get into them, I made a pretty bold move right off the bat and anchored in a spot that past experiences have taught me to avoid. One of those spots I know holds fish, but you take a chance and it's awkward swinging from the boat. I felt the anchor lock in a slot as soon as it touched down. We had to cut the rope after a few minutes fighting to get it back. No fish there either.

Craig's Steelhead Hen


This beautie came a few runs later. I stumbled out of the boat when I heard the reel sing. I don't think Craig had made more than three casts, maybe half of his shooting head out. 
After a celebratory beer, I stepped out and not half a dozen casts later, chatting away, not paying any attention, WHAM! And then slack. So it goes. Don't throw it out there til' yer' ready.
Nice.

Rogue Steelhead


We finished the day swapping rods and lines. I cast a few of Craig's Anderson Custom Rods and they cast as nice as they look. He tried out the Douglas DFX 7116-4 I have been demoing. All Before noon.

Go get em'