The ninth annual Two Hands @ Tou Velle Spey Event will be held Saturday, September 21, 2013, from 9 am – 3 pm at the Tou Velle State Recreation Site, White City, Oregon. The recreation site is located on the Rogue River off Table Rock Road about eight miles north of the city of Medford, Oregon.

This is a great opportunity for all anglers to learn about two-handed casting and equipment, watch fly tying and line building demonstrations, try out two-handed rods and lines from manufacturers, and learn about Spey casting and fishing techniques. This year’s line up includes -

Charles Gehr – Fishing Guide, Fly Water Travel
John Hazel - Deschutes Anglers Fly Shop
Jon Hazlett – Steelhead Fly Fishing Guide
Whitney Gould – Steelhead Fly Fishing Guide, 3 Times Women’s Spey O Rama Winner
Mike McCune - a Real Skagit Master
Craig Nielsen - Guide and Switch Rod Expert
Jeff Putnam - FFF Certified Two-hand Instructor
Gary Anderson – Anderson Custom Rods
Bruce S. Berry – Beulah Rods, Hatch Reels
Steve Godshall - Fly Line Guru
Dennis P. Lee - Steelhead and Salmon Fly Tier
Eric Neufeld - Simms Factory Representative and Two-hand Casting Instructor

Local accommodations for Two Hands @ Tou Velle include the Comfort Inn North, 2280 Biddle Road, Medford, OR 97504, just off Interstate 5 and only 4 miles from TouVell, and camping at the Valley of the Rogue State Park off Highway 5, north of Gold Hill, Oregon. In addition, the Rogue River offers excellent summer steelhead fly fishing opportunities this time of year.

Lunch is provided free to all event participants and there is no cost to attend. However, Oregon State Parks charges a $5.00 daily entry fee or annual pass to the Tou Velle State Recreation Area.

Dennis

Just marked my calendar.

For those not framilier with Tou Velle Park it fronts some of the best 2hander summer run fishing water on the upper Rogue! Tou Velle Park is very easy to find, 10 minutes (+/-) drive from the main Medford business district. From the airport ... maybe five?

Personal fishing preference. From where the 'Clave is held go further up into the park 300-400 yards to the 'E' section sign. From there you wade (knee deep) to the top of the Island (at the 'Clave you're looking at the lower end of the island) and have at it. Salmon spawning on the top end of the riffle (you can't legally fish for them this far up river) but the summer runs pull in behind looking for free floating eggs.

I think you get the 'idea.'


Edit: Fish from the top of the island all the way to the bottom.

hope to make it up there - I leave shortly after for the Clearwater and Grande Ronde where I am happy to say both Mike and Whit will again be guiding us on an awesome float trip on the lower GR!! One of my favorite trips of all time

Admin. to pin this one up on the top. If you're with in two hundred miles, a place/date/time you want to be.

Fred

We will be passing thru over Labor Day weekend, most likely Saturday, on our way up to Vancouver Island. If I drop the misses off at the motel after dinner, how long is the park open? Is that egg drop in full swing already? I'd like to give it whirl, if it doesn't get crowded.

Legal fishing is one hour before sun up to one hour after sun down if memory serves. Early is 'better' at this point in time.

Edit: Bring a 1hander so you can fish right against the the bank/island you're standing on. The 2hander needs to go to the far side of the river. Getting there (other side of the river) is a bit complicated without showing/leading. 'Simples' if you've done it once.

Edit/Edit: It won't be 'crowed,' highly doubt you'll even see another guy/gal with a rod.

Fred

If earlier is better, than maybe Sunday morning before heading on to Port Angeles. Just googled the park with a satellite view. Fred, you are just a hop skip and jump from the river. The river looks good above the island around the corner as well. I am assuming that the paths and trails on both sides of the river makes it relatively accessible. Might just scope it out Saturday evening and wet the line the next morning. Thanks for the info.

Indeed it is. Just keep walking up to the east of of the parking lot and there's a well developed path along side the river. Have to make a guess here, but a couple hundred yards up is a long 'riffle.' Below the water are a series of up/down stream slots cut in the bottom rock (half way across the river). Every fish that moves up river will be going through these things.

Really hard to fish those things, VERY heavy fly off a floating dry line is the only way I've been able to do same. Bye the bye, skip a really long leader, 9' is enough.

fae

Another edit: There is really no 'trail' on the north side of the river. Google Earth (Earth view photo) has it right, google map dead wrong!!!!!!

Gitt, don't rule out the other side of the bridge, there is a nice slot you should be able to hit there, and your parking pass will cover you there also.

To keep this simple, the 'slot' starts right under the down stream edge of the bridge. Tou Velle is actually two parks, the south/up stream side of the river is where the 'Clave is held. (Just inside the parking lot). Across the river/down stream is the 'boat launch' area. Bit of a walk down stream (easy) to where the river 'necks down' through a shoot. Salmon stack up/spawn in the water above the 'shoot,' the Steelhead right below them. This long stretch of water is called 'Highbanks.'

Fred, Keep this info to PM'S LOL Just Kidding

Folks from the Fora going to make that kind of drive need solid info. Can't 'guarantee' they'll 'hook up' but give them the best chance possible. Well, thinking on that last statement a bit, best shot would be hiring you as a Guide.

(Young Man is good, like really, really good.)
Fred

I attended last year and this was a fantastic event. Demonstrations were first rate and free brats were a special treat. I plan on making the trip over the mountains again this year.
Last year I was able to land a pair of nice steelhead swinging up near the dam on my way to the event. Sounds like this year I might have to explore more around Tou Velle before and after. Should be a fun event.

I'll put a map together for some of you guys so you can hit some of the good water.

Hopefully I have an elk in the freezer before this event....