hey SFMike,
Ditto what Rick J said
The North Umpqua in the winter is big water. At least to my perspective. The holding water primarily consists of ledge-bound slots and deep tailouts just like in the summer, but everything seems "amplified" in the winter due to the reduced clarity, speed, and volume. In such a situation I feel most confident fishing something with a BIG profile. Rick J's "Tandem Tube Leeches" (see earlier post in this forum) would be perfect.
If you are used to fishing the summer run, all your favorite runs will be too fast or even a rapid unless the water is really low. The only exception to this would be the Boat Pool. Boat kind of looks like Boat to me in the winter. It is a whole different river in the winter. Really beautiful up there this time of year, more so than the summer if that is possible? All of the tribs are pumping and everything is super green. Not many people, and no gear guys running over the top of you while side-drifting the opposite bank! (at least not up in the fly-only water). It is still a really tough gig and I would anticipate fishing out MANY un-answered casts, but if you catch the water right you'll have a very good chance at hooking up. North Umpqua winters seem to be a "grabby" race of steelhead. Is it just me or does it seem like the furthur north you go the more responsive the winter run fish are to a swung fly presentation? Good luck! Matt.
Church of Wild Steelhead!
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