Rogue River

[I'mInOhio]

Gents,

I'm new to the forum and new to Michigan fishing. I'm an extremely flyfisherman and have fished everywhere from the Rockies in Alberta to North Georgia trout streams. I currently reside in Southeast Ohio and I'm a regular visitor to the one trout stream in the area, I'll be coming up to Rockford this weekend with my girlfriend and figured that I may as well try my luck on the Rogue. I've been up to Rockford with her several times but have never fished the area. I was wondering if anyone out there has any advice for me...what can I expect to catch, what patterns should I fish, what techniques, should I even bother fishing the Rogue? Are there any better streams in the area for trout? I'd really like to catch a nice steelhead while I'm up there. I'll only have part of the day on Saturday (maybe 4 or 5 hours) so I can't drive very far. Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

James K. Masson

[Fishndude]

When you get to Rockford, just ask anyone where the dam is - if you don't happen across is immediately on your own. You will quickly see exactly where to fish in Rockford. The usual Winter stuff will work. Bait often gets more action than artificials. If you ask about other access points, you will surely find someone who will give you directions. It is not far from the dam in Rockford to the confluence with the Grand. Expect company wherever you go - it is that time of year.
6th St dam on the Grand is an easy spot to get to, and find fish. It is not real conducive to fly fishing, unless it is wadeable. However, you can pitch bait or hardware from shore on either side. There actually is good water on both sides for quite a way downstream of the dam. That is easy to figure out, too, and there are plenty of bridges if you want to cross to fish the "other" side.
Waders will give you a lot more options than just standing on shore in warm boots, especially on the Rogue. The early bird gets the best shot at a hookup.

[I'mInOhio]

Thanks for the reply. I plan on getting on stream at about 6:30 for the sunrise. I know exactly where the dam is, I drive over the bridge everytime I go to my girlfriend's house. I have often thought about fishing the Rogue when I go up there but never have...I think it's mostly because I have just been too lazy to go out there because I always carry my waders and 7 wt. with me wherever I go. I plan on wading the river and using mostly streamer patterns and maybe some midge patterns...I guess it all depends on what I see in the water. Thanks again.

Cheers,

James Masson

[ZFeesh]

Hey James, midges and streamers may work...you never can tell, but with the temperatures as cold as they are most fly fisherman are drifting egg patterns under a strike indicator. The fish are just too cold and lethargic to chase anything, but if you dead drift a streamer and land it on their nose you might get lucky. The way the forecast looks, luck is definitely going to be a factor. Not saying its not worth it, in fact I may head out myself, but to enjoy fishing in the winter you have to really beleive that you "just enjoy being out"...with a fish being pure gravy. Sometimes sunrise and first water is good, but in the winter sometimes the slightly warmer temperatures of the afternoon turn the fish on. You can get flies and good advice from the guys at the Great Lakes Fly Fishing Company close to Rockford. (www.troutmoor.net) Good Luck!