Things must be really slow in Forks. The normal chat is decreasing dramatically.

I can't get anyone to talk about Rogue River Springers. It's actually slowed up here too. We had a low pressure and some snow melt off that raised the river. Local guides that I talk to on a regular basis are down to a fish or two a day.... this week. Two weeks ago, these same guides were catching 3-6 fish per day. With over 60 fish caught at "the rock" on Thursday the 8th. The majority of the fish are being caught on Spinner-baits w/ G-Spot blades...and a lot of those nice TH custom Loomis rods. :-)

Take Care!!!!

TH

[This message has been edited by TH (edited 04-22-99).]

My friends are saying the exact same thing. They live in Medford & Eureka. They were catching alot of springers in late March-early April and its slowed. One fish they got a couple weeks ago was 38lbs. Any half pounders yet on the Klamath or Rogue? I'm heading to Eureka for 2 weeks May 1st.

38#'s is a "pig". Our biggest this year is 28#'s. I have seen lots of 3 year old fish so far this year. 12-18 pounds.

This weekend should produce some fish. High tides combined with a high pressure should turn them on.

Half pounders don't generally show up until June. I don't target them until Early August and Spet. That's a great fishery on the Rogue. We catch 6-8 pounders every Summer, true wild summer steelhead. We concentrate on fishing from Agness down. Lots of action, on light gear. Even an occasional Fall Chinook. 2 years ago my father-in-law landed a 42 pounder on 8 pound test. Hooked it on a Panther Martin if you can believe that.

I believe it!! Same deal on the Klamath fishing for half- pounders. Light rods, light line, small spinner, big early kings! Its happened a bunch of times. Those halfies are really fun when you get into a mess of them. Ya' cant keep em' off the hook! They run thick in the Eel too!

Alright guys, I have to ask. What's a half
pounder? Sorry if this is a stupid question,
but I have never heard this term.
thanks.

I'm still here ... just been busy prepping for thee journey north ... taking some time off from fishing (but certainly not from the biz)... I apologize for the long delay in the last river update, I've skipping a day here and there the last week as I've been away from home several eves, but I forgot to upload my last update so it appeared that I forgot about all of you ... sorry!!!

Bob, please do no apolopize, and drive saftely.

A 1/2 pounder is a 1 salt fish. The Rogue has a huge summer steelhead hatchery program. Many of these fish come back as 1/2 pounders. The river is abosultely filled with them in the late summer months. When they are at their peak, we have had 50-75 fish days. Tossing little spinners on ulta light gear. The "Jacks" are in at this time as well so, you never know what's going to attack. Its great fishing for kids. (and big kids too)

Sounds like a smolt

Thanks for the info TH. Do these 1/2 pounders ever hit a fly? If so, what would
you recommend? Thanks again.

Harrassing smolts? That takes the cake. Just a foreigner's opinion.

Apparently some of you don't understand. If a fish goes out to the ocean for 1year, then it's not considered a smolt.

My uncle has a cabin on the Rogue and all he does is fly fish. He says the fishin is great. I've never fished it myself and I am a baitcaster so no help on patterns. (?leech?)

Thank you "Duck in the Fog"

These fish are actually 16 inches to 25 inches long.
My understanding is that these fish don't spawn, and many make it back to the ocean and return as....(as AKBILL would say, non smolts) Maybe someone has some more information on that?

I fish a bead head nymph that's my favorite, they smash it.