On the Rogue River…
The Rogue River was one of the original 8 rivers designated as ‘Wild and Scenic’ by Congress in 1968.
The Rogue’s headwaters (Boundary Springs) are at the base of Crater Lake, nearly 215 miles from where it meets the Pacific Ocean at Gold Beach. Its journey includes raging rapids, still water pools, deep canyons, and some of the world’s most impressive scenery. For you trivia buffs, Crater Lake is Oregon’s only National Park and is approximately 1932 feet deep. The Rogue River (or Patterson Memorial) Bridge crossing the Rogue River at Gold Beach was completed in 1932…and is 1932 feet in length!!
The Rogue has a long and storied history. Many small bands of Native Americans made their homes along its banks for thousands of years. The ‘Indian Wars’ of 1855-’56 resulted in the remaining natives being forcibly relocated to the Siletz Reservation up the Oregon Coast. At the height of the ‘Gold Rush’, $70 million was taken from the Rogue. The river has long been known for its outstanding salmon and steelhead fisheries. Commercial salmon fishing was outlawed in 1962.
The Rogue gained nationwide fame in the 1930s when many dignitaries and Hollywood stars discovered this incredible river. Amongst them were; Herbert Hoover, Zane Grey, Clark Gable, and Ginger Rogers. Zane Grey wrote several books while living along the Rogue River at Winkle Bar. His small cabin is still intact. Several more Presidents, Generals. John Wayne, Lloyd Bridges, and others were also visitors to the Rogue Country. Parts of several movies have been filmed on the Rogue River. ‘A River Runs Through It’ with Meryl Streep, ‘Rooster Cogburn’ and ‘Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid’ are amongst them.
Today, the Rogue River is a ‘Recreational Paradise’. Jet boat tours from Gold Beach to the base of Blossom Bar rapids and back are just one of the activities that bring people from all over the world to Gold Beach and the Rogue River Lodge at Snag Patch. Our Spring and Fall Chinook salmon runs are still amongst the best to be found. Oh yeah, let’s not forget about the Winter/Summer Steelhead, Coho salmon, trout, sturgeon, and perch fisheries. We’re catching fish year-round in the Rogue and the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Jerry’s Rogue Jets was founded in 1958 and was “The First Jet Boat Tour Company in America” Their competitor, the US Mail Boats, started much earlier but used oars, pike poles, sails, and outboard motors until 1959. Yes, the Mail Boats still carry the mail! Both companies are now owned by the same family. Between the two boat lines, they carry nearly 35,000 people each season between May 1 and October 15. These trips are highly-recommended. See details in our ACTIVITIES section.
Thousands and thousands more come to our area to fish the Rogue….but don’t worry, it is never crowded here. We are surrounded by millions of acres of unspoiled wilderness. Please see details in our ACTIVITIES section or visit www.goldbeach.org
Many others hike the Rogue River Trail from Graves Creek to Big Bend. Others enjoy a raft, kayak or drift boat trip through the ‘Wild and Scenic’ section of the river.
The Rogue River is a special place…come spend some time playing on the river and staying at Rogue River Lodge at Snag Patch.