I just got back from my first trip to Oregon and have
to say that it was the best place that I didnt catch any steelhead . I got caught between when the salmon have run out and the steelhead come in . The place where I was at(upper Rouge ) was running pretty high as I was told by the locals. I knew that Id be fishing big fast water but O.M.G that stuff was Big And Fast. I did hook into only one steehead but it was a rodeo ride. Lasted about 8 seconds and my tippet parted company with my leader. Irritated? You bet but hey, no guarantee in that game.
I tried some of the other rivers a bit west of Medford but the recent rains had muddied up the waters. A local guide and shop owner that was realy a great fellow said that if the water where I was (upper Rouge) was clear I was better off there as he
was’nt getting much going on in the local river.
I only regret that I only had a few days to fish there. Oh yeah , I thought that I’d see what was going on with the trout? First cast, Bang. Second
cast,Bang, third cast, Bang. So there were trout , just not many steelhead. I saw a couple guys catch a few steelhead( three in all )nobody slinging flies caught any.
There sure werent many fly anglers out there, mostly dredgers (no I’m not a snob).
Next time I go I want to stay at least two weeks or more.
This was the best place I have fished in 48 years of fishing. My mistakes not withstanding.
In the words of our beloved Tom McCall…“Come but don’t stay.”…no, no just kidding 
Don’t come now though…everything is out of shape…we’ve had a little rain 
Yeah, thanks for shopping Oregon ! Just kidding perch and if you think the Roque was awesome, wait till you have a look at the North Umpqua…lemme know when you’re coming out again and I’ll fix you up. Have a great Holiday !
Cheers,
MontanaMoose
Perch,
Timing is everything! We have had at least 10 inches of rain in Nov.
I’m glad you enjoyed visiting Oregon!
We have quite a few acres of SWAMP land in case your interested in living here.
I feel like a little baby that wants his mama! Has anyone seen the SUN?
Doug 
Moose,
I did get to see the north (I think) Umpqua , or at least a few parts of it. Do you guys know how lucky you are??? I would probably sacrifice my kids to live up there (heck I’d have sacrificed my kids for much less at times, but hey,we all survived thier teenage years).
I was glad to put some of my hard earned cash into the local economy and will very happily do it again the next time I go. There are a few things that I’ll bring with me the next time. A canoe, drift
boat, inflatable pontoon , bass boat ,various size rods starting at #2 6 1/2’ graduated incrementaly to #10 9’ and will bring every fly that I can beg borrow,steal or tie myself. Since getting back I have been boring the stuffings out of my buddies with my Oregon adventures( ok, ok so 4 days ain’t a lot of time to build adventures but it’s all proportional). I never checked profiles to see who was where ,much to my long lasting regret. Next time I go anywhere I am not making that mistake again.
My next outting is upper Minn. for some ice fishing . I really have to work on tighteng my loops or I’ll never hit those little holes in the ice . :lol:
I hope to run into you fellows that made coments to my fishing report.
Best wishes for the holidays and for goodness sakes wear a life raft up there . Some of that water scared the dickens out of me. :o
I’m sure that your next trip to Oregon will be LESS wet!
Would you please pass the Costco Pumpkin Pie? WHAT?
NO? What kind of Thanksgiving is this? 
Doug
Well, I do perch since I moved here from elsewhere. I’ve seen lots of beautiful water in my time fly fishing but none any more so than in OR. No need to sacrifice your kids though. Just find your way west and live the dream
Cheers,
MontanaMoose
Having spent 50 years in Oregon, you must remember, Oregonians don’t tan…they rust.
Jonezee,
There was a WHOLE LOT! of rustin goin on here in November! (12inches of rain)
Doug P.S. Here’s to a DRY December!
The rusting has slowed some and the N. Umpqua is ‘steelhead green’ so hopefully I’ll get me upriver in a day or so. Of course it’s not as warm as it was when it was in rust mode.
Cheers,
MontanaMoose
Well, I did manage to get out on the water today but I didn’t venture upriver, stayed close and checked a couple of favorite areas on the N. Umpqua. Perfect water color, hazy blue skies, hardly anyone around, but no steel hooked. I might try again tomorrow only upriver this time and I’ll check in again.
Cheers,
MontanaMoose
Thanks for your report! It must have been nice being at the river! I hope you hook a steelhead soon!
Doug
Thanks Doug, din’t go today afterall. Stuff to do. I’ll try again tomorrow though as the river is looking awfully good. Could be warmer tomorrow also, big plus with me these days ! I’ll keep you posted. Oh, I forgot to mention, the price of admission was well worth it yesterday since I got to see a river otter working the same channel I was working, close up and personal. That one was as big as a small black lab !
Cheers,
MontanaMoose