Trip Description

Our team is exceptional. Our guides are full-time subcontractors who are licensed and insured. All of our guides have their own boats, rods, reels, tackle, and other equipment. Our crew takes immense pride of their knowledge of the rivers on which we operate. They are accomplished rowers, historians, and fishers. It’s a privilege to collaborate with such competent guides.

A variety of migratory fish can be found in the Rogue River. Winter, Summer, and Fall Chinook Salmon, Silvers or Coho Salmon, Winter, Summer, and Fall Steelhead, as well as half-pounder Steelhead and Sturgeon are also available. We will fish for fall Chinook Salmon, mature Summer and Fall Steelhead, and the famed “half pounder” Steelhead nicknamed by Zane Gray during our Fall Rogue Canyon fishing season (September, October, and November).

Rogue River Outfitters specializes in mature Steelhead and “half pounder” Steelhead fly fishing. We come prepared to do whatever it takes to catch fish, even though we prefer to fly fish. For salmon, we’ll use plugs and bait. For Steelhead and half-pounder Steelhead, we troll plugs, cast spinners, side drift, and float fish, as well as fly fish. You are our guests, so please let us know if you have a fishing preference, and we will do our best to accommodate you.

All fishing rods, reels, and tackle will be provided by our guides. We all use high-quality fly rods from Sage, Orvis, Loomis, and Beulah. Fly reels from Lamson, Orvis, Ross, and Hardly. Our spinning rods are Loomis and Lamiglas, and our reels are Shimano. All of our salmon rods and light plug rods are Loomis and Lamiglas with Ambassador and Shimano reels, while our light plug rods are Lamiglas with Ambassador reels. Please feel free to bring your favorite rod if you have one.

Our first night’s stay will be at Black Bar Lodge. The Black Bar is exactly how you’d image a wilderness lodge to be: small log houses set amid the trees serve as the rooms. Each cabin sleeps two people. Two single beds, a heater, and a private bathroom are provided in the cabins. A dining and gathering room, as well as an outdoor cooking and barbeque pit, are available. Your fishing guide becomes a 5-star chef at this lodge.

On the banks of the Rogue River, Paradise Lodge sits on the edge of an 88-acre meadow. Since its beginnings as a farmstead, Paradise has undergone extensive renovations. It’s not rustic, but it’s modern rustic, and it’s lovely. Each room, like Black Bar, sleeps two people in two single beds with a private bathroom. The guides will dine with you because the staff at Paradise prepares all of the meals.

You will be treated to a delicious shore lunch every day at 12 noon while fishing with Rogue River Outfitters. We’ll come to a halt as a group. The fish of the day is prepared and served with Tina’s homemade treats. Your guides transform into 5-star chefs the first night you arrive at Black Bar Lodge. Hors d’oeuvres are served in the dining room at 6:00 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., dinner will be served. Dutch oven biscuits, grilled New York steak, sauteed vegetables, pesto spaghetti, spinach or Caesar salad, and dessert are on the menu for dinner. The next morning, rise and shine at 6:00 a.m. for coffee delivered to your room. Breakfast is served in the dining room at 7:00 a.m. Remember lunch is at 12 noon.

Second night: The lodge employees at Paradise are our hosts and will prepare our meals. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m. in the main lodge, and the guide team will join you for dinner. Breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m., with coffee available at 6:30 a.m. in the main lodge. Lunch will be served at 12 noon.

Your guide will point out historic sites and tell you stories about the past. You can walk up and see Zane Grey’s Cabin, where he wrote many of his western novels. Take a short hike to the Rogue River Historical Museum to learn about the canyon’s original settlers and the Rogue Indians.

From the time we begin in late August to the time we conclude in early November, the weather changes a lot. September is typically still summer, with daytime temperatures in the 80s and overnight temperatures of 55 to 60 degrees. During the day, we usually wear shorts and a light shirt; however, I like to keep a fleece jacket on hand for the mornings and evenings.

Even on a hot day, you will detect cool places where it is shaded. October is still a genuinely pleasant month, and it is not uncommon to experience temperatures above 80 degrees. By mid-October, you should be prepared for possible rain. The daytime temperature is 70 degrees, while the evening temperature is 50 degrees. We start wearing long pants, light rubber boots, and a warmer long-sleeve shirt about mid-October; both months are actually pleasant, usually with little rain throughout the season. We recommend that travelers visit between September and mid-October, when the weather is more predictable.