Wild and Scenic Rogue River - Oregon

Rogue River Fishing Trip - Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - 

8:00 AM, Meet at our shop in Merlin Oregon.  Your car will be parked in our gated lot for the remainder of the fishing trip on the Rogue River.  

At our shop you will re-pack your luggage for the trip into our supplied dry-bag.  This provided dry-bag is where everything for the trip goes.  At the shop we go through a quick orientation to help prepare you for the Rogue River fishing trip and make sure you have all of the information and gear you need before loading into our van for the 15 minute ride down to the put-in.

9:00 am, Launch from Almeda Bar and start fishing.  The first 4 miles of the trip includes some fun class II and II+ rapids mixed with often productive fishing holes.  After about 90 minutes we will arrive at Grave Creek which is a good outhouse stop if anyone needs to quickly use a pit-toilet before the PFD’s go on and the class III whitewater begins.  Upper and Lower Grave Creek are thrilling class III rapids with the second being a small water-fall like rapid which is an exciting ride in the drift boat.  After these rapids some good fishing begins again before the quick push down to Raine Falls.

At Raine Falls passengers un-load the boats for a quick walk around the 10 ft tall class V waterfall while the guides lower their drift boats through the fish-ladder around the falls with ropes.  This is a scenic Rogue River spot and fun to watch the guides work their boats down the narrow chute.  Not far below loading back in we will pull over for our riverside picnic style lunch will include multiple salads, snacks and sandwich options.

Post lunch some more classic Rogue River fishing leads into the final miles of whitewater down to the lodge.  This section has back to back class II and III rapids including Slim Pickings where the boats slide through tight channel only inches wider than the boats themselves and the fun Upper Black Bar falls.  Between rapids some good Salmon Fishing and pockets of Steelhead can be found.  In the early evening the drift boats float into Blackbar Lodge where a hot shower awaits before your evening beverages lead into general revelry and dinner.  After dinner, partake with your friends in games of cards before heading back to your cabin for a great night of sleep as you prepare for another day of fishing on the famous Wild and Scenic Rogue River.

Day 2 - 

After a hearty breakfast at the lodge we load back into the boats for a GREAT day of guided fishing. Usually today is where things really start to take off  with great fishing most of the day.  Today also includes a wonderful ride down through Kelsey Canyon, a beautiful bedrock gorge with incredible scenery.  At lunch today, if things have gone well, the group will enjoy their first lunch of fresh Steelhead and maybe a Salmon.  The afternoon is more great Rogue River fishing leading up to our night at Marial Lodge.  

Day 3 - 

Start off today with the most action packed, and arguably the most scenic, portion of the Rogue River trip with a ride through mule creek canyon.  Through this vertical wall gorge the river picks up pace before coming to it’s choke point at the bottom of a spot called the coffee pot, where the entire Rogue River condenses down to being 12 feet wide.  The drift boat ride through here is a combination of excitement and jaw dropping scenery.  As the canyon begins to widen we push down to Blossom Bar where riders will un-load and walk around the class IV boulder garden while the guides skillfully nagivate their drift-boats through the Rogue River’s most notorious rapid.  It can be fun during the walk around to stop and watch the guides run their boats through.

Below the rapid guests will meet back up with the guide who has loaded a small outboard motor on the back of the boat.  From here on the majority of the trip is either fishing or motoring down river to the next great fishing hole, ultimately meaning more fishing time.  Often the best fishing of the trip is found in these lower canyons.  In the early evening, after a hopefully productive day of fishing, the group will float up to Lucas Lodge where a delicious Prime Rib dinner is waiting.

Day 4 - 

The final day of fishing on the Rogue River is often some of the best.  Journey downstream another 15 miles through scenic gorges like cougar canyon where incredible angling of every type awaits.  In the early afternoon we will arrive at Quosatana Creek where the floating portion of our trip concludes.  Here we load into our van for a 3 hour drive back to our shop in Merlin Oregon.  You can also choose to have you car shuttled to Q Creek if you want to drive back yourself or head out to the coast on your drive.  If you want to do this just let us know.  There is a $150 fee for the shuttle.  Another option here is to book a private flight out of Gold Beach back to the Grants Pass or Medford Airport.  Doing this helps avoid the 3 hour drive and is a great option.  Just call us for details. 

The Wild and Scenic Rogue River fishing trip is more than just another fishing adventure.  The combination of the historic lodges, the world-class whitewater and the famous fishing make this trip something entire unique and a trip that will become your new favorite escape.