This is an excellent destination to escape the Rogue Valley heat this weekend. Every week through Labor Day, 3500 rainbow trout will be stocked between Prospect and Minnehaha Creek. The Rogue and tributaries above Lost Creek Reservoir remain open year-round, with a retention limit of 5 trout. Stocked trout in this reach are not fin-clipped.

Great techniques up here include throwing small Panther Martin spinners or small hooks with a single Pautske fire egg under a bobber. You also can’t go wrong fishing nymphs up here, or nightcrawlers under a bobber.

Flows above Prospect are 351 cfs, about half of the long-term median of 635 cfs. Many of the reaches in this section of river have bed rock crevices and wading can be tough. However, there are great trails and openings along the river throughout the stocked reach, which provide good access. The river gradient lessens above Farewell Bend toward Minnehaha Creek.

Smoke has been heavy at times in this area due to the local wildfires in the nearby Umpqua and Klamath basins. ODOT trip check maintains a camera at Union Creek (OR62), where you can get an idea of weather and smoke levels. 

The Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest Lands have now entered extreme fire danger and implemented Stage 2 fire restrictions. Campfires can only be within USFS constructed concrete or metal fire rings in designated recreation sites. Commercial stoves fired by liquid fuel or propane are permitted. More information on Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest lands can be found on their website or calling the RRSNF office.