Spring king salmon fishing on the lower Rogue River near Gold Beach, Ore., is the best in years, reports guide Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing (www.wildriversfishing.com).
Boats are catching a total of 60 fish a day on the lower river. Fish are averaging 15 to 20 pounds, with some in the high 20s. Around 2/3 of the catch is hatchery fish. Anglers can keep two hatchery fish a day.
During high water conditions, which have been frequent this spring, the best fishing has been near the old mill site, known locally as The Willows. Jet boats are anchoring in 4 to 6 feet of water and running Rogue Bait Rigs, an anchovy combined with a spinner blade.
When water conditions drop, and during the afternoon, the best fishing has been near Elephant Rock.
Anchovies have been hard to come by in Southern Oregon, so some anglers are using herring or sardines with fair success.
The key to catching springers is getting baits to have a tight spin, fishing them in the seam between the slow water and fast water.
Fishing should continue to be good through May and into ealry June.
The famed bay fishery at Gold Beach, where anglers catch fall salmon trolling in the Rogue Bay, usually begins in July.
