Oregon’s Rogue River half-pounder steelhead run fishing hot

Last weekend I snuck a side-trip into my Oregon Coast honeymoon to chase the Rogue River’s record half-pounder steelhead run. I started at Gold Beach and worked my way up the river access points to Agness. Though some fish are still lower in the system, the majority are around Foster Bar.

Oregon Rogue River half-pounder steelhead

Oregon Rogue River half-pounder steelhead

Oregon Rogue River half-pounder steelhead

These young steelhead spend one year in the Pacific ocean before returning to the Rogue. They’re highly acrobatic and lots of fun on a fly rod. I caught half-pounders on large Prince nymphs under an indicator, but they will also bite Copper Johns, stonefly nymphs, and more traditional Rogue steelhead patterns.

These fish are hard to get to, but there is fishable water above and below Foster Bar, and you can also access the Rogue River on via the wilderness trail on the north bank of the river. -MS

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