This tactic is favored by Darren Roe of Roe Outfitters. “You can use either just eggs or just sand shrimp or a combination -- which we call a shrimp cocktail,” he said. Reach him at RoeOutfitters.com, or phone (541) 884-3825.

Knot a 3-way swivel to your main line. Attach 24 to 30 inches of leader, terminating at a 1/0-4/0 single hook. Attach a sinker (1/4 to 4 ounces) to the other leg of the swivel. Fix an adjustable bobber to the mainline.

Thread the sand shrimp all the way up the line, then put eggs in the egg loop and let the shrimp drop down on top of the eggs. Roe employs 24 to 30 inches of leader and 50-pound braided line. He greases the line with floatant. That way you can mend the line as a flyfisherman would and keep the bait drifting naturally with the current. Fish the bait at or slightly above where fish are holding in the water column.

Adjust according to the depth, knowing that even though the hole may be 15 feet deep, you might want to be fishing only 6 feet deep.

Pay close attention to your float. Bites can be powerful, but may also be soft. At the slightest movement, set the hook.

“There’s no doubt about it when the bobber goes down,” Roe said, then offered one more tip. When he has several people in the boat, he uses different-colored bobbers for each person. “When we’re fishing a back eddy, the bobbers might make a daisy chain, and it’s easy to lose track.

“One moment, you’re watching three bobbers. You look away for a moment, then look back and there are only two!”

In the springtime, Roe looks for two different types of water-- traveling water and holding water. “I catch over half of my salmon in traveling water,” he said. “Those fish that are moving are the most aggressive.”

Traditional holding water is 6 to 30 feet deep in holes that may be 20 feet to 200 yards long. Such places hold numbers of fish where they stack up. If the fish are fresh, getting them to take the bait or lure is easier than if they’ve been there awhile. Stay on the move until you find the biters.

In April, Lobster Creek and Quosatana Creek upstream to Agness is where most of the locals spend time. Here, anglers change tactics and anchor up to fish spinners or anchovies.

“Virtually any inside corner is a good run,” Roe said. “You’re looking for 4 to 6 feet of water. Anchor one side of your boat on 4 feet, and the other on 6 feet. If you miss that mark by more than six inches, you’ll be out of fish.”

If you fish spinners when the weather’s sunny and the water’s clear, use gold or brass. When it’s murky and overcast, try a dark green and fluorescent green.

RAINIE FALLS TO GRANTS PASS
Spinner fishing is effective upstream, as well. Brass and copper-plated spinners in No. 4 and 5 work well throughout the river.

Rainie Falls is one of the best bank-angling hotspots in the lower middle Rogue. The road crosses the river at Grave Creek, the upper limit of the Wild and Scenic Area, and there are trails on both banks downriver.