This week I travel into a remote section of Oregon noted for amazing scenery along a wild and scenic river that’s home to big fish; a recipe for a spectacular trip into Oregon’s Rogue River County.

Our small party included my videographer, Jeff Kastner, plus my lifelong partner, Christine McOmie. We were enjoying a “slice of heaven on earth” touring the river with Denny Hughson leading the way toward just the right place to set anchor and intercept Spring Chinook salmon.

As we gazed up to towering black basalt canyon walls, it was hard to imagine anyone scratching out a living in such terrible terrain, but they did and Hughson still does – he’s one of a handful of guides who can lay claim to guiding on the Rogue River for nearly half a century. Fishing for trout, salmon and steelhead has been a popular Rogue River pastime for more than a century and began as soon as young men dared to row wooden boats down the river’s rapids.

The Rogue River’s Spring Chinook run continues to draw anglers from across the country too. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Todd Confer, explained that Rogue River wild or native spring Chinook are protected and anglers are not allowed to keep them, while anglers are allowed to keep up to two hatchery salmon.

Editor’s Note: Grant’s Getaways is a production of Travel Oregon brought to you in association with Oregon State Parks, Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife and Oregon State Marine Board. Episodes air Fridays and Saturdays on KGW Newschannel 8 and Saturdays on Northwest Cable News Network.