FROM THE ROWERS SEAT
9/14/2007 10:35:51 AM
New rules for salmon anglers in 2008
The Rogue estuary has become a worthwhile destination as scores of Chinook are being landed daily by anglers trolling the bay and with the surprisingly light pressure is probably the key for success. Green spinner/anchovy combos have been most effective in the Rogue Bay.
Bright-colored blades - red or pink - are most effective for Coho and while catches have been low, this will improve into October. What's really interesting, anglers while trolling are also picking up large surf perch with surprising regularity.
The Chinook bite was 'on' again Tuesday this week. Thanks to the local Sea lion patrol with loss to predation way down this year. Anglers at Agness are seeing a mix of fall Chinook and summer Steelhead but action is still only fair.
In the Grants Pass stretch, plug-pullers are taking the better numbers with fishing reported as slow but steady with Chinook passing through daily. Steelheading on the upper Rogue has slowed. It's flies-only above Gold Ray dam and Chinook angling is closed in this stretch.
Attention Important information below starting in 2008
With increasingly poor spring Chinook returns on the Rogue River resulted in studies and proposals which have spanned the past three years. Decisions have been made with regard to protecting wild stocks and habitat, but the final plan, adopted earlier this week will have the following effect on anglers starting in 2008:
"Anglers may keep only adipose fin clipped (marked) Chinook salmon from Jan. 1 – May 31 on the Rogue River main stem upstream to Hog Creek boat landing, including tidewater. During June 1 – Dec. 31, zone rules would allow anglers to keep two marked or unmarked Chinook salmon per day.
"Anglers may keep only adipose fin clipped (marked) Chinook salmon from Jan. 1 – May 31 from Hog Creek to Gold Ray Dam. During June 1 – Sep 30, zone rules would allow anglers to keep two marked or unmarked Chinook salmon per day.
"Anglers may keep only adipose fin clipped (marked) Chinook salmon from Jan. 1 – June 30 from Gold Ray Dam to Dodge Bridge. During July 1 – Aug. 31, zone rules would allow two non-adipose fin clipped Chinook salmon may be harvested daily in this area. This area is closed to all Chinook salmon angling from Sept. 1 – Dec. 31.
"Anglers may keep only adipose fin clipped (marked) Chinook salmon from Jan. 1 – July 31 from Dodge Bridge to Cole Rivers Hatchery Diversion Dam. This area is closed to Chinook salmon angling from Aug. 1 – Dec. 31. In addition to the hook and weight regulations, any attached weight may be no more than six feet above the lowermost hook for sections one through three of the Rogue River (from the mouth to Cole Rivers Hatchery Diversion Dam). "
Those interested in obtaining more information on the Rogue River Spring Chinook Conservation Plan will find it at the ODFW web site: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/nfcp/rogue_river/
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