The Rogue River in Southern Oregon begins its journey from a flowing stream in the Cascades; it then travels over 200 miles through the heart of the Siskyou Mountains The last stop before the Pacific is Gold Beach, a small seaside community along the coastline of Southern Oregon.  Well-known for its world class salmon and steelhead fishing, the town is also home to the State’s only Mail boat hydro-jet trips. 

It all began in the late 1800’s when early miners and settlers to the Rogue River Canyon had no way of communicating with the outside world.  Walter Wade has been piloting these jet-boats for over 30 years; he talks a little about the history of the mail run.  WALTER WADE: IT STARTED IN 1895 AND THEY DID IT ON A TRIAL BASIS FOR 2 YEARS AND IN 1897 THEY GOT THE FIRST CONTRACT WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO DELIVER THE MAIL FROM GOLD BEACH TO AGNESS, WHICH WE STILL DO TO THIS DAY. 

The company offers four options for jetboat rides up the mighty Rogue River beginning in early May, running through mid-October.  There’s the original 64 mile postmans run, a whitewater filled 80 mile special delivery run, all the way up to a thrilling 100 plus mile trip up the down-staircase, properly entitled, “handle with care.”   Along the way, our pilot points out some of the wildlife making their homes along the river.  Bird watching is a favorite pastime in the area and the region is home to at least 250 species.   

SOUNDBITE WALTER WADE:  THIS IS THE REAL THING.  ITS FINE STUFF. AND  ITS MY RIVER AND IM GLAD TO SHARE IT WITH PEOPLE.