Newbie Needs help: Steelheader.net- Steelhead, Salmon and trout fishing

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?14339000

Thanks Tony; sorry I missed your post Jake. Up in Portland for a few days, back home now.

The above link is the water flow for the Rogue at Dodge Bridge, mid point on the upper 30 miles of the River. This is the flow marker that many of us use to get a realistic view of water conditions. The other is the 'fish/flow' hot line at 800 472 2434.

That number will give you the flow out of Warm Springs dam plus the fish counts through/over Gold Ray dam. GR is another 15 miles down from Dodge Bridge. 'Subtracting' DB from the dam out flow number will give you (approx) inflows from the feeder streams such as Elk Creek, Butte, etc.

Lost of folks say that you are likely not to even get a fish on your first season.

Some trueth to this, but it is more a function of the size of the river as well as the size of the fish runs. Example: It will be much harder to catch the first on on the Deschutes than on the upper Rogue. During the summer the D will have 5 or 6 times the water flow of the Rogue so the fish will be far more spread out over the river system.

So what flies should I be tying up? Got pictures i can look at?

Google the RogueRiver fly fishers web site, go to nymphs, etc., and you'll find great colour photo's of the main fly's we use "down here" on the Rogue. The Otis Bug is the base fly we tend to use (weighted) with a trailer of a Prince Nymph (bead head) as a trailer. Some even use a three fly rig when fishing with a spinning rod/float.

On the Deschutes, these flys can also be effective, but not as effective as their 'local patterns.' Zip over to the Spey Pages web site http://speypages.com/speyclave/ and run that question by the fellows. Many of them fish the 'Big D' year round and are far better qualified to respond than I.

I'll be swinging an 8 wt around. What size tippet to use?

An 8wt rod would be effective kit for the Descutes as it's a BIG river, even in the summer. The Rogue's flow is much smaller and you'll find a 6 or 7 wt rod more in line when our flows drop below 1500 cfs.

Tippet size, 6 to 10 pound is more than adequate for the Rogue. Do to river size 8-12 is a better bet on the Deschutes.

What about nymphing?

On the Rogue, this is the way you'll hook 90 per cent of your fish. On the Deschutes, most will be on 'the swing' type of presentation. Reason being is Rogue fish tend to be 'bottom huggers,' either you're down there with them, or you'll get a hell of a lot of casting practice.

Deschutes fish seem to be far more willing to chase a fly presented in the water coloum. (Or that's been my experience anyway.)

Use of sink tips is frequently warrented on the Deschutes during the summer; infrequently on the Rogue save for some of the deeper/faster runs. Here the use of 10-15 foot leaders (single hander vs. spey rods) is the most common way of 'doing business.'

Use of indicators is a personal option, but many of the best fly rodders never leave home without them. Rare to see one on a spey rod line ... unless the guys from Kalifornia.

Anything I've missed?

Fred

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Fred A. Evans