News Archives
Fishing Trips Press Release
Local outfitter Morrisons Rogue Wilderness Adventures earns accolades in the latest edition of nationally recognized fishing publication. As fall ushers in the beginning of world-class fishing opportunities on the Rogue River, local outfitter Morrisons Rogue Wilderness Adventures anticipates a very busy season thanks in part to an article in this month’s issue of Salmon & Steelhead Journal. Journalist and fishing enthusiast Terry W. Sheely chronicled an epic multi-day trip on the Middle Rogue River in his recent feature story. His detailed account sings the praises of his experienced Morrisons guide and the unique opportunity he had to pursue the rare half-pounder steelhead found only in three rivers on the entire continent. “We were really pleased with the article,” explains Morrisons Director of Operations Andrew Pratt. “Locals and longtime visitors know what an exceptional experience fishing on the Rogue offers. Gaining the attention of a new national audience from the Journal article is really exciting.” Morrisons employs a team of 14 professional guides and fall is by far the busiest time of year for fishing. Guides specialize in a variety of fishing techniques such as single and double hand fly fishing, spin casting, bait bouncing, the Rogue River twitch, and pulling plugs. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced angler, Morrisons’ fishing trips are customized to ensure a fantastic experience for all. Multi-day Rogue River canyon trips offer the solitude of wilderness fishing with spectacular scenery, thrilling whitewater, and gorgeous fall weather. Trips are 3 or 4 days and cover up to 64 miles with nighttime stays at local wilderness lodges. Morrisons Rogue River Lodge trips can be customized from 1 to 4 days and utilize Morrisons Lodge as a home base. “We really do have something for everyone,” exclaims Pratt. “The spectacular beauty of the Wild and Scenic Rogue River and our exceptional guides make for an unforgettable fishing experience.” Morrisons has been leading world-class rafting, fishing, and hiking trips on the Rogue River for over 50 years. They are Southern Oregon’s premier river adventure outfitter, working daily to protect and preserve the majesty of the Wild & Scenic Rogue River.
Salmon & Steelhead Journal: Half-Pounders and Summer-Runs
Salmon & Steelhead Journal Terry Sheely shares the story of his 3-day odyssey with Morrison’s Rogue Wilderness Adventures on the Middle Rogue, famous for its half-pounders and hard-fighting adults. [Vol. 15, Issue 4, Page 52] Interested in a Fishing Adventure of your own? Reserve Today!
The Lamprey
What are Lampreys and Why Should I care? WHAT IS A PACIFIC LAMPREY AND THEIR LIFE CYCLE: Pacific lampreys are an anadromous parasitic creatures from the Pacific Coast of North America. They are a jawless fish that look like eels in appearance and can grow up to 31 inches. They are not eels, but a uniques specie all their own. They have teeth, and are scaleless with elongated bodies sucking at the bottom of the river and eating animals. lampreys spend the majority of their lives as larvae. Juveniles and adults have a jawless, sucker-like mouth that allows them to become parasitic on other fish, attaching themselves with their suckers. The adults live at least one to two years in the ocean and then return to fresh water to spawn. They are pretty cool creatures they have a similar pattern to salmon and are just as important; yet overlooked by our community and deemed as un-important. WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT THIS? Lampreys are very important to our river ecosystem. Pacific lampreys, like salmon, return important marine nutrients to the freshwater systems in which they spawn and die. Lamprey larvae are also known as a food source for other fish and birds. Another theory is that adult Pacific lampreys may act as a buffer for migrating adult salmon from predation from marine mammals. Pacific lampreys remain important to the Native Americans both culturally and as a food source. Today, Pacific lampreys are used for research, education, and anticoagulants. (https://www.fws.gov/columbiariver/publications/Pacific_lamprey_importance.pdf) WHAT IS CAUSING THE LAMPREY TO BE ENDANGERED? Pacific lampreys are vulnerable to habitat losses due to reduced river flows, water diversions, dredging, streamed scouring, channelization, inadequate protection of stream side vegetation, chemical pollution, and impeded passage due to dams and poorly designed road culverts. They are also being preyed upon by other non-native fish in the area and also poor water quality. All of these habitat losses also create a vulnerable river all around for other creatures living in the river as well. It is important to keep our rivers clean, and dam free, so in order to become more knowledgable is to educate the community and ourselves of these pressing subjects. HISTORY OF THE LAMPREY The tribal people used the lamprey for food and medicine, and many stories and legends surrounding the lamprey were passed down from generation to generation. As lampreys disappear, younger tribal members are losing their elders’ collective memory for the species and the culture that surrounds the lamprey. (http://www.critfc.org/fish-and-watersheds/columbia-river-fish-species/lamprey/) WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP THE LAMPREY We need to educate ourselves and our community on the elusive fish. Salmon and steelhead are well known anadromous fish, however, lamprey are also in the same category and are an important part in our river ecosystems too. They get a bad rep for their looks, and their parasitic behaviors, but we still need to help protect these amazing ancient fish. Rogue Riverkeepers is having a Speaker Series on lamprey Thursday, April 27, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm at the Headwaters/GEOS Building, 84 4th st. Ashland, OR 97520. Also, check out the Colombia River Inner-Tribal Fish Commission and their efforts to re-introduce the fish in numbers. The Pacific lamprey are considered a Species of Concern because they no longer exist above dams or other impassable barriers. If we provide passage ways for the lampreys and try and control the complexity of the channels we can hopefully start to re-populate the rivers.
Sharing the Rogue River
Jak Wonderly our favorite photographer is on property this week helping us share our wonderful place.
Dinner at Morrison’s Lodge
Have you had dinner on the deck at Morrison’s Lodge? Come join us for one of southern Oregon’s best 4-course gourmet dinners! Visit this link to view our 6 day rotating menu and call and make your reservations today! 541-476-3825