Wooden Boat People
By McKenzieDriftBoat.com
Winter on the Rogue
I was on the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue this past
weekend. Very different river in March than in September.
The nights were cold, the river was high, the canyon was empty, the
food was great and so was the fishing. My friend Scott Vollstedt
took photo's at Black Bar Rapid to compare the river at 1,000 cfs (2009) to
2,000 cfs (2010)... what a difference. Some rapids ran easier at
the higher level - some ran more difficult. Mule Creek Canyon was
wider and faster, Blossom Bar was turbulent and terrifying, Devil's
Staircase was evil... everything else was a little more forgiving with
higher water. For an expanded trip report check the post on the Caddis Fly Blog: http://oregonflyfishingblog.com/2010/03/25/winter-steelhead-fishing...
1,000 cfs - 2009 a.
2,000 cfs - 2010 a.
1,000 cfs - 2009 b.
2,000 cfs - 2010 b.
1,000 cfs - 2009 c.
2,000 cfs - 2010 c.
weekend. Very different river in March than in September.
The nights were cold, the river was high, the canyon was empty, the
food was great and so was the fishing. My friend Scott Vollstedt
took photo's at Black Bar Rapid to compare the river at 1,000 cfs (2009) to
2,000 cfs (2010)... what a difference. Some rapids ran easier at
the higher level - some ran more difficult. Mule Creek Canyon was
wider and faster, Blossom Bar was turbulent and terrifying, Devil's
Staircase was evil... everything else was a little more forgiving with
higher water. For an expanded trip report check the post on the Caddis Fly Blog: http://oregonflyfishingblog.com/2010/03/25/winter-steelhead-fishing...
GH
1,000 cfs - 2009 a.
2,000 cfs - 2010 a.
1,000 cfs - 2009 b.
2,000 cfs - 2010 b.
1,000 cfs - 2009 c.
2,000 cfs - 2010 c.
Views: 121
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Robb Grubb on
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Greg, Those very unique comparisons. Did you get any video? I envy you getting out on the Rogue in March, as I am stuck in my garage building a boat, ironic... Cheers, Robb
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Permalink Reply by Greg Hatten on
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Yes - I shot some of the coolest video in HD. You can see my little cam corder mounted on the right side of the bow "filming away".... in fact, if the battery still has "life", it's probably filming right now at the bottom of the river. It came off the mount in Mule Creek Canyon and is now filming underwater shots of steelhead and springers. Oh well - guess I'll have to get another one and go back again.
GH
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Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on
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Great series and comparison. I thought I saw some great underwater videos on "IronHead TV". Now I know where they got them! God pictures of Intruders and such swimming by.
Rick Newman
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Permalink Reply by Kelly Neu on
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Thanks for sharing these photos. Really cool comparison. I can't wait to get on the Rogue someday! Beautiful boat.
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Thanks... the boat is getting a little "banged up" but that happens to wood boats - all part of the charm. So far, I haven't broken anything I can't fix, break and then fix again.
I would highly recommend the Rogue... a great combination of challenging white water, breath-taking scenery, wildlife and wild fish to admire - just a great natural resource.
GH
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Permalink Reply by Mike Dearing on
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Good stuff Greg.
I told you it would be easier with more water. Blossom does get more pushy, but you still just have to make the cut and everything's good as more lines open up making rock dodging not as critical with more water.
The highest I have ran it was around 10,000 cfs @ agness. Most of the river washes out, but its still surprising how insignificant rapids develop huge holes and standing waves, pretty cool. Right side Blossom runs open up at flows less then this.
My upper Klamath guide friend ran it around 40,000 cfs, put in at Graves around 8am and took out at fosters at 1pm, including a lunch break on the river. He had some very interesting stories of huge compression waves at horseshoe bend, how mule creek was completely underwater, and all the rocks in Blossom being covered with Grand Canyon sized waves breaking off the covered Horn rock and Volkswagen.
Headed down May 7th-9th if you want to go let me know.
Mike
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Thanks Mike... I'll keep those dates in mind - I would love to "do it again" this spring before the permit season starts May 15th. Regarding your Klamath friend - I can't imagine running that river at 40,000 OR doing it in one day... WOW - now that would be fast ride!!.
GH
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Permalink Reply by David Jensen on
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Greg,
As usual, great post. I love the canyon in the winter. Any fish? Thanks for the advice on the Wallowa. Steelhead were grabby, on trout nymphs! Prince nymphs sunk behind
stonefly nymphs. A toast to wooden boats, and to Oregon.
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Thanks David.... It was a pretty incredible trip and the fishing was great - I posted on the Caddis Fly with more of a fishing (and scotch) emphasis. Here you go: http://oregonflyfishingblog.com/2010/03/25/winter-steelhead-fishing...
Sounds like you had a great train trip on the Wallowa - look forward to hearing all about it over beers... are you gonna be at the Wooden Boat Festival ??
GH
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