2-21-12   Finally getting the message that Mother Nature may not deliver an average winter here in Southern Oregon the Bureau of Reclamation turned off the tap in the Rogue River & Applegate Lake until we see more of the fluffy white stuff at higher elevation. 900 cfs coming out of Lost Creek Lake and I think around 100 cfs coming out of Applegate Res.

Real low flows always makes the Applegate very tough. Fish tend to keg up in certain spots and just get hammered until they’ve got enough water to move on. You’ve really got to be first through the holes for the day or forget it at these flows, I can personally attest to that. If you’ve got private water or a hidden honey hole you can have banner days though.

The Upper Rogue will be a good bet in the lower flows as fish filter in. Easy to get around and very fishable for the fly angler. I was on the Upper Rogue today and the tribs are flushing pretty good from recent rains so the river is pretty colored up. Will be back to good color in a day or two I’m sure. I would give it another week or two before declaring it “on” as we are still seeing fish come in and the concentrations aren’t great yet. That said, I have heard from a few of the areas better anglers getting into a couple to three fish for a days drift. Oh! Almost forgot to mention the March Browns hatch has been spotted in several spots throughout the upper river. This is a favorite hatch for local trouters on the Upper Rogue. Makes for a fun day casting dries to rising fish between Steelhead holes!

One from the Holy Water

I was up at the Holy water today trying to get in on a mid day mayfly hatch and found a few fish working. As usual my mid Steelhead season trout skills were below average and I missed all 3 takes I had to the dry. All three were very nice fish. This fellow here I got on flashback PT nymph - he was no slouch either. I am always amazed at the quality of fish up there. I saw some fish working dries that were easily 20″. And yes, they are that &$#*ing hard to catch.

Please call the shop for more specific info if you are coming to fish the area! Thanks! 541 488 6454

 Feb 9th, 2012 by Charles Gehr

Gear Swap!!

We will be having our annual Gear Swap & Sale  Saturday & Sunday, March 3rd & 4th at the shop!

This is an excellent opporunity to get into some great used gear at great prices! Event begins at 10 am when we open the doors and as in previous years we will have goodies & coffee on hand.

I’ve got quite a few rods to put out from Sage, Redington & more as well as reels from top manufacturers. Gear bags, fly lines - spey & single hand, Fly Tying Materials & Tools, accesories etc. We will also be having a huge Fly Sale with many pattens going for $.50! This has become a clearing house for the shop so expect to see some great demo & lightly used equipment in there as well!

Lots of good stuff priced to sell!

We want your Used Gear - here’s how it works!

Jon Hazlett

Many of you are familiar with local Steelhead guide Jon Hazlett. As part of Confluence Outfitters, Jon is one of our areas most sought after guides for the Rogue and other area rivers. Jon also leads most of the Two Hand casting classes we offer at the shop throughout the year. Jon will be on hand to assist with the class!

This class will also include a complimentary Understanding Spey Lines presentation to be held after hours at The Ashland Fly Shop Saturday the 17th. This on it’s own would be worth the price of admission. Beverages will be provided.

This class will cover casting from both sides of the river. A shore lunch & snacks will be provided. All casting levels are encouraged to attend. There will be plenty of info here for every level!

George Cook is one of the biggest personalities in the world of Fly Fishing and has truly “been there and done that” and is happy to pass along his experience. Lets again show George and Sage that Southern Oregon/Northern California has got it going on in the 2 handed casting world!

What: Two Handed, Spey casting instruction with George Cook & Jon Hazlett

Where: Tou Velle Park on the Rogue River

When: Saturday March 17th Spey line talk 5pm - 7pm - Sunday March 18th  Class  9am-5pm

Cost: $150

Couple of nice wild Upper Klamath Steelhead taken Sunday before the big game. just walking into a couple of my favorite spots around I5.

great Upper Klamath fish... on the swing!

bright fish...

We are stoked to announce the dates of our 2012 AFS Fly Tying classes. This year we have partnered with Master Tying instructor, Dan Kelllog! We have a couple of  Beginners classes, a childrens class and category classes for the more experienced tyer.  Scroll down for details, dates & costs!!

Dan Kellog at his very organized desk!

 Saturday, January 28th  - Beginning Fly Tying  $20

Saturday, February 11th - Dry Flies $50

Saturday, February 25th - Childrens Beginning $20

Saturday, March 17th - Nymphs $50

Saturday, March 24th - Beginning $20

Saturday April 14th - Intermediate Fly Tying $30

Saturday April 28th - Stillwater flies $50

Saturday, May 12th - Dan’s choice $50

Beginning & childrens classes - Classes will take place at The Ashland Fly Shop from 10am - 2 pm. This will be an introduction to the craft of fly tying. You can expect to learn to tie a a nymph, dry and streamer fly. All materials and equipment will be provided. More detailed info is availible by calling the shop!

Intermediate Fly Tying - This will be a continuation of the beginners class - this class will be a bit longer and more intensive. You will be expected have taken Dan’s beginning class and/or have a command of the basic techniques. The Ashland Fly Shop from 10am -4:00pm.

Category classes - Classes will take place at The Ashland Fly Shop from 10am -4:30pm. Students will need to bring their own vises and tools as well as basic materials (threads, some hooks, hair/fur/feathers). You will cover as many as a half dozen patterns thoroughly. Dry flies may include duns, cripples, spinners, adults etc. Dan is an excellent, meticulous tyer so expect both challenge and reward!! More detailed info will be availible as the classes approach or by calling the shop!

1-21-12 Well, we got what we asked for with this storm. Lots of high water all around the region. Lots of happy, splashing fish on the move now - we’ll see what the deal is once flows settle down, not sure when that will be though as there is more wet stuff in the forseeable forecast.  Time to tie some flies!!

Click here to visit this usgs site where you can scroll over these plot points and get flows.

Reservoirs are filling fast now...

Please join The Ashland Fly Shop at Tou Velle Park on the Rogue River the 3rd Sunday of every month from 10 to 1 ish for a gathering of spey casting enthusiasts & local instructors! Were putting this together to help people with an interest in Spey Casting to get a first hand look at the techniques as well as those who’ve already taken the plunge an avenue to get tips & feedback on casting issues.. and for fun!  Call the shop for more info! 541 488 6454

AFS Employee Jake Crawford and the Sage VXP 6129

We’ve met in October & November and had a strong turnout each time. We hope this will turn into a cool regular event where people can come and get some insight into this increasingly popular technique.

Good form Brauner!

We will have lots of different Rods and Lines on hand from different manufacturers for you to demo. Sage, Winston, Airflo, Rio etc..

Bob Furry gives us the goods

Greg picks up some tips from Local guide Tony Brauner

 Please give us a call at the shop for more info!! We hope to see you!! 541 488 6454 

You can bet anytime we get a big high pressure system bearing down on our region the Steelhead fishing is going to suffer somewhat. Clear, bright days and cold water have the fish hunkered down a bit. Nymph fishing techniques are really working well now as the fish don’t seem to want to chase anything further than their nose. A story emerging this year is the size of the fish… lots of very large, wild fish being caught.

 That being what it is I snuck out with the good Doctor Pena for some killer trout fishing Southern Oregon style. No shortage of fishing options right now…

Nice Fish Eric!

Temper that smile big daddy!

Next day at the Holy Water on the Rogue lucked into a fantastic Mayfly hatch. Big fishing sipping dries… Holy water is a great bet through the winter. Good hatches of BWO’s & midges.

# 14 Parachute Adams... what else?

Thanks for looking!!  541 488 6454

10-18-11  Fishing has picked up and we are seeing some great results as fresh fish continue their migration up the Rogue. As per usual, nymph fishing under an indicator out of a driftboat is putting impressive numbers up on the Rogue. Swinging flies is still producing well in likely spots but as the water temps in the river cool and more fish move into the deeper slots nymph fishing becomes very effective. Weather is stable and very comfortable and looks to be that way for a while. Must be October in the Rogue Valley - Wish you were here!

It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing

Sweet

Steel Head

You will not out fish this dude