Oregon ·
Rogue River Fly Fishing Report - August 8/23/2025
ROGUE RIVER FLY FISHING REPORT
Southern Oregon — Rogue River (Grants Pass to Agness)
Report Date: August 23, 2025 | Next Update: August 30, 2025
Current River Conditions
Steelhead window is open. Summer steelhead are active and moving. Trout fishing is steady in cooler seams and pocket water — adjust tactics as temperatures change through the day.
Flows & Clarity
Recent Releases (Lost Creek / Gold Ray area): ~2,060–2,100 cfs
Water Clarity: Mostly clear to slightly stained after afternoon winds or localized runoff
Notes: Flows are in the normal summer recreational range; check USGS/ODFW gauges before launching.
Recent Releases (Lost Creek / Gold Ray area): ~2,060–2,100 cfs
Water Clarity: Mostly clear to slightly stained after afternoon winds or localized runoff
Notes: Flows are in the normal summer recreational range; check USGS/ODFW gauges before launching.
Water Temperature
Current: ~54–57°F (12–14°C)
Daily Range: Warmer in mid-afternoon; coolest early morning
Trend: Gradual warming through late August — target cooler pockets and deeper runs for steelhead.
Current: ~54–57°F (12–14°C)
Daily Range: Warmer in mid-afternoon; coolest early morning
Trend: Gradual warming through late August — target cooler pockets and deeper runs for steelhead.
Weather & Wind
Forecast: Warm, mostly sunny; afternoon breezes likely
Wind: Light–moderate (5–15 mph) — expect chop on slower runs and riffles
Forecast: Warm, mostly sunny; afternoon breezes likely
Wind: Light–moderate (5–15 mph) — expect chop on slower runs and riffles
Access & Regulations
Access: Most public boat ramps and popular put-ins are open; check local road reports for late-season maintenance.
Regulations: Follow Oregon regulations — only adipose fin-clipped hatchery rainbow trout may be kept (daily limits apply). Steelhead rules and Chinook closures vary by zone — verify current ODFW notices before fishing.
Access: Most public boat ramps and popular put-ins are open; check local road reports for late-season maintenance.
Regulations: Follow Oregon regulations — only adipose fin-clipped hatchery rainbow trout may be kept (daily limits apply). Steelhead rules and Chinook closures vary by zone — verify current ODFW notices before fishing.
What’s Biting (Hatch & Activity Overview)
| Insect / Pattern | Size | Activity Level | Best Time / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Steelhead (flies & eggs) | Streamers, Egg Patterns, Sinking/Weighted Flies | High ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | All day — best on cooler mornings and late evenings; swing wets/soft-hackle and strip streamers in deep runs |
| PMDs / Small Baetis | #14–18 | Moderate ⭐⭐⭐ | Late morning to early afternoon on calmer water |
| Caddis (smaller olive/ tan) | #14–18 | Moderate ⭐⭐⭐ | Evening and low-wind windows; good for skittering dry patterns |
| Stoneflies (golden / rubberlegs) | #6–12 | Light–Moderate ⭐⭐⭐ | Afternoon in faster pocket water — nymphs and emergers near rocks |
| Terrestrials (hoppers, ants) | Size varies (terrestrial-sized) | Increasing late August ⭐⭐⭐ | Afternoon into evening; bring a hopper-dropper setup for opportunistic trout |
| Midges / Mid-sized Nymphs | #18–22 | Light ⭐⭐ | Early morning and late evening in slow pools |
Recommended Flies (matched to available patterns)
Below are the tactical choices for late-August on the Rogue, with direct links to patterns you can tie or buy. Mix nymph rigs in the morning, switch to dry/dropper when the PMDs and caddis show, and bring streamers/eggs for steelhead throughout the day.
Dry Flies & Terrestrials
- Stealth Link Mercer - PMD (#14–18) — excellent match for small PMD hatches.
- Parachute Adams (general mayfly/attractor) — reliable if hatch color/size is uncertain.
- Corn‑fed Caddis (CDC) — Olive (#14–18) — skitter it in the evening foam lines.
- Bionic Hopper - Tan — bring terrestrials for afternoon aggression.
Nymphs & Subsurface
- Tungsten Pat's Rubber Legs (#6–10) — go-to stonefly imitation for heavy pockets and heads.
- Pheasant Tail Tungsten — a universal mayfly nymph, great as an indicator nymph.
- Egan's Warrior Perdigon - Rainbow — tight, fast-sinking perdigon for selective fish.
- Black Zebra Midge (TBH) (#18–20) — deploy on droppers in slower runs and near tails.
- Tungsten Split Case Nymph - PMD — perfect for matching early-stage PMD nymphs.
Streamers, Leeches & Egg Patterns (Steelhead)
- Coffey's Articulated Sparkle Minnow — Sculpin #4 — sculpin imitators for agressive steelhead in heavy runs.
- Sculpzilla - Natural — big, profile-y streamer for deep lie-strikes.
- Cheech Leech - Black — classic leech pattern for slow, deep pools.
- Sunny Side Up - Apricot (egg) — for egg-focused steelhead and trout.
- Galloup's Dungeon - Olive — a go-to articulated streamer for big fish.
Soft Hackles & Jigs
- Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Jig - Barbless — deadly when swung or fished near bottom in runs.
- Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig - Olive — compact, snag-resistant jig for indicator setups.
Tactics & Angle of Attack
Morning: Focus on subsurface—indicator rigs and euro-style nymphing around heads, seams and drop-offs. Use tungsten Pat’s Rubber Legs or Pheasant Tail leads.
Midday: If PMDs or caddis appear, swap to a dry/dropper and fish foam lines and seams where trout sip. Keep a parachute PMD or CDC caddis on top.
Afternoon/Evening: Terrestrials get more attention—try a hopper/dropper setup near banks and eddies. When wind calms, skitter caddis patterns across the surface.
Steelhead: Swing wet flies or soft-hackle patterns in deeper runs, or strip streamers and sculpin imitations through known lies. Egg patterns and leeches work well when fish are keyed on subsurface offerings.
Midday: If PMDs or caddis appear, swap to a dry/dropper and fish foam lines and seams where trout sip. Keep a parachute PMD or CDC caddis on top.
Afternoon/Evening: Terrestrials get more attention—try a hopper/dropper setup near banks and eddies. When wind calms, skitter caddis patterns across the surface.
Steelhead: Swing wet flies or soft-hackle patterns in deeper runs, or strip streamers and sculpin imitations through known lies. Egg patterns and leeches work well when fish are keyed on subsurface offerings.
Regulations & Stewardship
Harvest Rules
Only adipose fin-clipped (hatchery) rainbow trout may be retained; daily limits for hatchery fish apply. Wild trout and unmarked rainbow must be released.
Only adipose fin-clipped (hatchery) rainbow trout may be retained; daily limits for hatchery fish apply. Wild trout and unmarked rainbow must be released.
Steelhead & Chinook
Seasonal and area-specific rules are in effect — some reaches may have Chinook closures or special limits. Always check ODFW zone notices before you fish.
Seasonal and area-specific rules are in effect — some reaches may have Chinook closures or special limits. Always check ODFW zone notices before you fish.
Best Practices
Use barbless hooks when possible, keep handling to a minimum, and revive fish in current water. Remove invasive plants/lines and pack out all trash and leaders.
Use barbless hooks when possible, keep handling to a minimum, and revive fish in current water. Remove invasive plants/lines and pack out all trash and leaders.
Quick Gear Checklist
- Rods: 8'6"–9'6" 4–6wt for trout; 9'–10' 7–8wt for steelhead and streamers
- Leaders: 9–12' tapered leaders for dries; heavy (6–8 lb) tippets for steelhead
- Indicators & split shot for nymph rigs; tungsten beads for fast sinks
- Net, forceps, polarizing sunglasses, and waders (or river sandals + neoprene socks)
