The Hatchery Hole re-opened on Aug. 1, and is open to fishing for steelhead and trout, but remains closed to Chinook. 

Wild Chinook can be retained if caught below Dodge Bridge. No wild Chinook can be harvested upstream of Dodge Bridge at any point in the year. Through the rest of the year, Chinook fishing is closed from Dodge Bridge upstream to Cole Rivers Hatchery, which includes catch-and-release. Chinook are being caught downstream of Dodge Bridge, and the stretch down to Fishers Ferry is open through Aug. 31.

Anglers are catching trout and summer steelhead. Anglers can only retain hatchery trout (5 per day) and hatchery steelhead. Last week steelhead was most productive downstream of Elk Creek. With the slight bump in flows this week, steelhead should be moving. Current water temperatures are creating pretty prime conditions. 

Given current water levels, drift boat anglers should be aware of Rattlesnake Rapids between Dodge Bridge and Modoc. For the novice, it’s a good idea to float this section with an experienced boat handler. The Denman Wildlife area on the Modoc access site (north bank of river) is a good float if one doesn’t want to deal with Rattlesnake.

As of Aug. 4, 35 spring Chinook brought this year’s total to 1,848 fish, far below the long-term average but closer to meeting broodstock needs. It’s likely around 80-85 percent of the Chinook return for the year has entered the hatchery.

Sixty-eight fresh summer steelhead also entered the ladder bringing the total to 705 fish for the year. This is roughly 25-30 percent of the likely run size for the year. There are still a few weeks before the first re-run of hatchery summer steelhead takes place. However, anglers are picking up steelhead throughout the upper river while fishing k9 plugs (or equivalent), drifting nightcrawlers, casting spinners, or dead drifting nymphs.                                                                          

Flows coming out of William L. Jess Dam have bumped back up to 1,529 cfs in anticipation of this week’s hot weather. The upper river temperature is 55.9 degrees F. 

Locally-owned and operated tackle and fly shops in Medford, Shady Cove, and Ashland have excellent gear and very fresh bait, local flies and knowledge that is specific to the Rogue and to your particular technique. Go check them out and offer them your support.

For the latest fish counts, call into the Lost Creek Reservoir hotline or check the MyODFW.com fish counts page.

Wildfire smoke has been very heavy in the Shady Cove area as of late. For the most current releases of water out of Lost Creek Reservoir, call 1-800-472-2434. For real time streamflow from USGS gauges on the Rogue click here.