Oregon Fishing Reports ยท Southwest Region
Below Lost Creek Dam, the upper Rogue runs past the hatchery to Shady Cove, with steelhead, salmon and big resident trout.
Looking for the latest Upper Rogue River report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the Rogue River โ Lost Creek to Shady Cove.
Current flows
Wind forecast
Upper Rogue River fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
The McLeod gauge reads around 1,000 cfs, clear and cold.
Steelhead are in the upper river. Egg patterns, stonefly nymphs and swung flies all work.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Lost Creek to Shady Cove, bring: Egg #8-12, Pat', s Rubber Legs #6-10, Woolly Bugger #4-6, JuJu Baetis #18-20, Zebra Midge #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-20, Black Beauty #20-24, Squirmy Wormie #12-14, Scud Bomb #14-16.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Upper Rogue River details
| Access | Cole M. Rivers Hatchery, Casey State Park and access points down to Shady Cove. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 1,400 ft |
| Nearest town | Shady Cove, Oregon |
| Best season | Fall through spring |
| Fish | Steelhead, salmon and trout |
| Regulations | Special fly-only seasons apply on part of the upper river. Steelhead and salmon rules change often in season. Check the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations and in-season changes before you go. An Oregon angling license is required for anglers 12 and older, plus a combined tag for steelhead and salmon. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 2X to 3X tippet |
| Camping | Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area |
| Kids | Partly. |
| Good to know | Very busy near the hatchery during runs. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Winter steelhead.
Spring
Spring Chinook.
Summer
Summer steelhead.
Fall
Fall steelhead.
How to get there
From Medford, take State Highway 62 north to Shady Cove and Casey State Park.