2019 OFFICERS

PRESIDENT COLE TIDWELL

1ST VICE PRESIDENT BOB FORRESTER

2ND VICE PRESIDENT DOYLE NELSON

SECRETARY VIKKI STRAHAN

TREASURER EVE PHELAN

PAST PRESIDENT STEVE WILEY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dave Bailey –3

Shirlee Chesmore - 3 Linda Chilton - 1 Jennifer Clark –2 Greg Clarke—2

Chuck Closterman –1 Beverly Fording –1

John Gaskill –3 Judy Lollich –2 Keith Miller –2

Frank Urbancic– 1 WEB MASTER-

LINDA CHILTON NEWSLETTER EDITOR-

Inside this edition: Presidents Comments 1 Calendar of events 2 Election results 2 Guides 3 & 4 Sponsors 5,6 & 10 Tips n’ Tails 7 Bragging Rights 8 & 9 Membership application 10

http://www.rogue-steelheaders.org/

MIDDLE ROGUE

STEELHEADERS

President’s Comments:

VOLUME 30: ISSUE 12 December 2019

I’m looking out my office window and watching the snow falling for the last 5 hours. I

have a feeling this really might be the historical storm that is being forecast.

Our Christmas Awards dinner is two weeks away, and I look forward to sitting down

with our Steelheader family to enjoy a wonderful dinner among friends and recognize our

peers that have contributed to our success.

I had a chance to do a ride along with Butch Chilton yesterday checking our line collec-

tion stations on the Rogue. I had the same job when I started in the club over 13 years ago.

Butch has done a wonderful job with all the additional line collection stations he has add-

ed. It was a three hour task and I really enjoyed it.

Maynard Flohaug and I started, along with Bob Turner, the Take a Vet Fishing program

10 years ago. It is time to pass this wonderful event on to two new members. We would

like two volunteers to mentor in 2020. It is an easy job and we would be happy to coach

you.

We are also in need of a club secretary and newsletter chairman. Two very important jobs

that must be filled. Please contact me or Doyle to volunteer.

The Steelheaders have always been a very special club to me. In 2006 I had just moved to

Rogue River. In May, I was waiting to meet my new doctor when I noticed a man with a

Steelheader hat on sitting across from me in the waiting room. I started up a conversation

and by June I was a member of the club. Thank You Bill Hickey.

I want to thank all of you for a very rewarding time in my life. Please support the new

officers and board. Your first Lady Chris and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. God

bless you all.

Cole Tidwell

VOLUME 30: ISSUE 12 Page 2

All club general meetings will

be held at:

AllCare Health

Community Room

1701 NE 7th St., Grants Pass

On the 3rd Wednesday of each

month at 6:30 PM

Calendar of Events

12/4 BOD Meeting

Elmer’s at 6:30PM

12/9 Annual Awards Banquet

Christmas party

GP Country Club

1/1 BOD Meeting

Taprock at 6:30PM

1/15 General meeting

Did you know the

Middle Rogue

Steelheaders

have a Facebook page?

https://

www.facebook.com/

groups/4765739225

01356/

Welcome New Officers and Board Members

On November 20th, club members in good standing elected the following

officers and board of directors’ members for 2020.

For the Officers: President, Doyle Nelson; 1st Vice-President, Jean Gaskill;

2nd Vice-President, Carl Cole; and Treasurer, Ron Lefler. There was no one

elected for the Secretary’s position. Coleman Tidwell will become the Past-

President. Officers are elected for one-year terms.

For the Board of Directors: John Blackledge and Jeff Eddings will go into

the two-year terms. Jim Gollob, Bill Lorch, Valentina Scibilia, and Mike

Simmons will go into the three-years terms.

Current BOD members who are continuing their service: Jennifer Clark,

Greg Clarke, Judy Lollich, and Keith Miller will move into the one-year

term positions. Dave Bailey and Shirlee Chesmore will move to the two-

year term positions.

BOD members who have finished their terms and have elected not to con-

tinue are Linda Chilton, Beverly Fording, and Frank Urbancic. We sincere-

ly thank them for their service to the Board of Directors and to the various

Committee Chair positions that they have filled.

The Middle Rogue Steelheaders is much more than a fishing club. We’re

also a social club, a conservation club, an angler education club and a com-

munity service club. In 2019, club members were involved in over forty

separate projects and events, and we produced over 6,000 hours of volun-

teer work related to fishing, conservation, restoration and enhancement of

the fishery, personal safety, veteran’s recognition, and the fund-raising

needed to make all of this happen. It takes a lot of dedicated club members

to keep the Middle Rogue Steelheaders working smoothly. We are looking

forward to another productive and satisfying year in 2020, and we’re count-

ing on getting the help we need from all of the members to make it all come

together. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!

Doyle Nelson

VOLUME 30: ISSUE 12 Page 3

The Middle Rogue Steelheaders wish to thank the guides and businesses listed in our Newsletter for their generous do-

nations .

Guides listed on these 2 pages register annually with the state of Oregon to certify that they carry the minimum liability

insurance required by law, they have current First Aid and CPR training and if required have a US Coast Guard

(USCG) Operator License and/or Surety Bond.

VOLUME 30: ISSUE 12 PAGE 4

Matt Judkins

Guided salmon & steelhead fishing trips on the Rogue,

Chetco, Umpqua, Coquille, Elk and

Sixes rivers Call (541) 621-8851

Harold Hansen 541-761-4115

https://ca1268.wixsite.com/secretsguideservice

VOLUME 30: ISSUE 12 PAGE 5

BLT SHUTTLE SERVICE

Brandon, Lynn & Tanner

Day Shuttle on the Rogue Between

Gold Hill to Grave Creek

Over the Mountain to Foster Bar, Hog Eddy

& Q Creek

galiceblts@gmail.com 541-659-2212

http://morrisonslodge.com/

VOLUME 30: ISSUE 12 PAGE 6

Briggs Guide Service 2938 Foothill Blvd

Grants Pass. Oregon 97526

541-472-0581

Rafting & Fishing Adventures

3 & 4 day Wild & Scenic Trips

Rogue River Boat Shop 1815 S.W. Bridge St

Grants Pass, Oregon 97526

541-479-1504

Bret Clark

VOLUME 30: ISSUE 12 PAGE 7

December 2019

Fishing the Ledges in low clear water

This fall has been very dry, resulting in very low and clear water conditions. So, how do you fish for steelhead in these

conditions? Here’s a synopsis of a STS article by Scott Haugen. For the full version of this article see the Salmon, Trout,

Steelheader website.

WHY LEDGES?

Whether fishing the Umpqua, the Rogue, the Deschutes River or any other bedrock laden rivers this time of year, the com-

fort lies in knowing fish are there, usually tucked tight to ledges. The number one reason steelhead are attracted to the

ledges is protection; they feel safe there.

Not only do ledges allow steelhead to hide from predators, they also offer much needed shade. Even a degree or two in

water temperature can offer steelhead relief, and holding in shade is preferred over being in direct sunlight. Ledges keep

steelhead shaded for longer periods of time than just about any other habitat these fish hold in.

This equates to fish being among shaded ledges later into the morning and earlier in the afternoon, which extends optimal

fishing times. It also means that if the angle of the sun is just right, fish will actually be holding tight to the shaded ledges,

creating greater fishing opportunities that can span the entire day.

Another feature ledges offer steelhead are a steady, consistent water flow. Once steelhead find the areas along ledges

where the water flow is not laden with boils, they can more easily hold there, whereby conserving energy. This less taxing

water is what attracts fish and keeps them there. Once you catch a fish along a ledge, mark precisely where the bite came

from–and just as importantly, where the cast hit to achieve the drift–and you’ll catch more from that same spot in the fu-

ture, guaranteed.

JIG THE LEDGES

Try using an 1/8-ounce purple and blue jig along a ledge. One of the advantages jig fishing ledges offers is that it can be

done effectively without attaining ideal casting position. In addition to Jigs, fishing ledges with spinners or spoons is also a

great option. Just remember to retrieve the terminal gear Slooowly!

SWING PLUGS IN TIGHT

Working plugs along ledges can also be very effective. If in a boat, back trolling plugs tight to ledges works well if the

water conditions allow the boat to be in proper position for making the presentation. But in rivers like the Deschutes,

where only bank angling is allowed, plugs still have a place. There are two ways I like presenting plugs along ledges when

fishing from shore. First is standing on the inside of the ledge (close to shore) and bringing the plug towards me. Second

is wading into the river and working the plug past me, in towards the ledge or shoreline.

Drift Fishing

The best advice I have here is to be sure and use enough weight. If fishing ledges with too light of a setup, the terminal

gear gets tossed about in the boiling currents and eventually kicked out of the target water. In fact, if the presentation is

too light it will never reach the target water. Drift fishing ledges can be done from one of three positions: From the near

shore you’re standing on, from the outside edge of the ledge, and from across the river. Of the three, my favorite is casting

opposite the shore I’m standing on and working the face of the ledge across the river. For this I like a casting rod where I

can easily let out line to ensure the terminal gear finds the bottom as it’s sinking and simultaneously being carried down-

stream.

Chuck Closterman

VOLUME 30: ISSUE 12 PAGE 8

BRAGGING RIGHTS

Kevin O’Malley and Dave Grosjacques

fishing with guide Rob Yuen 11.5.19

Carl Cole caught this 22 lb & 38”

at Brookings Harbor

Dick rice with a 36-inch salmon caught yesterday in Brookings while fishing with art Uecker

11.6.19 Rob Yuen took Chuck Closterman out on 11.14.19. Kept this one and released the other rainbow color hatchery buck.

VOLUME 30: ISSUE 12 PAGE 9

November General Meeting

Clockwise from top left: Guest Speaker, Brian Barr with Rogue River Watershed Council, Chuck Closter-

man presenting certificate of appreciation, Ron Terrazas giving a safety demonstration., Randy Holbrook

presenting the Gold hook award.

Club members making wreaths.

VOLUME 30: ISSUE 12 PAGE 10

You will

Learn how to catch more fish!

Learn where and when to go!

Participate in conservation and enhancement projects!

Participate in Youth and Adult Angler Education

Participate in club-sponsored river and lake fishing trips!

Participate in Meetings and Social Events New Member _______ Renewal _______ Change _______

Name: _________________________________________________ Spouse: _________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________ Help us conserve resources. Include your email address.

City: _________________________State: _______Zip:__________ SEND APPLICATION AND PAYMENT TO:

Telephone: _____________________________________________ MIDDLE ROGUE STEELHEADERS

Membership

Email: _________________________________________________ PO Box 962, Grants Pass OR. 97528

Payments may be by personal check, bank draft or money order made payable to Middle Rogue Steelheaders. Do not mail cash. Credit cards payments are not

accepted however, you can sign up via PayPal on our website: http://www.rogue-steelheaders.org/

MIDDLE ROGUE STEELHEADERS

P.O. BOX 962 GRANTS PASS, OR 97528

2019 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

1 YEAR MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

___ Individual Rate $ 36.00 per year

___ Family Rate $ 58.00 per year

___ Corporate Rate $100.00 per year

___ Guide Rate $ 20.00 per year

OFFICE USE ONLY

Date Paid ___________

Amt Paid ___________

Cash _____ Ck # ______

Rec’d by ___________