The summer Steelhead run is still trickling into the hatchery but is likely about over. Low water will not help with big bumps of fish, so expect the winter fish to just trickle in until something changes.  Down-runner summer fish have been reported still being caught.

Plugs from a drift boat would be a good bet in the upper river. Fly-anglers are usually best to choose something darker, but don’t be afraid to start throwing pinks and oranges either.  If drifting bait, smaller presentations are your best bet. Work the water, as it’s cold and clear out there. There is a forecast for some weekend precipitation. The rain this week on Monday did pretty much nothing to raise river levels. However, the change in pressure should hopefully get fish moving.  

Wild winter steelhead can now be retained as long as they are a minimum size of 24 inches. Only 1 wild fish can be harvested per day as part of the daily limit, and 3 wild fish in aggregate for the year in the Rogue and other waterbodies of the SW zone where wild steelhead may be harvested. Consult the 2022 sportfishing regulations and SW zone for more information.  

For February 15, 1 new wild winter Steelhead entered the hatchery, bringing the total to 3 fish for the year.  Considering the time of year, a nice push of 26 new hatchery summer Steelhead and 4 recaptured “retreads” entered the hatchery.  

Best bets for the upper river would be concentrating on the area between Shady Cove and Touvelle as there is more color to the water. If fly-anglers are so inclined, the Holy water should start improving with the cloudy and slightly warmer days.  

The Dodge Bridge guage was reading 1,030 cfs / 2.83 feet. The McCloud gage at 945 cfs/ 1.59 ft. Flows from the dam were 905 cfs and 41 degrees. You can check all the USGS Rogue gauges here.