This is always an excellent destination to escape the Rogue Valley heat, and this weekend is no exception. Every week through Labor Day, 3,500 rainbow trout will be stocked between Prospect and Minnehaha Creek. The Rogue and tributaries above Lost Creek Reservoir remain open year-round, with a retention limit of 5 trout. Stocked trout in this reach are not fin-clipped. There are also residential cutthroat and brown trout that are periodically hooked by anglers.

Great techniques up here include throwing small Panther Martin spinners or small hooks with a single Pautske fire egg under a bobber. You also can’t go wrong fishing nymphs up here, or nightcrawlers under a bobber.

Flows above Prospect are 332 cfs, about two-thirds of the long-term median of 453 cfs. The river flow below prospect is 551, almost half of the long-term median of 907 cfs. Many of the reaches in this section of river have bed rock crevices and wading can be tough. However, there are great trails and openings along the river throughout the stocked reach, which provide good access. The river gradient lessens above Farewell Bend toward Minnehaha Creek.

Smoke seemed pretty light on Wednesday, but has been heavy at times due to the wildfires in the nearby Umpqua and Klamath basins depending on wind patterns. ODOT trip check maintains a camera at Union Creek (OR62), where you can get an idea of weather and smoke levels. 

The Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest Lands are in extreme fire danger and recently implemented Stage 3 fire restrictions. Only commercial stoves fired by liquid fuel or propane are permitted. All campfires, even in developed recreation sites are now prohibited forest-wide. More information on Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest lands can be found on their website or calling the RRSNF office.