At the Rainie Falls fish ladder on the Rogue River in 2025, I got stuck at the bottom while blocking the channel and had to lever hard on my oars to get free.
Video: Raine Falls Fish Ladder on the Rogue River By Jacob Linkhart 2025 on the SOLWYRX Paddlesports YouTube channel.
Disclosure: SOLWYRX Paddle Gear sells Sawyer gear, and I earn money when you buy it here.
About the fish ladder
Rainie Falls is a Class V drop about two miles below Grave Creek. Most boaters skip the main falls and run the Class III fish ladder channel on the far right (The Mountaineers). It's narrow, rocky and easy to hang up in, as I showed back in Rainie Falls fish ladder 2023.
Getting free
Stuck at the bottom and blocking the channel for everyone behind me, I used the oars as levers against the rocks to push the boat off. My Sawyer oars held up to it, which shows how tough they are. To be clear, that's not a recommendation: levering oars against rocks is hard on any oar, and you should only do it when you have to. Afterward, check your blades and shafts and fix any damage with a Sawyer DIY repair kit.
My oars are Sawyer DyneLite XD MXS. More on caring for them in Gear Care 101.
Source: The Mountaineers, Rogue River: Grave Creek to Foster Bar
Personal trip report: flows, wood and hazards change, and what worked for me that day isn't a rule for your boat or group. Check current conditions, scout, and boat within your training.
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Updated October 28, 2026 · By Jacob Linkhart, owner of SOLWYRX Paddle Gear · Spot a mistake? Email me and I'll fix it.
