Rogue River Fishing Conditions 8-16-2016

Rogue River Fishing Conditions

Hey Fisher People!

After a slow start to August, Rogue River Fishing Conditions are beginning to get a little better.  There have been a couple of 40+ lbers and several 30+ lbers caught recently, although the majority of the fish are still falling in the 15-25 lb category.  We’ve been getting a decent bite in the morning on the incoming tides, as well as another (sometimes stronger) bite in the afternoon on the outgoing.  With the higher temperatures in the bay, the fish are moving around a bit, but most bites are currently below the bridge and/or the green can.  Focusing on either can the south jetty channel or the north jetty channel near the cat houses can be your best bet for success!  Anchovies are still the primary bait although some fish are being caught on sardines and straight spinners.  Rememer:  every color is good as long as it’s green!  But I have seen some success with silver , chartreuse, blue, and even red/orange blades (although the locals will primarily use gold).  The water is pretty clear and I have seen some fish caught in the deeper channels by folks using flashers, but I don’t think it’s consistent enough to be using them full time – maybe explore using them during low light periods (morning/evening/clouds/fog), but with the water as clear as it is, too much flash can keep fish from investigating your bait.   If you insist on using flashers, keep it simple:  your greens/golds/whites/reds are your best bet.

Though the first part of August has been a bit slow – I see improvement coming in waves.  There’s plenty of fish stacking up – and more numbers means more bites!  The silvers should start showing up in greater numbers (remember you can only keep hatchery adipose fin-clipped coho) so the action should start heating up a lot!

Oregon F&W Southwest Fishing Report

Boating Etiquette

If you are bringing your own boat (and new people should always hire a guide for at least one day to learn how to be successful on this river) – please remember that there can be a lot of boats trolling on the water.  I’ve seen some horrific setups lately that contribute to a BAD time on the water.  I watched a party barge troll with the rods sticking straight up vertically which means they had to let out 70+ feet of line just to get their bait in the water – this is NOT GOOD.  When things get crowded out there with a lot of boats, your best bet to avoid problems is to put on a little heavier weight (2.5 oz to 3.5 oz) and let out 30-40 ft, keeping your line closer to your boat.  Too much line out means your fish has greater opportunity to run into the prop of another boat, cross over other lines, and it brings getting your lines wrapped around the prop of other boats.  I even witnessed one boat wrap so much line around their prop that they burned the motor  – and that can make for a very expensive and very NOT FUN day on the water.  Please remember that while you’re always trying to be in the best position to catch fish – there are many others attempting to do the same thing.  SHARE THE WATER and be courteous – you’ll have better day and so will everyone else!

Fish Pictures

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