Rogue River

Roughly two and a half miles of fly-only, catch-and-release water immediately below Lost Creek Dam, fed by cold bottom releases past the Cole Rivers Hatchery. Slick, clear, spring-creek-style flow that holds wild and holdover rainbow trout sipping midges and Baetis. Wading only; the constant tailwater temperature keeps it fishable when the rest of the river is too warm.

Best for: Wild rainbow trout on small dries, midges, and tiny nymphs. Technical sight-fishing on flat water. Best year-round thanks to dam releases.

The classic upper trout water around Shady Cove, running cold and clear out of the dam through pine-and-oak foothills. Pocket water, riffles, and ledge runs hold wild rainbow trout and the early summer half-pounder steelhead that push up from the lower river. Drift boats run it but wade access at McLeod, Casey, and Dodge Bridge is good.

Best for: Rainbow trout and summer half-pounder steelhead on caddis, October caddis, stonefly nymphs, and swung soft hackles. Best Apr-Oct.

The roadless Wild & Scenic section from the Grave Creek boat ramp down through the wilderness canyon to Agness — a multi-day raft or drift trip past famous water like Rainie Falls, Mule Creek Canyon, and Blossom Bar. The Rogue's signature half-pounder steelhead run fills these pools in fall, alongside adult summer steelhead and fall chinook salmon. Permit-required float; the only way to fish most of it.

Best for: Half-pounder and summer steelhead plus fall chinook salmon on swung flies and skated patterns. Best Sep-Oct.

The tidal lower river from Agness down to the estuary at Gold Beach, big and slow as it nears the Pacific. Spring chinook salmon push through in May and June and fall chinook follow the rains; winter steelhead run the tributaries. Mostly a boat fishery, with bank access near the Highway 101 bridge and the lower-river ramps.

Best for: Spring and fall chinook salmon, winter steelhead, and coastal cutthroat trout on streamers, eggs, and swung flies. Best May-Jun and Sep-Jan.

Below Grants Pass the Rogue narrows into Hellgate Canyon, a steep-walled stretch of jet-boat and drift water leading down to Galice. Summer steelhead and half-pounders hold in the canyon tailouts; this is the staging water above the Wild & Scenic section. Swung flies and skated dries earn the most aggressive grabs.

Best for: Summer steelhead and half-pounder steelhead on swung flies, Purple Perils, and skated dries. Best Aug-Oct.

The valley float water above and through Grants Pass, broad and braided with long gravel runs. This is prime summer steelhead and half-pounder water by August and September, with fall chinook stacking into the deeper holes. Mostly a drift boat fishery; bank access at Tou Velle, Gold Ray, and the Grants Pass parks.

Best for: Summer steelhead, half-pounders, and fall chinook salmon on swung flies, egg patterns, and Rogue stoneflies. Best Aug-Nov.