Halleluaja

It’s finally rained, after what has seemed like far to long for such a mundane fact of life like weather.

The clouds reared up against the Klamath mountains and at long last, have quenched for a time the dust and ash, fire and smoke that’s plagued the State of Jefferson for months.

The smell of the coming rain was palpable as I approached the mountains’ southern flanks, driving north and home from the Shadow of Shasta after a fun day introducing fly fisherman to the Upper Sacramento’s Wild Trout.

It’s a good sign for Fall fishing in Southern Oregon and Northern California and after such a hot and smokey summer. I hope it’s welcome relief for more then just a fly fishing guide.

This first rain for many is the unofficial kickoff of steelhead season; a time of high hopes for fresh chrome and magical days in their pursuit. For all fisherman though, including trout anglers, the changing of seasons is always a great time to be out on the water. Sometimes fish feel the relief too.

As Shasta faded into the rearview mirror, the patter increased with each upward bend of the road, over the Klamath River’s tea colored waters, finally through the fresh scar left by the Hornbrook fire. Kind of like me, it looks better after a shower.

I’m Looking forward to a Fall season of tight lines, leaping fish and many fond memories. Hopefully a few will have a dripping hat brim and rain jacket somewhere along in the story.

Fall Chinook Salmon see much needed help in Bear Creek →

Locally, Fall Chinook Salmon are ascending the Rogue and it’s tributaries. This year is a very large run, and a barrier to their migration on Bear Creek, an urban stream through the Rogue Valley presents a very real and immediate problem. ODFW is currently working to make a temporary fish ladder to aid their ascent.

http://mailtribune.com/news/top-stories/fixing-for-a-fish

Who needs a lucky fishing Hat?

A full day Steelheading in September requires a good set of sunglasses and, for most, a lucky fishing hat.

But for Galen, maybe not! He seemed to buck the trend that luck is attached to a hat, or indeed, a necessary part of the equation at all.

What a beauty from the Rogue River during Fly-Only regulations.

Fly-Only Regulations begin on the Upper Rogue River: A few tips to ensure your fish swims away.

Signaling one of fly anglers favorite times in Southern Oregon, September 1st brings Fly-Only regulations (pg. 36) to the Upper Rogue River, Oregon.

During this time period Fall Chinook and Summer Steelhead surge into the upper river where water and weather conditions are perfect for fly anglers seeking a quality and fun angling experience. This year the Rogue is forecast to host and is beginning to see an epic, large return of both Chinook and Steelhead.

Many tactics are used on the Upper Rogue River including Spey casting with two handed rods (a local favorite), indicator nymphing from drift boats and the time tested "Rogue River twitch."

Which ever angling method you choose to utilize while fly fishing on the Upper Rogue River, take note many of these prized fish are wild and the utmost care should be taken when fighting, handling, photographing and releasing them. A study by Trout Unlimited shows mortality is much higher when fish are exposed to over 30 seconds of air (Do better then that, PLEASE) and that barbless hooks also increase survival rate. As local guides, we do our best to follow TU's recommendations and because we are on the water most days during the Fall, we tend to encounter quite a few fish.

To ensure your fish swim away strong, I recommend using a rubber net bag that is much larger then the anticipated fish to be caught such as PNW landing nets. If you plan to take a Grip N Grin, prep your shot so when it's picture time, you can count the seconds of air exposure to the fish. I aim for 3 seconds or less out of the water. Better still, if the angler and conditions allow, try for a shot that keeps the fish mostly submerged. Your fish will thank you when it sprays your face with a fan of cool water after it darts back to the depths.

Tight Lines,

Brandon Worthington

Half-Pounders on the Upper Rogue River!

The Rogue River has an epic Steelhead run each fall. But this year we are also seeing many half-pounder to the net too! So great, keeping the rods bent.

Keep em wet, these fish will return to the ocean to grow larger and return next year. Double fun!

Rogue Nightmare. Steelhead Beware.

With a Saturday morning off and fly-only regulations in just three short weeks I sat down at the vice to bang out a few choice patterns.

The Rogue Nightmare is a fly that can be both swung and dropped under a bobber. 

Steelhead beware ...

Check out Ashland, OR for your next fly fishing trip

Ashland, Oregon has it all - Food and Wine, accomodation, entertainment and a plethora of outdoor recreation opportunities, including outstanding regional fly fishing destinations such as the Rogue and Klamath Rivers.

At Worthington Fly Fishing we have you covered on the water and ensure your fly fishing experience is everything you could have hoped for. But to see why Ashland is such a stand out for your next getaway, check out Vogue Magazines recent article about where to eat, drink and stay and play while you are here.

Tight Lines,

Rogue Steelheading Under Smokey Skies

Summer Steelhead fishing is very good under smokey skies in the Rogue Valley. Depending on wind direction, the smoke varies between clear, blue skies and the campfire following beauty...

Every run feels fishy right now.

Fishing in Smoke is much like fishing on a cloudy day, if you can bear it. Yesterdays fish came at 12pm and 2pm.

Tight lines,

Brandon Worthington

Rogue River Summer Steelhead Report

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

Rogue River Summer Steelhead has begun!

My good friend and guide Stuart Warren went out to see what we could find. We were not disappointed. With the strongest Salmon Run in years on the horizon and fresh chrome steelhead in the river, it's go time!

760-424-9682 to Book a trip for Chrome Rockets

Fly-Only on the Rogue River is just 48 days away!

But who's counting anyways.

Pinch Your Barbs

I plan to hook them again tomorrow, so I like to make sure their chances are as good as possible. Keep your tip up and keep your tension, but pinch your barbs!

Dry Fly Steelhead Fishing

One of the most exciting times in fly fishing is nearly upon us on the beautiful rivers of Southern Oregon and Northern California. Near the end of May and certainly in the first

few weeks of June huge Salmonfly (Pteronarcys californica) and Golden Stone Fly (Hesperoperla pacifica) will make their way across the river bottoms and up stream-side vegetation to molt, mate, fly and lay their eggs on the water’s surface.

All stages of this hatch are of interest to trout and trout anglers alike, but for die-hard steelheaders there is an additional angling opportunity to practice our spey casts while skating big dries to half pounders and spring steelhead on the Klamath River.

If you have been fortunate enough to observe a salmonfly or golden stone hatch (they both typically happen at the same time) the observant angler notices these bugs have distinct preferences for when they fly or when they stay glued to the bank. Further observations illustrate that while one evening there may be thousands and thousands of the these clumsy fliers in the air, it’s when they fly low, quivering their wings just over the surface and touching their egg laden abdomens to the water that we often have our most memorable fishing sessions.

This action can be imitated in a number of ways with both single and double handed rods and is a combination of trying to mimic these natural movements while at the same time breaking one of our most important dry-fly rules: The drag free drift. For single hand anglers try raising your rod tip high, allowing a little downstream belly to form in your line and quiver your rod tip. For spey anglers, the tantalizing action of a salmonfly dancing across the water surface makes a subtle “v” wake which fortunately, is the same presentation made when skating a dry fly, down and across. I’ll also angle my cast slightly upstream and get a few feet of dead drift before allowing my fly to come under tension and begin it’s skittering swing.

On the few rivers where strong salmonfly hatches and spring steelhead coincide, skittered and skated salmonfly drys can be very effective and fun at bringing fish to the surface. The Klamath River in Northern California is one such venue with the added bonus of eager half-pounders and trout ensuring action throughout the day.

Best fishing is during the last week of May and first few weeks of June before the weather and water get too warm for ethical fishing. In the mean time, fishing is good and the weather is pleasant! Please drop us a line to learn more or book a day of dry fly steelheading.

Spring Fly Fishing in Southern Oregon

Southern Oregon + Northern California Fly Fishing Report

As the rivers in our area continue to fish well for winter steelhead, warmer, brighter days signal that the end of the season is in sight. Between storms and as waters clear, the observant angler can look in shallow tail-outs and see the occasional fish digging redds and dropping eggs.  It's a special dance to witness and one I hope goes well for the fish who are ensuring their legacy and our continued opportunity to fish.

As waters warm through the spring months, wild trout in the Klamath and Rogue become much more active and feed on the bounty of aquatic insects and baitfish.

Both the Rogue and Klamath Rivers see strong hatches of golden stoneflies and salmonflies early in the season. On the Rogue, most fish are small but Cutthroat to 20 inches or more can show themselves from the deep over hanging branches of the upper river in May.  Dry fly fishing in the early mornings and evenings can be non-stop action and trips are a perfect addition to a spring weekend in Ashland, OR.

Meanwhile, on the Klamath River, swarms of stoneflies, caddis, and damsel choke the reeds and air, but the fish seldom feel the need to surface for them. Turbid waters, bouldery chutes and heavy water require skilled subsurface presentations. Serious anglers love this fishery and are often rewarded with high quality Redband Trout. We fish out of framed fishing rafts and the whitewater between fishing ensures a high adventure fishing trip.

Worthington Fly Fishing guides both the Rogue and Klamath rivers in Southern Oregon and takes pride in sharing exceptional guiding and outstanding days on the water. Join us in 2018 to kick off your trout season!

Plan Your Trip

760-424-9682

WorthingtonFlyFishing@gmail.com

Wild Steelhead, Oregon

A beautiful fish release on the southern oregon coast

Adventures in Steelheading

South Coast Oregon Steelhead Fly Fishing

After two days of tough fishing and low and clear conditions, when Jamie showed up for his trip I had to be blunt. We had the opportunity to push the envelope and find some un pressured water where the fish MIGHT be grabby. But it was going to be tough. I laid out my thoughts and Jamie agreed...

We got stuck - we hit rocks, we were in and out of the boat and behold, we caught bright fish! Thoroughly spent after our adventurous first day and with the looming weather front finally at our door, we opted for a more standard float, hoping the rising river would bring in some fresh salty fish for day two...

We started the day to rain, wind and a steadily rising flow. By mid-day we were into two small but bright fish, 50 mph gusts and sheets of driving precipitation. We uttered silent thanks to Gore Tex products for keeping us warm and dry and we kept at it. The river became an alluring emerald green, and as we got closer to the salt, we began to see them. First one in a tail out, then a pair on an edge. These were fresh fish, drawn up from the sea with the swelling river. Our excitement peaked with the first big fish, a hen, and an absolute gem.

We continued down, the tribs really pumping now and the green river looked exceptional. On our last run, the take out just a minute down stream, we found a buck to match our earlier hen, thick shouldered and dime bright! After fish like these, there's no need to make another cast, we let the sweet taste of a couple of great and hard earned salty fish linger as long as we could...

It's raining now, and the river is too high and to fast to fish. But thats the Winter Steelhead game. When it drops, I'll be here, ready to go. Let me know if you want to take a shot

 

Come Find Your Ghost

We all have it as fly anglers, in some way or another, compelling us to one more cast, one more swing, one more run. It's there in us and our charged fishing partner, who when we look up all we see is an animated shape in the distance, fading being a log and mist and moving water, the occasional spray off his line as he sends a cast. It's also be the yearning of the next season, hatch, fish and experience. It's March Browns fading and the Salmonflies around the corner. It's the first of the summer Steelhead and the allure of the waking dry and free rising fish. The quantity of fish, the quality of season. And when we are in that next bend and around the corner, even that doesn't quell the feeling of anticipation for what's around the ultimate Oxbow. 

The deepest pull is here.  Come find your Ghost... 

Openings in January 760-424-9682 to book you trip

Winter Steelhead in Southern Oregon

The Solstice was yesterday, but really winter is just now getting started. There is no doubt that steelhead in winter are one of the most challenging freshwater pursuits. High water, fickle fish, tough conditions. It's not for everyone, but for those of us that brave it all and can handle the hammering, the rewards are really special, and like so many pursuits in life, it's not the destination, it's the journey.

To book a winter steelhead day, simply give me a call - 760-424-9682

Merry Christmas!

Brandon

Happy Thanksgiving!

Southern Oregon Steelhead Report

The Holidays are always a great chance for me to sit back, relax and be grateful for all of the amazing people, family and opportunities in life.

In a lot of ways, a day steelheading is like so much of our day to day. We know that at some point, we are going to get an opportunity. We hope it will be how and when we want it, though we understand that much of it is out of our control. We simple do our best to set it all up so that when the opportunity presents itself, we can capitalize on in.

As a guide, I do my very best to decrease the randomness, increase your likelihood, and maximize opportunity. (I think thats why so many of you trust me to take you out time and time again!) I am so grateful for the opportunity! Thank you!

The last few weeks have seen great consistent late fall fishing. Some of these photos illustrate that. Though as the seasons change, so do the fish, the locations and the way I pursue them. It's time to get into winter steelhead mode. Take a look at my winter and spring fishing program to get a better idea of whats just around the next bend at Worthington Fly Fishing. Follow along on my instagram and Facebook. The real adventures are about to begin. This is the season of the highest highs and the lowest lows, the season that cuts the fat from the everyday angler and challenges you to take advantage of opportunities for some of the greatest rewards you can find in the angling world.

Byron & Derek Joined me for two days on the Rogue River. They were not disappointed!

More Rogue Steelhead Stoke

As always, the Upper Klamath Produces!

This one ripped! Nice one Spencer!

Happy Fall, Happy Turkey eating. 760-424-9682 & Worthingtonflyfishing@gmail.com