Fishing Schedule/Seasons - We catch fish all year round!
Jan. - April. - Winter Steelhead ( Rogue, Umpqua, Coquille, Elk, Sixes)
May - June - Spring Chinook (Rogue river)
July - August - Salmon/Steelhead/Smallmouth Bass (Rogue river, Umpqua River)
Sept. - Oct. - Salmon & Fall Steelhead (Rogue river)
Nov. - Dec. - Fall Salmon/Steelhead ( Chetco, Smith, Elk, Sixes, Umpqua)
May - June - Spring Chinook (Rogue river)
July - August - Salmon/Steelhead/Smallmouth Bass (Rogue river, Umpqua River)
Sept. - Oct. - Salmon & Fall Steelhead (Rogue river)
Nov. - Dec. - Fall Salmon/Steelhead ( Chetco, Smith, Elk, Sixes, Umpqua)
January - April
Winter Steelhead
Our Winter Steelhead season here in Southern Oregon is one of our most respected and prized fisheries! We mainly concentrate on fishing the Umpqua and Coquille systems. If mother nature alters these river conditions we could have other options to go fish the Rogue, Elk, or Sixes rivers. Carson's Guide Service is dedicated to providing the best possible opportunity for you to catch winter steelhead! Without confusion, for instance, if you book a steelhead trip and tell us that you would like to be able to harvest your catch we would concentrate on fishing the Coquille, Rogue, Elk or Sixes per conditions. If you tell us you just want to go catch fish than our options are wide open! I have 18 years of experience on all rivers I have listed. Carson's Guide Service bases our steelhead season out of Roseburg, Oregon.
Southern Oregon Rivers we fish we for Winter Steelhead
Main Umpqua - Trophy steelhead fishery! When conditions allow us to be able to fish this river out of the driftboat, it can be an amazing fishing! The main Umpqua has lots of little tributaries that we are not allowed to fish so when conditions are right, steelhead start to stack in the main system. You definitely have the opportunity to catch your trophy Winter Steelhead of a lifetime. The Umpqua system has one of Oregon's best wild steelhead fisheries. No wild fish can be retained. There is hatchery fish available and the limit is two per angler.
North Umpqua - The largest tributary of the Umpqua system. Mainly a wild steelhead fishery, but we do catch a few hatchery strays that are suppose to go to the South Umpqua. Lots of Trophy steelhead have been caught on the North Umpqua. It is one of the most unique river systems is Southern Oregon. Lots of smoothed over rock ledge pocket water and Umpqua steelhead love to live in them!
South Umpqua - It is also a large tributary to the Umpqua system, but a little smaller than the North Umpqua. This is where our hatchery fish reside. But don't be fooled, the wild stock has come back ten fold! We have been apart of the Umpqua enhancement derby for the past 12 years. Which I have humbly won three times. The derby funds are used to enhance the Umpqua system. Alot of the funds a few years ago where dedicated to the South system and it has shown.
South Fork Coquille - I love this little river. Great hatchery program with some big trophy steelhead. All wild steelhead have to be released and the harvest limit is three hatchery fish per angler.One of my favorites to fish!!!
Rogue - Great steelhead fishery. Anglers are allowed to keep one wild steelhead per day. There are hatchery fish available as well. I have to be honest, with the pressure of anglers keeping wild steelhead, it has taken it's toll. Most steelhead range from 4 to 8 pounds.
Elk and Sixes - They are two short seperate coastal rivers that are only two miles apart. You can actually fish both rivers in one day. Very dependent on rain fall. When they do recieve rain, fishing for salmon and steelhead can be exceptionally well!!!!
May - June
Spring Chinook Salmon
Upper Rogue river - There is only two times a year that I actually fish right next to my home and this is one of them. Our Spring Chinook Salmon show up in the beginning of May and run thru July. Due to thier high fat content, these Kings eat extremely well. Our Spring Chinook Salmon average 15 to 25 lbs. Current regulations are the harvest of 2 hatchery fish per day. The bulk of the hatchery fish show up in May and early part of June.
September - October
Early Fall Salmon
The Rogue River Fall run salmon start there migration at the end of August and runs into the third week of October. This is one of my favorite times to guide. Beautiful scenery, relaxing atmosphere, and the fish are fresh and bright. Kings averaging 15 to 30 pounds with plenty of Jacks to go around ( juvenile salmon which average 2 to 8 lbs ). There is also Fall Steelhead available which average 2 to 8 pounds, only hatchery steelhead can be kept. Then the Silver ( Coho ) salmon show up at the beginning of October which average 6 to 14 pounds, only hatchery Coho's can be kept. We will have you stay in the town of Agness only 27 miles upriver from the coast. We have a few different accommodations that we recommend and early reservations are highly recommended.
Agness RV Park - 541-247-2813
Lucas Lodge - 541-247-7443
Singing Springs Lodge - 541-247-6162
Cougar Lane Motel - 541-247-7233
November - December
Fall Chinook
When Southern Oregon rains come we head to the coast to fish for Fall Chinook on the Chetco, Elk or Sixes rivers. The Chetco is located out of Brookings, Ore., and the Elk & Sixes is located out of Port Orford, Ore. During time of booking we will help out with directions and accommodations.