North Umpqua?

matt95 · 06-15-2012, 03:03 PM

Hey guys,
Now that summer has finally arrived, I have to start thinking about where I want to focus my efforts for summer steel. I've fished the NU flywater before, but without any luck. When do good numbers of fish usually start showing up in or above the campwater? I prefer hiking the trail then focusing right below steamboat. Anyhow, I can't wait to spend some time camping and fishing this beautiful river this summer, I just need to know when I should focus on getting there.

Thanks,
Matt

shawn k · 06-15-2012, 03:26 PM

It varies from year to year. But IMHO there are usually fish around the second week of july. You are going to have better luck lower down in the river than the camp water.

matt95 · 06-15-2012, 04:50 PM

yeah I figured the lower water would have the most fish. July would definitely be the best time scheduling wise. Plus, those will all be pretty bright fish. Thanks for the info.
Matt

Grantspastor · 06-15-2012, 09:10 PM

In a typical year there will be fish in the river by the last week of June. I fish from Colliding Rivers to Whistler's Bend, and have done well in that week. Probably not too many fish up high that early

TheWaker · 06-16-2012, 08:47 AM

Or you might fish it early and find one of these
http://nuflyguide.blogspot.com/

C-lice · 06-17-2012, 06:14 AM

I have caught fish at Famous and the flats in mid-to-late June. My earliest Steamboat fish (from Mott Bridge) came on July 8, 2007. He was also my largest summer steelhead.

There should be an above-average run this year is sounds like, so it might be good earlier.

CWOregon · 06-19-2012, 03:14 PM

I camped 10 miles up Steamboat Creek on July 4th weekend a couple years ago and the creek was loaded with steelhead already. There was a deep "holding" hole where we were camped and when snorkeling through it there was a school of probaby 20 fresh, bright summers in it. That was each day and I doubt they were all the same fish sitting there for 3 days as they could have easily shot up out of it if they wanted, we floated down in to the hole on inner-tubes. I start fishing for them below the fly boundary in early July usually. Havent gotten in to fly fishing for them.