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!

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

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

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

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

A quick Rogue Update

Rogue River Steelhead Fly Fishing Report

Worthington Fly Fishing with Jefferson Rod Co. at Rogue on the Fly

Join Brandon Worthington at the Jefferson Rod Company Booth this Saturday, October 1st at Rogue on the Fly! I'll have a spread of both single hand and spey rods for you to give a cast. Come see why these are some of the finest casting rods made anywhere.

Rogue on the Fly is a free steelhead event held at Indian Mary Park on the beautiful Middle Rogue river and is a steelhead centric event with vendors, presentations, steelhead olympics and live music and food. I should also mention its free FREE! See you there!

Great fishing in the State of Jefferson

Rogue River Fly Only Fishing Report!

September is a magical time where there are few bad options or venues, and the hard part is choosing where to fish!

 I am really looking forward to the Orvis Steelhead School at Morrisons Lodge this week as well as some other trips coming up including a hosted trip with Will Johnson at The Ashland Fly Shop and a few days down on the Klamath at The Scott River Lodge with Craig Neilsen of Shasta Trout. This Fall steelheading at its finest!

As I look into the month of October I am completely booked between the Rogue and Klamath Rivers. For those of you who missed your October opportunity, November is peak on one of my rivers and I still have some openings there. A wild and scenic river canyon, beautiful scenery and eager fish! 760-424-9682 or Worthingtonflyfishing@gmail.com

Rogue River Fly-Only Fishing Report!

Here Will Jonson and I cover the start of Fly Only on the Rogue River

Summer Steelhead - Rogue & Klamath River Report

Rogue River Summer Steelhead

3:45 am starts. Taking advantage of the early mornings. Steaming mugs of good coffee, stringing up with our head lamps, and beginning our casts before we can even see our lines...

Fly-Only on the Rogue River - Mark your Calendar!

We're just weeks away from the most anticipated time on the Rogue River. Fly Only regulations begin September 1st! This is when the river begins to quiet, and the most beautiful time on the upper river. We are set for a couple of great months a head of us! With good fishing beginning in June this year, our summer fishery has kept us after it and I am so excited for how it has set up the fall.

Around the bend - Rogue and Klamath Steelhead

September is one of my favorite times to chase steelhead on the Rogue. It's when many of our fish make their big push. The leaves are just turning, the weather and water conditions are very consistent and so is the fishing!

As October rolls around, fish concentrations increase and fishing remains fantastic. October is the traditional month we mark our calendars to get after it, though I find fishing is often better in the shoulder months of September and November! I'll be making my transition this year to the Wild and Scenic Klamath this year October 15th. I have a few late October Rogue days but its a tough sell to get me to come back to the October-Rogue-bobber show when we can wake dries with six weights all day for all wild steel on the Klamath!

If you would like to join a guided trip during Fly-Only on the Rogue or on the Wild and Scenic Klamath river in November, I have some great dates available in both September and November. Drop me a line  HERE

Until then, good fishing and tight lines!

Rogue River Fishing Report @ Ashland Fly Shop

It summer Steelhead time! Here's a fresh report from the other day with Ashland Fly Shop owner Will Johnson!

Rogue River: Steelhead, Spey, Swinging flies

What a nice time to be out fishing on the Rogue River. Water temperatures are perfect for wet wading, the mornings are cool and crisp, and there are even a few dandy fish around.

I'm still seeing consistent fishing. While the North and other Rivers are becoming stale, many of the Rogue fish are bright and feisty, willing to chase. We're having a lot of fun out there.

Rogue River Summer Steelhead

I do my best to keep thing relatively up to date here. But I admit I am not the best. When fishing is good, I find it hard to prioritize a few paragraphs at the screen.

Summer steelhead have been in greater abundance early this year. Usually good fishing is a month or so later. Now, I have a theory as to why Summer fish seem to be arriving a few weeks earlier each of the last five years, but I have no proof. Just my guiding and fishing observations.

Five years ago, Gold Ray dam near gold hill was removed. It was a major obstacle, with poor fish passage and which also created a thermal barrier down stream. With the dam removed, there is no thermal barrier allowing early summer steelhead to quickly ascend to the upper most river and mill around.

Personal fishing and other reports have the River producing good fishing and good fish. I have been fishing a variety of techniques and all have gotten attention. More grabs than gook ups over all, but a few to the dry as well.

Early Rogue Steelheading consists of warm weather, pleasant evenings and mornings where  we employ all methods of Spey and swing angling. There is a place for a popped skater to a dredged dumbbell eye fly in each day. July only gets better.

Why We Love Summer Steelhead

It's early mornings and hot coffee. There's a slight chill we know will quickly burn off, but hopefully not before we get into our casting groove. The first tail out is promising, but the not so subtle waking fly is not. At least not here, for this fish. But each run is a new opportunity to match your fly to the fish and make it grab. This is the run where the fish feels metal, your reel sings, the rod bends and the net plunges.

Here is a shot that is burned into the back of your eyes but it was only a split second, a small portion of the experience.

It's summer steelhead season now. Wet wading, light lines, long casts and great jumps.

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

Summer Steelhead Report

I recently took my first Summer Steelhead scouting trip to get a feel for what was in the river and where. Over the last few weeks I've been roaming far and wide, searching for fish. My most recent trips have taken me to the Willamette, just a few hours north of the Rogue Valley. I also sampled a day on the North Umpqua in a section I spent a few winters guiding for winter steelhead. In one of the same pools I consistently found fish when the water was big and green I found a player willing to rise twice to my skater on two different attempts. After this, I'm happy there are just a few more weeks of trout fishing for me before my brain and time shifts back to swinging flies for steelhead full time. 

Summers First Chrome

A fine Native Rogue River Cutthroat

Its raining hamburgers for the trout

Mr. Time Sexy loops throwing on the North Umpqua

A little adventurous streamer fishing never hurt anyone

It looks to be the start of my summer steelhead season. Give me a call at 760-424-9682 or e-mail worthingtonflyfishing@gmail.com to get your day!

Salmonfly Update, Rogue River Report

Rogue River fly fishing report

With the warmer weather this week in the valley we have seen the Upper Rogue River turn on and the fishing is great! Numerous "smolt" keep the action going and the larger native Cutties are punctuating the daily catch.

The one's that keep you in the game

Scoop!

Leopard Cuttroat trout

Working a riser on the Rogue River

Still a few weeks of good fishing if you want to get out with the dry fly. Shoot me an e-mail or call to schedule your shot.

Worthingtonflyfishing@gmail.com

760-424-9682

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

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 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 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

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

Spring Trout

Salmonflies on the Rogue and Klamath Rivers

Each year the Upper Rogue and Klamath Rivers host one of the most prolific Salmon Fly and Golden Stone hatches in the west. Enjoy Montana style dry fly fishing from the boat for plentiful and eager rainbow trout. Search for a trophy Coastal Cutthroat trout over 20 inches!

Fantastic Dry Fly Fishing 

There is little more fun in fly fishing than this. It's basic, simple, light hearted and affords the new or developing fly angler a positive first or formative fly fishing experience you won't soon forget!

This hatch is fast and furious so my openings are limited. The best dates are May 22-June 15. 

Book Now!

Book Now!

Sage Pulse Fly Rod Review

Guides Perspective

For a short window each year, I put chasing Steelhead on the back burner and search out the best Trout fishing I can find.

Having started out as a trout guide on rivers like the Williamson, Wood, and multiple sections of the Oregon Klamath, my backdrop of rivers required rods from the dainty 3wt to the powerful 8wt. But my work horse is the 9' 5wt, the quintessential trout rod.

For me, a 9' 5wt needs to be able to perform the three major techniques of trout fishing. It must cast tightly and accurately with the dry; It must lift, look and lob the bob; and lastly, it must handle the deep load of a double sculpin rig without you needing to duck (flinching is okay).

I recently picked up a new rod that I hoped would be capable of the tasks. Here's my review. Enter the Sage Pulse 590-4.

Putting the Pulse through the paces

Impressions

This rod looks pretty cool. With interesting olive oil green blanks, it's not too flashy in the sun, but it's still a head turner. It has a simple look which I like, but my favorite feature is the full wells grip. I just love a little extra purchase for my thumb when I'm really cranking into a cast.

I put pressure on this rod right away. The particular river I fished for two days requires diverse tactics. I made this rod do it all. It hucked streamers, gracefully grunted through tandem streamer duty, lobbed the bob and swung soft hackles.

Action and Power

I like fast action rods. But I also have lost too many fish on stiff rods when a big fish bounces on the line and there isn't enough flex in the blank to absorb it. I would definitely put the Pulse in a fast action rod category, but it's more crisp than stiff and has a smooth flex you can feel all the way down to the cork.

It's really smooth with a small fly like a soft hackle or dry. When you start to load it up though, It didn't strike me as a rod with the most reserve power. I have fished other five weights with the same rigs and a few rods come to mind that handled the upper end of what you should do with a 5wt better. (Orvis H2, Sage One) Even though it flagged under a really heavy package, I really appreciated the flex for more normal fishing situations.

Crisp. Responsive. Twangy. Quick. Agile.

Lines for the Sage Pulse

I have fished three different lines on this model; The Scientific Anglers GPX Sharkskin, an Orvis Hydros Textured trout line and the new Rio Single Hand Spey Line. (I love textured fly lines.) The only real difference between the first two lines is that the GPX taper is a half-line size heavy, so it will load a rod a little more.

As I mentioned before, I found this rod to be more crisp than stiff, so I ended up liking the hydros textured line over the GPX. This rods has a nice personality, so I didn't need to bog it down too much with a heavier line. And the Single Hand Spey line? Well, thats just fun. . .

Conclusion

I like it. The rod has grown on me, and if you fish it in it sweet spot with a single dry fly or soft hackle, a moderate nymph rig or a single streamer, it's sweet. Really, thats a pretty diverse set of fishing scenarios, so it passes the test for me. This rod gets it done.  And, it's also only $450.

A hefty Redband bent the Pulse to the cork

P.S. Trout fishing in Southern Oregon is a blast. If you're interested the waters this rod was tested, learn more.

Tight Lines

Chase the Good Water

 Wow, what a different winter it's been! We have water! I think the last couple of seasons have been easy in comparison. Hell in a lot of cases, I didn't have to even check the flows before going out, they were just steady and some color from the tribs just made it perfect.I'm only reminiscing a little though because we have a good snow pack, ample precipitation and full reservoirs. But for us, both Applegate and Lost Creek have enough water that when we get a large weather event, they open up the gates, and it's not the rain and tributaries that pushes us off, but the out flow from the dams...

one of the good ones

Unfortunately the Applegate has been more or less a bust. Few fish-able windows and just a few good fish to show. I suppose it's a nice respite for the fish because they have been fished pretty hard over the last several years in low water. Still had a few chances though

 Lights out bright

probing the pool

Could have done with a few more mornings like this

I'm happy to have the Klamath in my book, and it's been a saver producing some really nice fishing days. Regarding the K but on a different, yet extremely cool note, the Klamath basin had enough water this year for a system flush. This would naturally occur of course if there weren't 5 dams on the mighty K, but as it stands, more than a couple of factors have to align for this cleanse to happen.. With Klamath Lake full, enough snow pack and a precipitation event together, Pacificorp, NOAA and the Bureau of Reclamation set up a cleansing flow of 11,000 cfs from Iron Gate Dam. My hydrologist friend explained to me it takes 8,500 cfs to clean river gravel and 10,000 to really turn it over, scour it and rid the stream bed of the disease "Ick" so have a drink to a healthier Klamath system after this event .

A Klamath Krusher

I'm looking forward to the next several weeks and the tail end of winter steelhead season. It looks like the last few days of the month and most of April will offer up good fishing conditions just in time for a block of trips I managed to reschedule in hopes of more favorable conditions.

For now though, a few days on the North Coast for vacation (yes i'm bringing the boat) and then back at it. 

Searching

Drying off but ready for more 

Snap it

760-424-9682

Chase the good water

It's An Official Winter Steelhead Season

It's officially Winter. El Nino is official. And it's raining like a sunofabitch. I'm glued to the flows as often as possible. Checking, re checking, comparing forecasts with other forecasts, and hoping it all lines up.

This is the stuff that cuts the fat off the casual Steelhead Fly angler and chisels the die hard. The conditions aren't perfect. In fact, they've been marginal at times. But you still go. Because the fish are there. And they're here, and they will keep coming. Only you would never know if you stayed at home and hoped for the flows to drop into what the conventional wisdom states is "Go" time.

In a winter like this, don't wait for the report. Because by the time you do, it's already over. The water bumped, or the fish moved. I'm finding windows, because there are always windows. Fish like you mean it, and you might just be surprised.

Yeah Buddy! That's a lot of water in the background.

It's more than just the fish we're after

Stuart Swung one up from the milk shake

There was a fish on that inside edge...

D-Loops for days

February is around the corner. It's one of my favorite months to chase Winter Fish. Give me a call or e-mail if you want to join me on the hunt!

760-424-9682

Worthingtonflyfishing@gmail.com

Pure Gold on the Klamath River

Lots of ups and down with the holiday season. With the weather and fishing that is! Flows bumped, and bumped, and bumped, receding nicely. Winter fish are on the move, still a bit lower in the systems. But there coming, sooner than we think. Iv'e been on the South Coast a few days here and there...

Flows are perfect now, and fishing is good! It's only the start of the season, and it will hold through April. They're around, just follow them up.

Pure Gold

A Late Season Look

We have had some nice days bouncing back and forth between the Klamath and Rogue the last several weeks. Before the most recent set of rains, both the Klamath and the Rogue were consistently offering up a few nice fish each day. Paying attention to the flows has allowed me to find continued success recently even though large swaths of river have been blown out.

The above hen was a gorgeous Klamath Fish. A really nice late push of fish like these kept our focus for a few weeks.

A morning session on Thanksgiving before the feast produced one spunky wild hen and an encounter with a zombie...

No tail Tuesday, Bob Anderson with a late season Rogue Egg wagon

Another beautiful Klamath hen. Shiny and fresh

The last week and a half have seen real changes in weather patterns. Many of the Southern Oregon rivers approached flood stage making finding good water difficult. Even high up in the systems there was still quite a lot of color.

Looking back on the Siskiyou Mountains. That's the most Snow iv'e seen in a while...

Ted Sadlowski fished with me a day on the Klamath and the Rogue. Each day produced some quality, late season fish.

Hardly even off the boat.

It's holiday time now. It's raining, the rivers are up a bit but when they drop back in.... We'll see you out there!