Copyright 2010 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The North Fork of the Umpqua
River Oregon
The North Fork of the Umpqua River Oregon has thirty
miles of fly fishing only water. The river provides one of
the most scenic areas in the Northwest. Summer run
steelhead arrive in from late June and are in the river until
the end of October. These are wild and hatchery fish. The
month of September can be too warm for good fishing but
it picks back up in October.
Winter run steelhead are in the river in late Winter and
early Spring. They come into the North Fork of the
Umpqua River in January. The fishing peaks in February
and goes through the first part of March.
Spring Chinook salmon are present from April through
October. They can be fished for from the mouth of the
river to the fly fishing boundary from January through
July. The fishing is best during May through July. The fly
fishing only section is closed to Chinook salmon fishing.
There is also a good Fall Chinook salmon run.
There's some very good trout fishing in the upper North
Fork of the Umpqua River. You will find the best trout
fishing above the Soda Springs Reservoir. Rainbow,
brook and brown trout are present. Below Soda Springs,
trout fishing in the main part of the North Umpqua is
catch-and-release only to protect sea-run cutthroat.
This river has gone through some huge changes. It was
once filled with runoff sediment. Its headwaters have been
damed but today, it flows cold and clear. The North Fork
of the Umpqua starts high in the Cascade Mountains at
Maidu Lake. Its water comes from the outflow of Diamond
Lake as well as melting snow. It makes a one-hundred
mile long trip through beautiful canyons. Finally, it flows
together with the South Umpqua and forms the main
Umpqua River.
The North Fork of the Umpqua River is restricted to fly
fishing only for thirty-one miles from the boundary
markers above Rock Creek to the Soda Springs Dam.
The river is accessible from roads that closely follow the
river all the way from the forks to Lemolo Lake. You can
access the North Umpqua to its headwaters at Maidu from
the Kelsay Valley Trailhead. Forest roads follow the North
Umpqua inlet of Lemolo Lake. The section of water
between Crystal Springs and Lemolo has some good
brook trout and brown trout fishing. A forest road
accesses this area.
The lowest part of the North Umpqua River is bordered by
private land. It is usually fished by boat only. The most
popular area on the lower section is from Amacher Park
to below the Wincheser Dam. Salmon and steelhead can
be caught in this area. There's about a mile of fishing
access in the Whistler's Bend County Park. Bank fishing
is available for about two miles along the Old Glide Road
off of highway #138.
From above Rock Creek to the Soda Springs Power
House it is fly fishing only. Steamboat Creek is closed to
steelhead fishing because it's a prime spawning area.
The bend of the Umpqua River, including the Steamboat
intersection, is a very popular area. It's a few hundred
yard stretch called Camp Walter. It's heavily fished by
anglers that stay at the famous Steamboat Inn.
Seasons:
The season is open year-round but it's species dependent
Spring:
Spring Chinook arrive in April but check the regulations.
Spring is a great time for trout in the headwaters.
Summer:
Summer run steelhead fishing is great and so it the trout
fishing in the headwaters. Chinook fishing where the
season is open.
Fall:
There is a Fall run of Chinook but check the regulations.
Good trout fishing in the headwaters.
Winter:
The winter run steelhead fishing is great. It peaks in
February. Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies
River Oregon
The North Fork of the Umpqua River Oregon has thirty
miles of fly fishing only water. The river provides one of
the most scenic areas in the Northwest. Summer run
steelhead arrive in from late June and are in the river until
the end of October. These are wild and hatchery fish. The
month of September can be too warm for good fishing but
it picks back up in October.
Winter run steelhead are in the river in late Winter and
early Spring. They come into the North Fork of the
Umpqua River in January. The fishing peaks in February
and goes through the first part of March.
Spring Chinook salmon are present from April through
October. They can be fished for from the mouth of the
river to the fly fishing boundary from January through
July. The fishing is best during May through July. The fly
fishing only section is closed to Chinook salmon fishing.
There is also a good Fall Chinook salmon run.
There's some very good trout fishing in the upper North
Fork of the Umpqua River. You will find the best trout
fishing above the Soda Springs Reservoir. Rainbow,
brook and brown trout are present. Below Soda Springs,
trout fishing in the main part of the North Umpqua is
catch-and-release only to protect sea-run cutthroat.
This river has gone through some huge changes. It was
once filled with runoff sediment. Its headwaters have been
damed but today, it flows cold and clear. The North Fork
of the Umpqua starts high in the Cascade Mountains at
Maidu Lake. Its water comes from the outflow of Diamond
Lake as well as melting snow. It makes a one-hundred
mile long trip through beautiful canyons. Finally, it flows
together with the South Umpqua and forms the main
Umpqua River.
The North Fork of the Umpqua River is restricted to fly
fishing only for thirty-one miles from the boundary
markers above Rock Creek to the Soda Springs Dam.
The river is accessible from roads that closely follow the
river all the way from the forks to Lemolo Lake. You can
access the North Umpqua to its headwaters at Maidu from
the Kelsay Valley Trailhead. Forest roads follow the North
Umpqua inlet of Lemolo Lake. The section of water
between Crystal Springs and Lemolo has some good
brook trout and brown trout fishing. A forest road
accesses this area.
The lowest part of the North Umpqua River is bordered by
private land. It is usually fished by boat only. The most
popular area on the lower section is from Amacher Park
to below the Wincheser Dam. Salmon and steelhead can
be caught in this area. There's about a mile of fishing
access in the Whistler's Bend County Park. Bank fishing
is available for about two miles along the Old Glide Road
off of highway #138.
From above Rock Creek to the Soda Springs Power
House it is fly fishing only. Steamboat Creek is closed to
steelhead fishing because it's a prime spawning area.
The bend of the Umpqua River, including the Steamboat
intersection, is a very popular area. It's a few hundred
yard stretch called Camp Walter. It's heavily fished by
anglers that stay at the famous Steamboat Inn.
Seasons:
The season is open year-round but it's species dependent
Spring:
Spring Chinook arrive in April but check the regulations.
Spring is a great time for trout in the headwaters.
Summer:
Summer run steelhead fishing is great and so it the trout
fishing in the headwaters. Chinook fishing where the
season is open.
Fall:
There is a Fall run of Chinook but check the regulations.
Good trout fishing in the headwaters.
Winter:
The winter run steelhead fishing is great. It peaks in
February. Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies
| Type of Stream Tailwater Species Steelhead Trout Chinook Salmon Coho Salmon (Few) Size Large about 100 miles long Location Northern Oregon Nearest Towns Bend Season Year - round but species dependent Access: Good Non-Resident License State of Oregon Weather National Weather Service Link Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies |
 | |  | |  |
Free Shipping Continental U. S.
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
"Perfect Fly"
Pacific Coast Steelhead Flies
"Perfect Fly"
Pacific Coast Salmon Flies
Pacific Coast Steelhead Flies
"Perfect Fly"
Pacific Coast Salmon Flies
| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |