After a long drive to White City to pick up my drift boat from Pavati, Steve, my sales rep, and I went on a quick afternoon float to break in the boat. We launched at Touvelle State Park and drifted to the take out at it think the name is Gold Ray, not quite sure. It was about a five mile float. According to Steve, the water was very low, and that may make the fishing a little tougher.

Right out of the gate we side drifted down the far side of the launch, and had a decent hit that didn't stick on an orange side drifting rig with sulfite cured roe. Soon there after we caught a nice resident rainbow, probably around 14 inches. Steve was kind enough to man the oars so I could fish, which was really cool considering I don't get a chance to fish the Rogue every day.

We pulled plugs and bobber dogged down for a while, and found the spot about 3/4 of the way through the drift at the mouth of Bear Creek where I got slammed by a nice baby native, probably 5 or 6 pounds but the girl put up a great fight. Steve got a kick out of my Temple Fork signature series rod and my hook set with it, the light rod makes smaller fish fun to fight. A quick picture and we let her swim free.

We hit the hole hard looking for another taker, but nobody wanted to play. Towards the takeout, Steve said there was a rock where we were sure to hit a fish that was his "secret" spot, and we were planning to drift down to hit it a couple times. Of course, the boat before us had hit it and got their only two fish of the day from it before we got there, so we ended the day and met Chuck with the shuttle back to Pavati.

Not a bad day for a quick drift. This is a gorgeous river and I look forward to finding my way back here in the future. Apparently the run is just starting, so it's early yet. The folks down in Oregon sure do have some beautiful scenery to fish in!

Nate Treat Fishing
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"Specializing in Fishing Instruction and Shore Guiding on Washington's Rivers."
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