A beautiful fish release on the southern oregon coast
Adventures in Steelheading
South Coast Oregon Steelhead Fly Fishing
After two days of tough fishing and low and clear conditions, when Jamie showed up for his trip I had to be blunt. We had the opportunity to push the envelope and find some un pressured water where the fish MIGHT be grabby. But it was going to be tough. I laid out my thoughts and Jamie agreed...
We got stuck - we hit rocks, we were in and out of the boat and behold, we caught bright fish! Thoroughly spent after our adventurous first day and with the looming weather front finally at our door, we opted for a more standard float, hoping the rising river would bring in some fresh salty fish for day two...
We started the day to rain, wind and a steadily rising flow. By mid-day we were into two small but bright fish, 50 mph gusts and sheets of driving precipitation. We uttered silent thanks to Gore Tex products for keeping us warm and dry and we kept at it. The river became an alluring emerald green, and as we got closer to the salt, we began to see them. First one in a tail out, then a pair on an edge. These were fresh fish, drawn up from the sea with the swelling river. Our excitement peaked with the first big fish, a hen, and an absolute gem.
We continued down, the tribs really pumping now and the green river looked exceptional. On our last run, the take out just a minute down stream, we found a buck to match our earlier hen, thick shouldered and dime bright! After fish like these, there's no need to make another cast, we let the sweet taste of a couple of great and hard earned salty fish linger as long as we could...
It's raining now, and the river is too high and to fast to fish. But thats the Winter Steelhead game. When it drops, I'll be here, ready to go. Let me know if you want to take a shot
Come Find Your Ghost
We all have it as fly anglers, in some way or another, compelling us to one more cast, one more swing, one more run. It's there in us and our charged fishing partner, who when we look up all we see is an animated shape in the distance, fading being a log and mist and moving water, the occasional spray off his line as he sends a cast. It's also be the yearning of the next season, hatch, fish and experience. It's March Browns fading and the Salmonflies around the corner. It's the first of the summer Steelhead and the allure of the waking dry and free rising fish. The quantity of fish, the quality of season. And when we are in that next bend and around the corner, even that doesn't quell the feeling of anticipation for what's around the ultimate Oxbow.
The deepest pull is here. Come find your Ghost...
Openings in January 760-424-9682 to book you trip
Winter Steelhead in Southern Oregon
The Solstice was yesterday, but really winter is just now getting started. There is no doubt that steelhead in winter are one of the most challenging freshwater pursuits. High water, fickle fish, tough conditions. It's not for everyone, but for those of us that brave it all and can handle the hammering, the rewards are really special, and like so many pursuits in life, it's not the destination, it's the journey.
To book a winter steelhead day, simply give me a call - 760-424-9682
Merry Christmas!
Brandon
Happy Thanksgiving!
Loaded on the Oregon Coast
Southern Oregon Steelhead Report
The Holidays are always a great chance for me to sit back, relax and be grateful for all of the amazing people, family and opportunities in life.
In a lot of ways, a day steelheading is like so much of our day to day. We know that at some point, we are going to get an opportunity. We hope it will be how and when we want it, though we understand that much of it is out of our control. We simple do our best to set it all up so that when the opportunity presents itself, we can capitalize on in.
As a guide, I do my very best to decrease the randomness, increase your likelihood, and maximize opportunity. (I think thats why so many of you trust me to take you out time and time again!) I am so grateful for the opportunity! Thank you!
The last few weeks have seen great consistent late fall fishing. Some of these photos illustrate that. Though as the seasons change, so do the fish, the locations and the way I pursue them. It's time to get into winter steelhead mode. Take a look at my winter and spring fishing program to get a better idea of whats just around the next bend at Worthington Fly Fishing. Follow along on my instagram and Facebook. The real adventures are about to begin. This is the season of the highest highs and the lowest lows, the season that cuts the fat from the everyday angler and challenges you to take advantage of opportunities for some of the greatest rewards you can find in the angling world.
Byron & Derek Joined me for two days on the Rogue River. They were not disappointed!
More Rogue Steelhead Stoke
As always, the Upper Klamath Produces!
This one ripped! Nice one Spencer!
Happy Fall, Happy Turkey eating. 760-424-9682 & Worthingtonflyfishing@gmail.com
Happy Halloween!
Rogue River Steelhead Report
The second half of October saw some rising rivers, a little tougher conditions for a few days and then some awesome fishing. I was on the water most days this month and there is no denying that October is a good month for a reason. Enjoy a few photos, and look forward to more as I dive into my Klamath season!
Colin Enjoys a fine fish at the take out!
Ryan Bittle of PNW landing nets shows how to get it done!
First Steelhead, and on the Swing! Way to go Anistasia!
Kinda funny how we only managed one photo of the many...
Homer and Kate Shared a few fish on the Klamath
Thank you every one for joining me in October! I am looking forward to next month and hitting the water again with many of you in the coming months and next year! Still a select few openings in November on the Klamath. 760-424-9682 or worthingtonflyfishing@gmail.com
A quick Rogue Update
Rogue River Steelhead Fly Fishing Report
Worthington Fly Fishing with Jefferson Rod Co. at Rogue on the Fly
Join Brandon Worthington at the Jefferson Rod Company Booth this Saturday, October 1st at Rogue on the Fly! I'll have a spread of both single hand and spey rods for you to give a cast. Come see why these are some of the finest casting rods made anywhere.
Rogue on the Fly is a free steelhead event held at Indian Mary Park on the beautiful Middle Rogue river and is a steelhead centric event with vendors, presentations, steelhead olympics and live music and food. I should also mention its free FREE! See you there!
Great fishing in the State of Jefferson
Rogue River Fly Only Fishing Report!
September is a magical time where there are few bad options or venues, and the hard part is choosing where to fish!
I am really looking forward to the Orvis Steelhead School at Morrisons Lodge this week as well as some other trips coming up including a hosted trip with Will Johnson at The Ashland Fly Shop and a few days down on the Klamath at The Scott River Lodge with Craig Neilsen of Shasta Trout. This Fall steelheading at its finest!
As I look into the month of October I am completely booked between the Rogue and Klamath Rivers. For those of you who missed your October opportunity, November is peak on one of my rivers and I still have some openings there. A wild and scenic river canyon, beautiful scenery and eager fish! 760-424-9682 or Worthingtonflyfishing@gmail.com
Rogue River Fly-Only Fishing Report!
Here Will Jonson and I cover the start of Fly Only on the Rogue River
Summer Steelhead - Rogue & Klamath River Report
Rogue River Summer Steelhead
3:45 am starts. Taking advantage of the early mornings. Steaming mugs of good coffee, stringing up with our head lamps, and beginning our casts before we can even see our lines...
Fly-Only on the Rogue River - Mark your Calendar!
We're just weeks away from the most anticipated time on the Rogue River. Fly Only regulations begin September 1st! This is when the river begins to quiet, and the most beautiful time on the upper river. We are set for a couple of great months a head of us! With good fishing beginning in June this year, our summer fishery has kept us after it and I am so excited for how it has set up the fall.
Around the bend - Rogue and Klamath Steelhead
September is one of my favorite times to chase steelhead on the Rogue. It's when many of our fish make their big push. The leaves are just turning, the weather and water conditions are very consistent and so is the fishing!
As October rolls around, fish concentrations increase and fishing remains fantastic. October is the traditional month we mark our calendars to get after it, though I find fishing is often better in the shoulder months of September and November! I'll be making my transition this year to the Wild and Scenic Klamath this year October 15th. I have a few late October Rogue days but its a tough sell to get me to come back to the October-Rogue-bobber show when we can wake dries with six weights all day for all wild steel on the Klamath!
If you would like to join a guided trip during Fly-Only on the Rogue or on the Wild and Scenic Klamath river in November, I have some great dates available in both September and November. Drop me a line HERE
Until then, good fishing and tight lines!
Rogue River Fishing Report @ Ashland Fly Shop
It summer Steelhead time! Here's a fresh report from the other day with Ashland Fly Shop owner Will Johnson!
Rogue River: Steelhead, Spey, Swinging flies
Just dandy
What a nice time to be out fishing on the Rogue River. Water temperatures are perfect for wet wading, the mornings are cool and crisp, and there are even a few dandy fish around.
I'm still seeing consistent fishing. While the North and other Rivers are becoming stale, many of the Rogue fish are bright and feisty, willing to chase. We're having a lot of fun out there.
Rogue River Summer Steelhead
Rogue River Wild Steelhead, June
I do my best to keep thing relatively up to date here. But I admit I am not the best. When fishing is good, I find it hard to prioritize a few paragraphs at the screen.
Summer steelhead have been in greater abundance early this year. Usually good fishing is a month or so later. Now, I have a theory as to why Summer fish seem to be arriving a few weeks earlier each of the last five years, but I have no proof. Just my guiding and fishing observations.
Five years ago, Gold Ray dam near gold hill was removed. It was a major obstacle, with poor fish passage and which also created a thermal barrier down stream. With the dam removed, there is no thermal barrier allowing early summer steelhead to quickly ascend to the upper most river and mill around.
Personal fishing and other reports have the River producing good fishing and good fish. I have been fishing a variety of techniques and all have gotten attention. More grabs than gook ups over all, but a few to the dry as well.
Early Rogue Steelheading consists of warm weather, pleasant evenings and mornings where we employ all methods of Spey and swing angling. There is a place for a popped skater to a dredged dumbbell eye fly in each day. July only gets better.
Why We Love Summer Steelhead
It's early mornings and hot coffee. There's a slight chill we know will quickly burn off, but hopefully not before we get into our casting groove. The first tail out is promising, but the not so subtle waking fly is not. At least not here, for this fish. But each run is a new opportunity to match your fly to the fish and make it grab. This is the run where the fish feels metal, your reel sings, the rod bends and the net plunges.
Here is a shot that is burned into the back of your eyes but it was only a split second, a small portion of the experience.
It's summer steelhead season now. Wet wading, light lines, long casts and great jumps.
Spey Weekend with Jon Hazlett September 9-13, 2016 @ Rogue Steelhead Lodge
Join Brandon Worthington, Jon Hazlett and Steve Eadie for three days guided steelhead fishing on the Upper Rogue River, Oregon.
This trip will focus on all things steelhead and Spey with an evening presentation and a full immersion of spey knowledge. Come learn from the Pros!
Summer Steelhead Report
I recently took my first Summer Steelhead scouting trip to get a feel for what was in the river and where. Over the last few weeks I've been roaming far and wide, searching for fish. My most recent trips have taken me to the Willamette, just a few hours north of the Rogue Valley. I also sampled a day on the North Umpqua in a section I spent a few winters guiding for winter steelhead. In one of the same pools I consistently found fish when the water was big and green I found a player willing to rise twice to my skater on two different attempts. After this, I'm happy there are just a few more weeks of trout fishing for me before my brain and time shifts back to swinging flies for steelhead full time.
Summers First Chrome
A fine Native Rogue River Cutthroat
Its raining hamburgers for the trout
Mr. Time Sexy loops throwing on the North Umpqua
A little adventurous streamer fishing never hurt anyone
It looks to be the start of my summer steelhead season. Give me a call at 760-424-9682 or e-mail worthingtonflyfishing@gmail.com to get your day!
Salmonfly Update, Rogue River Report
Rogue River fly fishing report
With the warmer weather this week in the valley we have seen the Upper Rogue River turn on and the fishing is great! Numerous "smolt" keep the action going and the larger native Cutties are punctuating the daily catch.
The one's that keep you in the game
Scoop!
Leopard Cuttroat trout
Working a riser on the Rogue River
Still a few weeks of good fishing if you want to get out with the dry fly. Shoot me an e-mail or call to schedule your shot.
Worthingtonflyfishing@gmail.com
760-424-9682
Trout on the Mind
There is a time each season to turn the page. But at least for me it's just a few pages. Fresh Summer Steelhead will be back in two months on the Rogue, and I can't wait!
Trout season is vamping up in the state of Jefferson with many options for fishing. Locally, the Salmon flies and Golden Stones are working their way up river on the Rogue. While the main stem is still closed for another week, the Holy Water is open and fishing well. Farther south, folks are getting in their casts on rivers like Hat Creek, and Sacramento among others.
Recently I headed north to fish a river I had only wet a line in many years ago. The Mckenzie is what all the guide books say it is. Beautiful, clear, cold and productive. The native Redband trout here are as pretty as anywhere I've seen. They're also incredibly strong for their size.
Mckenzie Redband Trout
Craig Nielsen with one of dozens
But even with the all the Trout fishing to be done, never discount the Klamath for a nice day out swinging flies for steelhead. Bevan, all the way from Tasmania wanted to swing flies and is pretty darn accomplished for not having any native salmonids to target! We had a really productive day with four good fish hooked and several other yanks. The Klamath never ceases to amaze.
Bevin from Australia for some late spring chrome on the Klamath
Bevin BENT with some late Spring Chrome!
Third Sunday Spey put on by The Ashland Fly Shop
Third Sunday Spey, put on by the Ashland Fly Shop this Sunday was a success too. A few guys showed up and got tuned up. This is really one of the coolest things a shop can do to keep people stoked on getting out on the river with the long rod.
Ashland Fly Shop Delivery Service
Rogue River Salmonfly Hatch
Just around the corner, the upper Rogue River opens for general trout fishing. I'm booked opening weekend but have some dates scattered through out the last of May and early June if you are interested in a float trip. Awesome fun!
760-424-9682
Spring Trout
Salmonflies on the Rogue and Klamath Rivers
Each year the Upper Rogue and Klamath Rivers host one of the most prolific Salmon Fly and Golden Stone hatches in the west. Enjoy Montana style dry fly fishing from the boat for plentiful and eager rainbow trout. Search for a trophy Coastal Cutthroat trout over 20 inches!
Fantastic Dry Fly Fishing
There is little more fun in fly fishing than this. It's basic, simple, light hearted and affords the new or developing fly angler a positive first or formative fly fishing experience you won't soon forget!
This hatch is fast and furious so my openings are limited. The best dates are May 22-June 15.