My favorite Williamson River Damsel Fly Pattern Video is now on YouTube.

P.B.F.E is my go to fly on the Williamson when the fish are looking at damsels. In this video you will find the materials you will need to tie it along with tying instructions. I hope you try it on your home water.

PBFE  a top Williamson River Damsel Fly Pattern 

A YouTube Channel with the Williamson and Rogue River flyfishing at its center! : The Life Outdoorz

If you love Fly Fishing, Videos about Fly Fishing, and The Rogue and Williamson rivers you really should check out Channel The Life Outdoorz on YouTube.  This season we are committed to bring a ton of different content.

• Friday Guide Flies- We tie and describe some the files that make us successful on the Williamson, Sprague, and Rogue Rivers - Every Friday at noon. 
• Spey 101- all the questions you were afraid to ask about spey fishing will be answered here. 
• Home Waters- Southern Oregon has so much to offer we feel blessed to live here and fish here. So blessed we feel like we have to share it with all of you! 

Thanks again for reading this blog. I know we haven't been updating it as much as we should, but that's going to change this season. Next Friday will be our  first Friday Guide Fly, but until then check out this video of a fun trip Aaron and I had on the Williamson River. 

Get your swing on! A Rogue River Report!

The Rogue is in good shape if your looking to swing. We have done well in the shallow stuff early and late and hit the shade and holes midday. Like most Steelhead this far from the ocean the Rogue fishes well swinging naturals! On cloudy days we have even rose a few fish skating. I like to hit it when the water temps are at their highest level in the day, when the fish are moving. I concentrate on the tailouts right before a big white water section. If the suns out forget skating, throw on a skagit and hit the holes. Fish are consistently being caught from the canyon to the top. The trees are just starting to change, making the October Rogue a river you’ll never forget. Get out there! 

Southern Oregon’s Williamson River is heating up!

After a slow start we are starting to see a few more fish hitting the system, but the best is yet to come as the Lake warms. The cold water migration seems to be a bit later this year due to a couple of things.

1. We had a wet spring and early summer. March dumped and early June added to the lake levels with some cold water. 
2. The Klamath Tribes called water early to keep water in the lake, as this would help the juvenile Cwaam get to Harriman Springs before the summer sun heated it to dangerous levels. 
3. The weather has been cooler than normal. The lake hasn’t warmed to the point of pushing fish up the river. 

These are three things that will make Williamson the July fishery to be on!  The rest of June can be great as well, all it takes is a week of harsh sun to push a big pod of fish up the river. If you have been waiting to fish the river I wouldn’t wait any longer. The crowds haven’t hit yet and the river is clearing fast. 

Hit the riffles until the river clears and the algae clears. Once the algae clears hit the deep stuff. 

I like to swing softhackles, and buggers at depths, to match the conditions.  

Up your Trout flyfishing game with the Single Handed Spey!

The time Is now for Rogue River Winter Steelhead

Coming to the net!

Time to enjoy the Upper Rogue!

With fresh fish showing daily, and March rains making the upper stretches of the Rogue more appealing to the winter brutes, the time to hit the River is now. 

With the river at fall levels, the Rogue is a fly fisherman's dream. We are currently running at 1450 cfs at Dodge Bridge, but with the showers that will fluctuate. the color is from clear to emerald (stretch depending) and its in perfect shape for those sinking scandi's with normal patterns. I tend to concentrate on shallow rocky runs this time of year for swinging as the fish warm quicker and become more active in that type of water with the colder temps. Of course nymphs and egg patterns will take a ton of fish.

Its a perfect time of year to get out and shake off those cobwebs. if you need some help or advice feel free to call me at 541-951-6952 Nate

 

The Rogue River Fall Steelhead

There are a ton of different rivers out there, but the none of them are like the Rogue! The Upper Rogue is lined with amazing colors. It’s orange, reds, and yellows will mesmerize you until you get sucked back into reality with a straight line grab from its one of thousands of fierce native Steelhead. 

The Rogue fishes well most of the year, but the fall can be amazing! 

September through October orange dominates my fly selection but as the clouds persist in November and December I turn to black, purple, and blues. 

Fall is a great time to bring out the Lts triple density Scandi that matches the water your swinging. I primarily fish these lines until the water gets below 45 degrees and I I need to swing huge intruders. The triple density scandies allow me to swim my fly in any chosen water column. 

On the cold water days I pick runs that are on the shallow side and in the sun. Steelhead are always looking for that 50 degree temp. If they have to bask in the sun to do it they will. The same holds true in the early fall when water temps are high. Fish will search out the deep water. People always look at me funny when I switch to a skagit and heavy tips in the middle of a early fall day, but if you think about it the fish are going to move to the deeper pools as the sun warms the river. Remember the water temps in any river vary by depth and the radiant sun can warm a fish in 40 degree water. You have to pick the water you and runs to swing affording to those variables. 

Your swing game will substantially increase in its effectiveness as you figure these things out, and fall is the perfect time to test your theories due to the changes that happen during this season. 

If you hung up your swinging rod, pull it back out. Come to the Rogue and observe the fish activity compared to the the conditions. With the amount of fish that are in the Fall Upper Rogue, you can shorten you Steelhead learning curve... and who doesn’t want that?