2016 SPRING-SUMMER NEWSLETTER FROM ROARING FORK GUIDE SERVICE

John Gross – Roaring Fork Guide Service – Newsletter – Spring/Summer – 2016

Spring Greetings Folks-

Yes it’s that time of year again when we recap the past season’s highlights and look ahead to the 2016 fishing season. While we fishermen prefer to avoid the dreaded ”D” word, fact is, drought conditions have presented numerous challenges over the past four summer seasons, especially in the late summer months. We all know salmon, trout and steelhead thrive in water which is cool, clean and plentiful. Low river levels with warm algae-laden water has hardly been the ideal fishing scenario. Fortunately, the arrival of an abundance of fall rain in 2015 which has likewise continued through winter and into the early spring of 2016, translated to some excellent Fall Chinook fishing and some great winter steelheading as well. We certainly did enjoy some very memorable fishing trips for big Curry County Kings during our Elk-Sixes river season in November and December. It seemed that whenever the swollen rivers dropped to fishable levels, it was “Fish-On.” From a fishing standpoint, it felt like one of the better, if not the best run on Elk-Sixes in a decade. The reason can be summed up in one word: Water.

Now with reservoir levels up and a decent snowpack in the mountains, hopes are that the resulting higher river flows will provide excellent water conditions for our returning Spring Chinook, Summer Steelhead and resident trout this season. ODFW, our fish & wildlife management agency is projecting a better than average run of Springers this year to return to the Willamette System at 77,000 plus salmon. I’m hoping their number is conservative. A good portion of those fish should return to our local favorites, including the McKenzie which flows right past my backyard, not to mention the Middle Fork Willamette, a scant 20 minute drive from home. The portions of these river where we target salmon and steelhead are truly just a hop skip and a jump from Eugene. Feisty Summer Steelhead start sneaking into the McKenzie typically in early May and by late May and certainly early June, the Spring Chinook begin to arrive here in catchable numbers. The last week of June is often considered the peak of the Spring salmon season. If river levels hold nicely, Springer fishing should continue well into July and beyond this year. Trout are of course available year-round and our upriver McKenzie trout trips make for a really fun and scenic outing. For people who have never handled a fly rod but would like to give it a try, these trips can be surprisingly productive and enjoyable. Acrobatic Summer Steelhead are locally available into the fall months and by September and October we are often directing our efforts over to the coastal estuaries including the Umpqua, Siuslaw and the Siletz rivers where Fall Chinook and Coho Salmon begin to stage.

Over the past 22 years I have been so very fortunate to have had the opportunity to guide in a variety of beautiful settings including Alaska, Colorado, Northern California, and of course, Oregon. I relish the experiences I have shared and the friendships I have made along the way. With each passing year I gain a deeper appreciation for our sacred natural resources and recognize that as the world population grows so must the protection and proper management of our resources evolve accordingly.

Whether your objective is to simply enjoy a scenic day on the river, land your first trout on a fly, bring home a succulent Spring Chinook for the BBQ, or experience the adrenaline rush of a tail-walking McKenzie River Steelhead, Roaring Fork Guide Service will give every effort to make your wish a reality. I hope you will consider spending a day or two on the water this season. For more information visit: www.oregonfishingtrips.com

Regards, John

John Gross

Roaring Fork Guide Service
39621 Deerhorn Road
Springfield, OR 97478

Hm: 541-726-7234
Cell: 541-912-8899
roaringfork@aol.com www.oregonfishingtrips.com