Southern Oregon Is on Fire-- Rogue River Holy Water, and Williamson River Report.

Rogue River Salmonfly Hatch

 

Bob hit the dry fly world with a storm. It took him a couple of fish before one came to the bank, but it didn't take him long before he was able to see a beautiful trout up close and personal.  Good job Bob, your fishing like a pro. The Rogue River Salmon Fly Hatch continues to impress.

 

 

Williamson River Report

From Good Friend and Great Guide Brent Hublitz

"Wow! What an opening weekend on the Williamson. The water is low, clear, and the fishing is better than fantastic. I ran trips the last three days and there are more than enough fish to have some fun (large one’s too.) Swinging leech patterns on a slow sinking intermediate line has been the most productive technique. I will post some pictures of this weekend in the next day or two, but for now it’s time to go get some rest."

 

Salmon Fly Hatch and the Rogue River equal Fat Trout! Holy Waters for sure!

I love watching huge trout go bonkers over dry flies. Predators of the first degree: just their ferocity gets my heart pumping, but watching a 20 inch monster of the deep flash your multiple times in a fifteen foot drift is an adrenaline overload!  Now do this over and over and by the end of the day you’ll be an adrenaline soaked mess that is smiling ear to ear. Welcome to the Salmon Fly Hatch on the Rogue River my friends.

Pulling Hard

This fish was burping from being such a salmon fly glutton!

This Salmon Fly has good taste!

A place to relax.

Jonesing For Trout Season! You don't have to with the Rogue River Holy Water!

I love standing knee deep in the middle of the a winter swept river swinging huge flies, but all the dredging it takes to get winter steel makes me day dream about warmer days and more delicate presentations. Luckily,  I don't have to wait on the Rogue River! The Holy Water, as its called, is open to flyfishing year around. It also houses some of the largest Trout in Southwestern Oregon. These fish came from the Cole River Hatchery, but have had many years of wild spawning making them act like wild fish. They readily come to a well presented fly. Many say that the best time of year is late April to May, when the salmon flies come off, but I like to fish them this time of year when their is hardly any pressure. As the spring flows warm you can swing soft hackles or dead drift nymphs with success. So if cabin fever has you beat, get out! The Holy Water will welcome you!

Mini spey strikes agian on the Rogue River Holy Water!

Kandace showing Mark and I how its done! Waders, only boys need waders!

Kandace with a nice Rogue River Holy Water Trout. Bet her feet are cold.

Do you see your quarry like this--you should?

If your like me there is more to fishing than fishing. I feel connected with something that's real. there is something deep within us that knows we belong immersed with the truths that the river brings. A wise man once said, "But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you." There is so much we can learn about ourselves as we ponder the creation--that is why I have grown to love the Art that celebrates it! That is why Derek DeYoung's stuff hits me so hard... Check it out!  http://vimeo.com/37610238

Big fish aren't all there is!

As a guide it seems like I am always after the real toads, and rightfully so, but sometimes it is great just to get back to the basics and wade a solitary, high mountain stream. The Upper, Upper Rogue is that stream for me. During my fourth of July camping trip, I was able to sneak out with my small glass rod for a couple hours of fishing. Here are some pictures to remind you about the basics of our sport. For me, it was the place where I was introduced to my first trout lie. Its places like this,  that will always bring me back to the simple style of life that my father introduced to me so many years ago. Its places like this,  that I'll always gravitate back to, to recharge. What a Blessing! Enjoy!

Awesome River

Gotta get down

Love Swinging

Swinging the ledge

Wet wading just like when I was a kid

A Trophy, for this section of river!

Bending the Glass Rod

Love this Place

Going Back In--Thanks For the Fight--pure blessing!

Great Article about the Holy Water!

Great article about the Rogue River Holy Water
Holy Hatch | MailTribune.com

New Website!

I'm proud to introduce my new Website http://www.southernoregonflyfishing.com/ It's a work in progress so please check back often.

The Holy Waters - Rogue River

Had a great time with the Trail Outdoors Fellowship group. There were a ton of people who learned how to cast, mend, and became fly fishing addicts last night. The fish weren't cooperating, but we did manage one on a swung Muddler Minnow. Trail Outdoor Fellowship is a group that meets at Trail Christian Fellowship, they have been spending the last couple months learning how to fly fish, and I have been honored to be able to be a part of that. It was awesome to see the culmination of all their hard work come into fruition last night.

Nice little trout that came to a swung Muddler Minnow.

    

Oregon Boat

I love the fact that Oregonians are the ones that came up with this Fine work of Art!

If your not tumbeling big black rubber legged bugs your not fishing for winter steelhead on the Rogue -- at least that's what they say. As a guide you figure out what works fast, or you wont guide for long. When Fish are concentrating on Big Stonefly Nymphs, I have found that this simple fly works, is durable, and gets the head first sinking action of the natural. I like to add a little flash to all my nymphs-- if you watch a natural under water they all trap little glisening gas bubbles, often gold. So here it is Nate's Southern Stone.




I like to give the fly shape by bending the size 4 hook.
 





 

Add .030 lead and a cone to give it the front end weight



Tie in black rubber tails, then wrap black stone fly dubbing up body, then rib
with black uniwire.


 

 

Tie in peacock sparkle yarn wingcase and the rest of the black rubber legs.







Wrap clear to the head with dubbing.








Fold wingcase over and tie off.







And there you have it--scrumptious