Page 65 - Southern Oregon Magazine Fall 2022

If you need a little more bait to be lured into the Rogue River scene, the
legend, lore, and history usually hooks even the most difficult to catch
skeptic. As part of the original eight rivers set aside in the 1968 Wild
and Scenic Rivers Act, the Rogue has an epic beauty and aesthetic that
is almost unmatchable.

Van Amburg explains: “It was a place natives retreated to when there
was nowhere else to go so it has some names that get used for it such as
Illahe [Chinook language for Earth] motherland. The world class factor
for outstanding wildlife, natural beauty and historical value and heritage
in the river life of hermits, outlaws, and prospectors. Nowhere else in
the lower 48 will you predictably see as many bears alongside the river.
The trials, tribulations, and tradition of running challenging water in
a wooden drift boat. On top of all that, the salmon on this river have
been exceptionally huge throughout history. These are just some of the
compelling factors that entice visitors to the Rogue River every year.”
Just ask Zane Gray or Glen Wooldridge.

For many, today and since time immemorial, fishing on the Rogue
River, or anywhere, is a sacred act. Van Amburg echoes this sentiment
noting, “If there is one thing I would choose to give to someone whom
I wanted something from in return, it would be smoked salmon. It hits
so many happy buttons, and it has been used to trade and barter for tens
of thousands of years.”

fall 2022 | www.southernoregonmagazine.com 63