Southern Oregon's many rivers contain a number of fish species from salmon to bass. Having a successful fishing trip means finding the right spots and using proven techniques. Guides familiar with the southern Oregon waters assist even the most experienced fishermen in navigating the area to catch large amounts of fish.
Rivers
In southern Oregon, two of the largest rivers are the Rogue and Umpqua. The Rogue River runs from Crater Lake for 215 miles before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. Runoff from the mountains and valleys of the western Cascade Range drain into the Umpqua River. The Umpqua stretches through Douglas County in southwestern Oregon for 111 miles before reaching the Pacific. Because of the wide variety of fish found in their waters, there are a number of guided services available on both rivers. Other smaller rivers include the Elk, Coquille, Sixes and Chetco Rivers. Scotty's Guide Service and Fish Oregon offer guide services throughout this region.
Types of Fish
Although you can fish in southern Oregon year-round, what type of fish you will fish for varies by season. Scotty's recommends fishing for shad and trout during the summer. The winter steelhead season runs from January through April, while the summer steelhead season is from June through November. On the Rogue River, Fish Oregon starts its fall king salmon season in mid-September through October. Other species include smallmouth bass, trout and summer and fall Chinook.
Fishing Techniques
Most guides provide services for conventional angling. These trips usually are done from a boat. Fish Oregon offers fly fishing trips in addition to conventional fishing. Fly fishing is done by wading into the water. It requires special casting techniques that guides can assist you with learning. Fish Oregon's fly fishing trips include silver salmon and steelhead fishing during late summer through late fall.
Services Provided
General guide services include picking spots most likely to have an abundance of fish and helping you get your catch into the boat. Guides also give you pointers on casting and reeling techniques to help ensure maximum success. Scotty's guides are certified in CPR and first aidin case an emergency should arise. They also include cleaning and processing of your fish in their guide packages.
Equipment Provided
Guides usually provide all the necessary equipment for fishing. Both Scotty's and Fish Oregon provide heated boats, rods, and tackle. Fish Oregon has both drift boats and powerboats for its trips.
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