N Umpqua report

[Rick J]

Hit the N Umpqua this weekend - fished Sat/Sunday/Mon AM.

River is low and it was hot so that made for tough conditions though there are a good number of fish over the dam (around 6000 fish). Most of the fish are supposedly stacked in and just downstream of Steamboat but that is where most of the crowds are. I was actually surprised as it was not that crowded - Managed one wild fish around 6# on Sat and had one on Sunday that pulled loose after a couple of head shakes and nothing Monday though a number of runs I wanted to hit had folks in them.

Still a great trip - I really love this river - tried skating early mornings and evenings but both fish came on sink tips and marabous.

[jayclarkflyfishing]

I was on the N Umpqa two weeks ago.The camp water was busy but I was able to fish it on a few occasions.I rose a large fish to a dry in the Upper Boat.But I was unable to come tight.In 5 days of fishing I was able to land one(4#) and hook one other and I had 8 other grabs.Plenty of fish in the river and the river has a good flow for this time of year.I love that river!Jay

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

The North Umpqua River is one of the most beautiful places in the world and it has Steelhead in it now.

July through October is the popular time to be there.

I would get out with a guide up there if possible.

Joe Shirshac said that the river can go wild if you get a little rain up there this time of year.

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I was very lucky to have been able to fish it with Mike McCune about 20 years ago. Mike use to camp there for 6 weeks during the summers back then.

He would get up early and swing something dark in the tail outs for a few hours.

Then he would come back for a break, tie flies and eat.

He would go out again for a few hours at 1:00pm when most were eating lunch. He fished mid-day with a sinktip and a black rubber legs nymph.

Then he took another break and went out in the PM and fished swinging on top for the last hours up till dark.

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Mike grew up around my shop and has been guiding the premiere lodges in Alaska for over 20 years. He also guides and teaches Skagit style two handed fishing in WA and OR.

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Mike works with Scott O'Donnell

http://www.scottodonnell.com/

http://www.piscator2.homestead.com/tp.gif

[Rick J]

Mike says he has a photo of Brett Jensen lowering me a beer on a fly line off the bridge above camp water from way back then!

Regs are ever changing up there - no weighted flies but you can still use sink tips. After October 1 you can go to weighted flies through the winter