_— 
like the salmon, and sometimes he will drop into a pool after 
typical salmon fashion. His hang-out is most apt to be flanked 
rushing rapid of flung white water. When hooked he does not 
toe his pool, as a salmon is very apt to do, but makes at once for 
current. Whst that means im the tax on tackle any angler will 
very well 
The Mississippi River bass fishing, where one may 
bass five or tem minutes im the heavy current, is a of 
preliminary im the study of steelhead angling. The vigor of 
the line is something not quite understandable by the 
who has mever tried this particular game. Pound for 
own chosen conditions, the steelhead puts up a far fiercer, 
more difficult fight than does the most difficult 
salar im the highest-priced salmon river in the world. 
The Risk of the Sport 
He is, moreover, democratic. There are no salmon preserves on the 
Regue River as yet—it is opem water for all the world. Very likely it 
always will be. Certainly if you teok all the members of the 
salmon clubs of Quebec and put them on the Rogue River on the 
fish they would bring im at night would not always be very imposing 
the 
106 THE OREGON SPORTSMAN 
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im the total 
Time was when the steelhead could be reached from 
the Rogue River with fair success; but he has learned a thing or two 
im the fight for life and today he is a wise, wise fish. He keeps 
se that you are obliged te wade for him if you want him. If 
good-by'—the river gets you. Anglers do swim out of the Rogue River 
ozee in a while, because they have to swim; and no man who is 
bold swimmer has any business wading the Rogue; but sometimes 
in 
very wild water the angler does not get out. 
The writer fished with one skillful angler who admitted that he 
had lest a part of his nerve. ‘‘I saw my pal drowned before my eyes 
two years ago.”” said he, ‘‘and since then I dont go out so far.”’? Each 
year, at ome place or another, there is apt to be the record a life 
lest. 
Leeal anglers gradually learn contempt for the dangers Also. 
gradually they learm a sort of imstinct by which they can judge 
bettem of the river. Indeed, they know the bottom lke a book im 
more familiar reaches, which they often fish. 
I? you wish to see Rogue River steelhead angling at its best, there- 
fore, you had better go out with some of the more seasoned angiers 
of Ashland, Medford or Grants Pass, communities where this cult most 
flourishes. Im such communities ome can get very comfortable accom- 
modations and cam readily get directions for the river. The stranger, 
however. would be more or less helpless, and there are few 
fessional guides. He will find the angling sportsman of 
the soul of hospitality, ready to nelp him learn the game, 
so well convinced of the difficulty of the game as not to 
imeificiency of the beginner. 
In the Rogue River Valley it is sometimes hot im the 
ome hundred, one hundred and two, one hundred and five, 
and mo one knows what im the sun. The heat does not 
sive, but it has a tendency when continued through 2 term 
weeks to drive the fish out into the deeper water. Very early 
or late im the evening will be the best times then to angle 
heads. Throughout the day one might not get more than 
strikes im reward for patient casting. 
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