Applegate Outing

As we have done in the past, we will start the Applegate Outing by meeting for breakfast at 8:00 AM on Saturday March 16 at the Shari’s Restaurant on the corner of Agness Avenue and the Grants Pass Parkway.  If you don’t want to eat, be there by 9:00 AM. We will caravan to the river from there.

Bring your fishing gear, waders, rain jacket, polarized glasses, lunch, and water. Single-handed, switch, and smaller Spey rods in the 7 to 8-weight range are suitable for the Applegate. Pack your floating and sink-tip lines and bring a variety of nymphs and Standard steelhead patterns.  As I said above, the Applegate River is very well suited to nymphing techniques. An effective setup is to use a large, heavy nymph, such as a salmonfly nymph, with a size 10 A. P. nymph, hare’s ear, pheasant tail, or similar fly on a dropper. For those that want to swing flies, traditional steelhead patterns, egg sucking leeches, and smaller intruder-style flies work well. Many people feel having a little chartreuse on the fly helps when fishing the Applegate, no matter which technique you choose.

Because it is so productive, I will spend some time during the outing discussing proper nymphing techniques, as well as going over when, where, and how to fish the Applegate River.

As I said above, no matter which club you belong to; feel free to attend either or both outings. Between the two, you will have the opportunity to experience two outstanding, but different steelhead fisheries, and get an introduction to the two common techniques for fly fishing for steelhead. If you are already familiar with the rivers and techniques, come out for a pleasant day on the river with friends, and maybe share some of your knowledge with some of the newer members.

 David Haight, Host: 541-855-9043, tmdrhaight@infostructure.net

Allie Scott, Contact: 541-479-4175, AllieGPO@aol.com