Umpqua River Fishing Report

Craig Nielsen, Shasta Trout Guides

For a few years now Craig and Jerri have enjoyed a tradition of friends and family joining them for a week of steelhead fis hing on the Umpqua River in Oregon for Craig’s birthday. This year we celebrated Craig’s second 60th, which one friend noted makes him 120 years old (and he can still fish reasonably well!).  We enjoyed our best fishing (and catching) in recent memory and most every angler found a fish or more, including even Craig who managed to land a birthday fish.

The Umpqua is steeped in tradition and is famous in the lore of the sport so the camaraderie for us is what it really is about.  We most enjoyed telling some long fish tales about our success or lack of it during cocktail hour, a breakfast at the Steamboat Inn or one of our afternoon potluck BBQ’s.

A great trip for family and friends who don’t fish as well, some folks took hikes, biked, toured Crater Lake, swam, or whitewater rafted.  A few folks new to the river, as well as a couple not so new, opted to fish with some great local guides who we heartily recommend, Rich Zellman and Tony Wratney.  A big thank you to Dan, Ed & Melinda, Joel, Tim & Judy, Gui, Rick, John and Tim for helping to make this year one of the most memorable visits ever.