
February 2008
2/27/2008
FEB.26,2008
Hello Scott. My
friend Rex and I got
out on the high spot
out of Coos Bay.
What a beautiful
ocean, with hardly
any drift. 3 boats
were out there with
limits for all, 10
fish total. One boat
had a 35# hen,
I would never have
kept it this close
to spawning season.
The ling on the left
was 40" and weighed
20 IBS. More reports
to follow. That
fishery ends March
31. Catch you
later.
Rick Middleton

Good day to you too Rick :). Some beautiful Lings your sporting there, the ocean looks like it was in great shape too. I appreciate your thinking about the spawner's. We need to do what we can to keep our fisheries in good shape for generations to come. I know it's important to me when I check out of this planet that I did something to make sure my kids and their kids would get a chance to experience the same great times out there that we all did. Thanks for thinking of all of us here at fish works and sharing your fishing trip with us.
2/27/2008
Hey Everyone,
Fishing the South Umpqua last weekend caught a nice chrome stealhead. Unfortunately now that these new regulations have been past, we had to let this one go. Can’t wait for these restrictions to be lifted!
“May the holes in your net be no larger than the fish in it.”
Chad O.
Nice catch Chad. I know it's tough having to toss them back but we have to look out for the future populations, those natives are the key to it all. Half the fun of fishing is just getting out in the great outdoors. Reeling in a fighting steelhead is just icing on the cake. This weather is making for some great days on the water, maybe luck will put a keeper or two in the smoker ;).
2/26/2008
Scott,
Thought I would let you know what's up on the Loop since reports seem to be a little slow coming in. Still getting fresh fish everyday as you can see in the photo but the numbers are way down. The river level is still high for drifting, the color is phenomenal and the water temp has remained around 42 degrees for a couple weeks. we've been plugging and side drifting. No Bass yet however they should start poking there heads out soon.
Todd Harrington
Hi Todd, you are correct the reports have dropped off a bit this week. Was pleased to see yours in the email this morning. Glad to here that things are percolating on the loop, sure is a beautiful steelhead. Still no bass or "Springers" hehe. Kind of early for them I suppose but sure starting to feel like spring is here :). If the weather keeps up like this the Bass will be jumping and biting pretty soon too. I sure appreciate you taking a moment to email us and let us know what's up in your part of the world.
2/20/2008
Hi Scott,
Haven't fished the last week as I've been working. the Millicoma is now running low and clear, with that in mind I went to one of my favorite deeper holes close to home and coaxed this 39"x20" 20lb. Native out of hiding with a pink corkie and peach egg combo. he was released unharmed after the photo was taken.
Tight lines to all
Robert

Well I figured you had to work sometime. Someone has to pay the bills. Nice to get out there and make good use of the time we do have not earning a living. Sure is a beautiful fish. We have read your reports here at fish-works for along time know and know how careful you are in the catch and release process. It's great to be able to catch them on a camera. Good memories in later days when we can't get out there as often as we want anymore. As always we appreciate you sharing your fishing trips with all of us.
2/19/2008
Hi Scott
Hit the trifecta this week-end: Amy & I golfed in glorious sunshine on Saturday, skied the slopes on Sunday, and I took my buddy Troy steelhead fishing on President’s Day. Can’t get much better than that! Troy & I caught 3 nice metalheads on the South Umpqua today, and broke off a fourth really big fish in nasty water. One nice hatchery buck came home with us today. We caught two fish on eggs, two on yarn balls. It was a beautiful day on the river today!
Rod Lathrop
A weekend just doesn't get much better than that Rod. I was taking a hard look at the Siuslaw yesterday, it's still running a little high and not the best visibility but it's much improved from what it was a few days ago. It looks like our burst of sunshine and blue skies is going to be replaced with a cloud overcast and of course more rain :). Can't be sunny here all the time, there is a price for all this green. Should be warmer temps, just going to be a little wetter. I sure appreciate you sending in your pictures and reports. Those steelhead are bright and shiny.
2/18/2008
Hi Scott,
A little late but here's pics of some chromers caught on the Siuslaw early last week. Hooked seven, boated eight (all of which were natives, thereby assuring a kiss and a quick release to go and do their thing!). The natives with a few hatchery fish are still coming in and there are fish around!
I attended the fish allocation process in Salem on February 8. This was regarding the Columbia system which includes the McKenzie and upper Willamette, in the neck of the woods where I presently reside. The allocation process is an ongoing (ie: never ending) work in progress, but I'd like to invite all the sports fishers who read your reports to take a look at and give a thought to joining and supporting the CCA (Coastal Conservation Association) if they haven't already done so. We had several hundred members show up at the meeting to support limiting/ending gill nets on the Columbia as well as limiting the incidental catch of all salmon and steelhead in other Northwest river systems. The CCA has been around for some time and done a lot of good on the South and East coasts of the US. They got stripers and redfish listed as a game species. Gary Loomis of G Loomis Rods helped bring them to the Northwest. Now it's time to take advantage of what Gary did and get active and involved here in our own individual home river systems. As recreational fishermen (and this can include target specific commercials as well) we need to take an interest in our own fisheries as well as how our migratory fish are harvested to the north of us: read that as Canada and Alaska. A number of studies indicate that Oregon's runs of salmon and steelhead over the past two or three years have been dramatically impacted by fishing/harvest practices to the north. This is not to say that habitat, management and other practices play no role, but that over fishing and harvesting to the north has had an impact on the number of our fish that return to home waters.
If any of your
readers are
interested in
getting more
information on
how to become
involved with
restoring our
fish runs they
can get
additional
information at:
Click Here For
More Info on
what you can do
to help
The least we can
do as avid
fishermen/fisherwomen
is to help
assure that our
children and
grandchildren
have a chance to
fish for and
catch those
beautiful
salmon,
steelhead and
searun
cutthroats that
are a part of
our heritage as
Oregonians.
Tight lines!
Lauran
hey Lauran thanks for the report and pictures. I am with you, we need to support the rebuilding of our fish populations and do everything we can to maintain good numbers for many years to come. I would hate to think of a world where my grand and great grand kids couldn't experience the thrill of hooking up with a steelhead or salmon, or all the other fishing we enjoy here in Oregon for that matter. If you don't have the time or energy to get in there and hands on help out, then contribute a little to the folks who do. I like to think that this site helps that process in a small way, by promoting various events throughout the year that provide funds to these organizations, and of course I part with a few bucks out of my own pocket every year as well. I'm sure allot of our regular readers will see this post and your link, I am equally certain that allot of them will see their way to toss a few bucks in the kitty too. Think of it as investing in your, children and their children's futures.
2/15/2008
Fished the Slaw this
Friday the 13th .
Caught this beauty
on a pink
weighted corkie on a
hot pink hook. First
cast to follow
hooked,
played, then lost
another around the
same size. Lots of
aerobatics to
make for a great
day. Lots of boats
as usual.
Peace Rick
Hi Rick, wow what a great catch, that picture defines the word steelhead. I hadn't heard from anyone that has been fishing the Siuslaw in a bit. I know the waters were starting to shape up nicely with the nicer weather we have gotten the past few days. Thanks a bunch for the photo and the report.
2/11/2008
Hi Scott,
Here is another
Umpqua River
Beauty and a
shot of my
arsenal, even in
the high dirty
water. plugging
has been highly
effective with
the recent
weather change
I'm even having
thoughts of
Springers!
somebody hit me.
Todd Harrington
Hey Todd nice to get another report from the Umpqua, you are picking up some really nice steelhead up there this year. Your guest must be very pleased with fish like this one :). I think we might be a tad premature for Springers hehe but I can sure appreciate your enthusiasm. Thanks for sending in another picture and report. I was worried you might not, after some folks tried to lecture you on catch & release tactics. Follow that link to an earlier report from Todd Harrington so that there is no confusion about how your fish are handled. ;).
2/11/2008
Hi Scott,
Fished the
Millicoma the
8th and 9th. the
bite was red hot
with 10+ fish
caught each day.
a lot of bright
fish still
entering the
system with the
majority of
fish landed
being natives.
we still managed
to tag out for
both days using
a pink corkie
and eggs again.
here's pictures
of myself and my
friend Andy with
a nice chromer.
Tight lines to
all
Robert


Hello there Robert, you have been working the Millicoma steady this month and for good reason. You seem to be pulling some real nice fish from there this year. I was comparing with reports from last year and it appears that this year has been more productive for you over there. I sure hope this is indicative of the other runs this year. We got plenty of rain and snow this winter so river conditions should sure be good, now all we need is for the rest of nature to be kind. As always, thanks for sharing the pictures and reports with all of us, they are appreciated.
2/11/2008
Hi
Went out
Saturday and
caught this nice
32" Steelhead on
the Elk.
Weather was over
cast.
Dave
Hello Dave, nice fish, I'm sure that must have been a fun one to reel in. Glad to hear the Elk is still active. The weather the past few days is lending itself to some better water conditions but more rain on the way I understand, so folks need to get out there and get to it while it last. Thanks for the report and photo Dave.
2/9/2008
Hi Scott,
Thought you might
like to see the
metal head that I
landed on Friday the
8th. Got it on the
Siuslaw using roe.
This hen was 10lb's
and it took
awhile to bring her
in. The water has
been high and muddy,
but if you keep
tossing the bait in,
it will eventually
bounce off their
nose and then
they bite.
Later
Sunny
Hey there Sonny, what a great looking fish. I hear you, I have been keeping a pretty close eye on the Siuslaw and it is finally starting to settle down some, a day or two more like we had today and it could come in to great shape for a few days of steelheading. Thanks for sharing your report with all of us here at Fish-Works.com. We all appreciate the reports that our members take time to send us. I am constantly amazed by the growing number of regular and new visitors to our site. We hope to hear from you again.
2/9/2008
Hi Scott,
Took my friend Bill Spiry on the South Umpqua today and had a ball. We caught four fish; brought two nice hatchery hens home. All fish today on pink and orange yarn balls with a little bit of sand-shrimp gel for good measure. Beautiful day on the river – we should have more like today!
Tight Lines,
Rod Lathrop
Hi Rod, I'll second the motion on a beautiful day. The sunshine and blue skies were a welcome sight this morning and what a great way to have spent the day. I was sure pleased to see some more reports roll in today. Old Robert has been keep us afloat so far this month. Saw the Robins show up in droves the other day, signs of spring are in the air, and not a moment to soon. Looks like, from the pictures that allot folks decided to get out there and take advantage of the nice day. The fish sure look healthy. Hearing mixed reviews on our spring salmon runs, some saying hot, some saying not , only time will tell. Thanks for thinking of us, great photos.
2/6/2008
Hi Scott,
Here's my report for the 5th. didn't have the action that we did yesterday but I managed to catch 3 and tag out by noon with a nice 14 lb. Hen. used the old reliable pink corkie with home cured eggs once again.
Tight lines to all
Robert
I'm starting to think you may the only one out there fishing this month. Do you cure your own eggs or use a ready made mix? You will have to share your recipe one of these days if you do your own cure. Can't thank you enough for providing us with some great reports this month. It has kept the boards up to date with fresh info for our visitors to read. I would imagine many will be making their way to the coast for some fishing this month. If we get a break from the rain they will start showing up in droves.
2/4/2008
Hi Scott,
Here's my report for the 4th on the Millicoma. the water level is dropping nicely with 1-2 feet of visibility. the Steelhead are showing in good numbers now. we were in the right place at the right time today as it was non stop action for most of the afternoon. 2 of us caught over 20 fish today with about half being Natives. here's the 2 hatchery fish I took home, 1 Buck and a 15# Hen.
Tight lines to all
Robert
Hey there Robert, you been saving me this month with your reports and I assure you it is very much appreciated. I would say you were in the right place at the right time, sounds like your arms will be aching for a week after all that rod wrestling :). Glad to hear the water is continuing to shape up and that the run is strong. I am hopeful that this will be indicative of all the rest of the coastal runs to come later this year. I can almost smell the smoker from here.
2/1/2008
Hi Scott,
Fished the Millicoma this afternoon and caught these two hatchery fish as well as several natives on a pink corkie with eggs. the river is running high with about 6" of visibility. there should be some good fishing as the river drops back into shape.
Tight lines to all
Robert
Hi there Robert, I see you found your camera ;). Great to hear from you. The weather has been pretty wild the past few days. I saw a few brave souls out there working the river the other day during some of the hail, sleet and snow showers. I guess we know who the dedicated fishermen are at this time of year. Sounds like you had a pretty good time out there anyway. As always we look forward to your reports and the pictures are always a plus. Thanks for the report.
February 2007
02/22/2007
Hi Scott,
This was published in the Eugene Register-Guard in
the Outdoors Section. If you can post it, that
would be great. With that many fish stolen, someone
out there gotta know something.
Thanks, Huan
From the Register-Guard
Published: Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Steelhead stolen from Whitaker Creek fish trap
Oregon State Police game law enforcement officers
are seeking the public's help in tracking down the
person or persons responsible for breaking into the
Whitaker Creek Fish trap last week and stealing an
estimated 100 winter steelhead that would have
provided brood stock for future runs. The theft
occurred sometime Sunday night or early Monday
morning, Feb. 11-12. Fish in the trap were to have
been spawned the next day. "That was going to be one
of the biggest egg-takes of the season, especially
the wild fish," said fish biologist Jeff Ziller, who
estimated the fish would have weighed an average of
8 pounds apiece. The Oregon Hunters' Association
offers a reward in such cases, according to police.
In addition, the local Northwest Steelheaders board
was to discuss offering a reward at its meeting
tonight in Eugene. Anyone with information is asked
to call the Turn In Poachers hotline, (800)
452-7888.

I for one sure hope they catch the folks involved in this and throw the book at them. What a terrible loss for all of us here on the coast. Those brooders and their eggs will in a significant way impact the steelhead population for generations to come.
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Scott
02/19/2007
Hi there Robert, sure glad to get your report, it's been quiet for about a week now. The weather stirred things up for a few days but it seems to have settled back down a bit yesterday and today. It never ceases to amaze me how fragile these water systems are and how much a few degrees difference in water temperature or a storm can have on fishing activities. As always, thanks for keeping us in mind and sending your photos and reports.
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Scott
Scott,
Thanks again for posting the Clean-up info. It was
a very successful day. We had about 15 people and 6
boats and we covered about a mile. Special
thanks goes to the Gardiner STEP volunteers for
their efforts. Attached is a picture of the trash
that was collected in about three hours.
Levi Harris


Hello Levi, always happy to help out in any way we can. It looks like folks did a good job and made our world a better place for this upcoming tourist season. Winchester Bay and the Umpqua River are some beautiful places, I hope over time we all work a little harder to keep them that way. Thanks for all the hard work you do and please let us know if we can help out again in the future.
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Scott
02/14/2007
Jim Collins (left) with a 7 lb. Hatchery Hen and
Dave Johnson with a 15 lb. Native Buck Taken while
side drifting yarn balls on the Umpqua Sunday, Feb.
11th.
--
Dave Johnson
GO DUCKS ! !
Hey there Dave,
thanks for the fishing report, couple of great
looking fish you guys are showing off there. The
side-drifting yarn balls seems to be doing the trick
this time of year, at least is seems to be allot
more effective than any other methods reported.
Thanks for thinking of us and taking time to send
your picture and report.
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Scott
02/14/2007
Hi Scott,
We had a great time on the river with Mike Kelly and Joe Pishioneri today. Fishing was great, catching was a little slow. Mike did pick up this nice 8 pound hen, side drifting eggs.
Always next weekend!
Rod Lathrop
Hi Rod, that is a great photo, you can't kick a guy wearing a "Rock Mountain Elk Foundation" cap :). The weather has been amazingly good for fishing, in spite of the passing rain showers the past few days. If you manage to get anything done this next weekend, don't forget to send your ole buddies here at fish-works a picture and tell us about your day. Also guys it's Valentines Day, don't get caught up in the dog house for not remembering to do something nice, even if it's wrong, you'll get less flack if you want to go fishing this next weekend.
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Scott
02/13/2007


Hey there Robert, some guys have all the fun. Lots of color in the buck. I hope he gave you a run for your money :). Landing these steelhead can be a real challenge. I know allot of the fair weather fishermen are missing out on some great action by not being out there on the river this time of year. Thanks for the post and the photo. I hope you have a few more days off to get out there and play.
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Scott
02/12/2007
Hello Robert, good to hear from you. It's great that you take such great care of these guys and get them back in the river safe and sound. I think the Steelhead is probably the best fighter on the Oregon coast. I'm sure a hatchery would have been nice for the dinner table but it's all good at the end of the day. Thanks for keeping us in mind and sharing your catch with us.
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Scott
02/11/2007
Hi Scott,
We fished the Umpqua today. It was a little slower than it has been. Sunny Washburn caught one, our only one today.
Will try for more Sunday,
Rod Lathrop
Hello Rod, great photo. We hadn't gotten a report in a few days so I supposed that things had slowed down some. The weather turned on us a little the past few days, with more overcast and rain moving in. It just goes to show a little change can make a big difference in results. As always thank for keeping all of us here at fish-works.com posted.
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02/07/2007
Hello Scott: We got out on the big pond the other day and nailed this 21 pound ling and a 14 pounder. Ocean was great.
Rick Middleton
Hello there Rick, we haven't heard from you in awhile. I wondered if anyone was out over the bar chasing them with all this great weather we are having. I guess this answers that question. Nice way to spend a day and definitely some great eats in the fridge. Thanks for keeping all of us in mind here at Fish-Works.com.
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02/06/2007
Hey there Todd, just when you think it can't get any better than that, it does :). These are both beautiful fish and an angler would be proud to have landed either one. Great job getting them tangled up with these guys.
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02/05/2007
Todd Harrington
Hello Todd,
I guess if I was going to give up watching the
super bowl for a fishing trip, this guy would
have made it more than a fair trade. You never
know for sure what they are going to bite on,
you just have to keep throwing stuff at them
till something gets their interest. Looks like
you brought the right stuff. Thanks for sending
us the report, first one for February.
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February 2006
2-26-2006.
Hi Larry! Fished the Alsea Saturday with Joe & Tony Pishoneri. Tony (13) caught His first steelhead ever – Joe added a real nice one too. One hatchery, one wild which we released. Also caught a real nice sea-run cutthroat that we released. Weather was beautiful; nice day on the water! Tight Lines, Rod Lathrop
Hi rod, thank you for the report and picture. Tony caught a dandy for His first steelhead. I see two smiling faces. I presume that Joe is the father of that up and coming salmon fisherman. Joe looks like you are doing a great job. ok Tony now go for that forty pound Springer. he is waiting for you. Hey Tony I hear that you bought the boat from my neighbor, you got a real great deal. Fish On and Tight Lines.
2-22-2006.
Hi Larry, I fished
the upper South
Umpqua today with my
brother for just a
few hours.
Never got so much as
a bump till we found
a run with full sun
on it. I
hooked 2 and landed
1 all on yarn
balls. The 1 landed
was about 8 or 9
pounds as was the
one that broke me
off (bad spot in my
leader I'm sure).
The water is so cold
that they aren't
biting well nor
putting up much of a
battle, but I had to
get out of the shop
and fish
today...being behind
is
better than the
other way but man
the hours of
building boats so
others can
do what I can't is
killing me! But I
got to pull on one
so my energy and
drive are restored..
Larry
www.riverwolfboats.com
Hi Larry thanks for the report. at least you caught one for the smoker plus having had the fun of having one break off. one that has a boat building business is well
aware that business before pleasure..
Larry you always seem to find time to fish when
fishing gets hot. have a great year. tight lines.
2-21-2006.
Hi Larry, Here is a picture of a chromer I am holding for a client caught recently on the N. Umpqua river. The water is really cold and they are light biters but the fish are there. Tight Lines, Doug Warren www.loganet.net/dougsguideservice
Hi Doug, thank you for the report and picture. looks like a dandy steelhead. one more happy client. I have to say that water does look cold, but with fish like that, one does not seem to notice. will not be long and the ole springers will be here. tight lines and have a great year Doug.
2-21-2006.
Hi Larry, I had a super day on the Alsea River today! My brother Randy and I fished with Stan Steele, it sure was nice being in the front seat of a drift boat for a change! We caught 14 steelhead, kept 4 hatchery fish for the table plus two nice natives we kept in a live holder for the hatchery program. Caught them all on eggs, with pink yarn, fished under a bobber. We even had a double-header, with twin 10-pound fish. A very memorable day. Rod Lathrop.
Hi rod, thank you for your report. it is nice when you can just sit there and fish. let the others do the rowing for a change. no complaints when your boat can catch 14 steelhead. I would call that pretty good fishing. love that bobber fishing. start up the smoker.. time for the springers . are you ready for them ? "tight lines" rod.
2-17-2006.
I'd sure like to be on the upper North Umpqua over the next week or so, because the lower part of the river has been fishing well for the past week. Decent numbers of 8-10lb hatchery fish, with an occasional up to 12lbs. I've been on the "one before breakfast and another at lunch hour or after work" plan (knocking furiously on wood) since last Friday. Hope it lasts a little while longer, anyway, until springers are here in earnest. Heard a reliable report of a Springer caught by a local Springer specialist this last weekend
right at the top of Cleveland rapids. However, I didn't see the fish myself so, of course, the local coffee klatch will not believe (ah, how much of our sport is like a peter pan series). Nonetheless, since then the local Springer guru has been back bouncing His rear off most days and he's always been my barometer on their arrival. So - if these steelhead slow down (hope not, not yet anyway) I'll be making the slow conversion over the next couple of weeks to Springer madness. Incidentally, my personal earliest Springer was on a February 3rd about 4 years ago, although that was just below Sawyers Rapids and not this far upriver. The buck in the picture was caught yesterday afternoon. Pretty aggressive upriver guy -hammered that yarn ball down past His gills and it ticked Him off and he did not want to come in at all before a
truly groovy aerial display. However, after one of the single most ugly netting efforts I've ever seen or even heard about - he decided to join us for dinner. Tight lines to all. Wayne Shammel

Hi Wayne thank you for the report and picture. would be nice to hear that the springers are starting to arrive. one does hear a lot of fishh--y stories. so just who does one believe ? sawyers rapids is a great place to start on those springers. it is getting to be that time. have a great fishing year Wayne. tight lines.
2-17-2006.
Here are a couple of pictures from the last two days on the Umpqua. One from the North and one from the South....Its been 80 degrees sunny and not a bit of wind chill!!!!! I hooked 11 today and landed 9 about half of them were spawned out summer fish but they always bite well cold water or not. I am back at it tomorrow....If I don't freeze to death!! www.umpquafishingguide.com fsh4u@hotmail.com
thanks for the picture and report. looks like you had a wonderful day on the river. you must have a secret hole. eighty degrees and sunny. well we had the sun but we started the day at 26 degrees. I guess if you want to call that warm you have that right.. ha ha . tight lines
2-16-2006.
Larry, today I fished Sturgeon (near the dump hole) and caught two oversize, and this keeper. Bob Christy is the lucky fisherman with this dandy 56 incher.........Bob Cobb. www.cobbreelfish.com
Hey Mister Cobb, thank you for the report and picture. Bob Christy, you deserve that sturgeon. it was 26 degrees at 7:00am this morning. to cold for this ole man. but you young un's went out and brought home the meat. there are more out there waiting for you. tight lines.
2-14-2006.
Hey Larry, I spent the last week with customers on the Coquille....we caught fish every day and now I am starting to fish the Umpqua. I fished the South Fork of the Coquille on Sunday and the water flow is getting pretty low but I was still seeing lots of fish rolling but where most of them were there wasn't enough current to really roll bait so today I fished my people here at home on the Umpqua and the fishing was ok. We hooked five and landed four...two of which were hatchery. I can remember as a kid there not being any hatchery fish on the South its a great thing.... My congratulations to the Umpqua Fishermen Association on doing a great job.. Brent Lamm. www.umpquafishingguide.Com
Hi Brent, thank you for the report and pictures. looks and sounds like you and your customers had a good day on the Umpqua. one has to thank the fellows in the Umpqua Fishermen Association program (S.T.E.P...) for the fishing we have today. have a great year and tight lines.
2-13-2006.
Larry, I fished Sturgeon the last 3 days. Caught fish all three days, and ended up with these two keepers. Day one and two we fished around 12, today we went Higher and fished above Brandy Bar. The first picture is of PEGGY GOODPASTER and her 58 inch keeper, the second picture is of SUE JOHNSON and her 43 inch keeper. I am switching back to Steelhead, and keep you posted........Bob Cobb www.cobbreelfish.com
Hello Bob, thanks for the report and the pictures. That is what I like to see. Two happy ladies with their limit of sturgeon. that just goes to show a person there are keepers out there just waiting to be caught. well you have had a couple of nice days to fish and look what you did. tight lines.
2-13-2006.
Hi Larry, I caught this Buck on the main fork Umpqua Saturday. Lost a hen earlier (quite the acrobat). The water was beautiful and the weather was even better. Steve V.
Hi Steve, thank you for the report and picture. kind of strange the sun shining and no rain. about time mother nature takes a pity on us. that is a dandy steelhead. I can smell the smoker smoking... I will be watching for more reports and pictures from up your way. have a great year and "tight lines" Steve..
2-12-2006
Hi Larry: Here is a picture of my son Jacob and His first Steelhead. 10 years old and he hooks and lands His first Steelhead. I had to wait into my twenties for my first. I was thrilled to be apart of a moment he will remember for a lifetime. We went out for just a few hours after church and caught it about an hour before sunset on Ten Mile cr. as you could probably guess from the dune in the background. Good times for father and son.
thank you for the report and picture tom and Tammy raglan. Jacob, what a great steelhead you have caught. I bet he put a bend in your pole. you will remember this fish the rest of your fishing day's. the first one you never forget. I bet you dream about this one. you have made your mother and dad real proud of you. "Now is the time to ask for you're own boat" tight lines always..
2-12-2006
Hi Larry. I read your column often and thought I would contribute a report from the N. Umpqua where I live. I caught this nice buck yesterday, Feb. 11th, on an orange corky. Lots of fishermen up here now. The weather is beautiful and the fish are cooperating I believe this is about 8lbs or so. A fisherman's guess. A hatchery buck at that. Good luck to all! Malcolm Stone

Hi Malcolm, welcome to our site and thank you for you're report and picture. Yes we finally got a few nice days and more coming. The fishing can only get better. That is a dandy looking steelhead. Great picture. Hope to see many more reports and pictures from you. "Tight Lines" to you Malcolm.
2-11-2006
Hey Larry, The guides are Hitting the South Umpqua really hard in the Stanton Park area of Canyonville daily since the river has dropped and is now that "steelhead green" color. Success has varied from day to day but I have heard of boats limiting out in that particular area. Bank pressure is also High in that area. The Myrtle Creek area has also been getting pressure with a lot of guides from the Rogue River area fishing from the gravel bar in town down. The North Umpqua is starting to produce some fish as well. Good to hear they are starting to pick up some sturgeon in the lower river. It wont be long and we will be reading about that first spring Chinook being caught as well. Limited trips for winter steelhead are still available and can be booked by going to www.hookemdano.com or calling direct to Dan Alverts' guide service @ 541-817-2491. Good luck to all and hope to see you on the river.
Hi Dan welcome, thank you for your report. yep fishing is starting to pick up. it has been a long wet winter but that is Oregon. about time all you guides put your noses to the grind stone again. the sturgeon are starting and like you say springers, will be here shortly, there are a few striper's being caught also on the smith. hope you have a banner year. keep in touch. tight lines
2-10-2006
Mr. Moore, Today WE fished the Coquille, landed two, broke one off at the boat, and had two others on. It seemed the other boats around us did about the same. There were ALLOT of boats. I am switching to Sturgeon for the next 4 days, so I will keep you posted on that. Thanks, Bob www.cobbreelfish.com
Well hello Mister Cobb. Thank you for you're report. I have been wondering where you have been hanging your hat. Keep missing you on the radio. According to you're buddy Mister Hannah the strugeon are just waiting to be caught. Seems the problem is most are too big to keep, so I suggest you take Peggy, she always catches the keepers. "Tight Lines"
2-10-2006
Larry I know you web site is primarily for fishing the rivers etc. If I may I would like to give some info on Diamond Lake. The lake is being drawn down By eight feet for preparation of treating the Tui Chub. For those interested There will be docks, and ramps for launching. I don't know where the ramp Will be at this time. One point of interest for you, because diamond is a Under the state parks system they have instituted a day use fee for the boat Ramps. However for with the right passes there is no fee, I think it is the Silver Eagle pass. A complete schedule of what is occurring is listed at http://www.diamondlake.net Go to calendar of events and it will give you The recovery information. Contrary to reports, fishing at Diamond Lake can Be very interesting and does produce some large fish, I think so far the Largest is 18 1/4 lbs. There are pics of some nice fish and no matter your Style of fishing it can be very interesting. A lot of the old spots are gone But new ones are popping up all over. There is also a rumor running around That they are going to take the limit off this year, that has not been Confirmed at this time. Thanks Chuck Sumstine Glide OR.
Hi Chuck, for you I will post a report on Diamond Lake, cuz I know that is you're favorite lake. I know also there are other fishermen that appreciate your telling them about plans for that lake. the main reason that I try to stay away from lakes is the amount of reports that I get from them. that is way more then I can handle. I wanted to Hire a girl to help me but the wife shot that down. I hope you all understand..
2-9-2006
Hello Larry, Sorry I don't send the report like I use to. The days are to short to get all the work done after
fishing. We have been doing good on sturgeon this week from marker 12 up to 23. Landed 5 today and 4 yesterday largest at about 8 1/2 feet and we did land a couple little greens. The keepers have been far
and few between unlike what I read in an other reports........ Info can get
misconstrued as its pasted along. Last of low tide has been best as usual but we did get the big boy at
High slack this morning shrimp has been the key but I was mixing in some shad out of the freezer.
I saw were Derek had written in wanting info on sturgeon so Though I could help
Him out a little. So if you read this Derek give me a call in the evenings
at 541-271-2277 and I will give you some tips on Umpqua River Sturgeon
fishing. TODD. p.s. Don't set the hook to SOON.
www.theoregonangler.com
hello Todd. thank you for your report. how well I know how stories on the size of fish can change !! depending on who is telling the story. hey Derek if you want to learn about sturgeon fishing you will never find a better teacher then Todd. I have noticed your boat missing from your berth a couple of days this past week. you are the third person to give a decent report on the sturgeon fishing. it looks like we are about to have good weather for a week or so. about time. I will have to turn the marine radio on to channel #5 so I can hear all the great fish stories.. ha ha keep a tight line Todd.
2-9-2006
dear Larry Now that the rains have subsided, Steelhead are being caught throughout the river system. March is the time when the big native Steelhead enter the North Umpqua river system. Space is limited so book your Steelhead trip today. Now fishing the Rogue, Umpqua and Coquille Rivers. Steelhead trips run through April. Call (541) 430-1565 or email me to book your trip today. Happy Fishing, Mike Springer.
mspringer@cmspan.net (541) 430-1565 http://www.springersguideservice.Com
Thanks Mike for the report. I will be watching for more reports and pictures of some big fish. steelhead ,stripers, sturgeon or what ever., tight lines.
2-9-2006
Larry. Apparently I
missed some web
postings by a non
believers about
Roberts
posting, I just wish
I had the
opportunity and
skill to do as well
as Robert
does. When you have
that type of skill
and you are willing
to share it that
is a true gift. I
would welcome the
opportunity to talk
with Him to learn
some of His skills.
On the North Umpqua
between the Narrows
and boundary I
watched a gentlemen
catch and land 3
Steelhead in about
15 minutes using a
lure. On the other
side of the river a
gentlemen caught 2
more in about the
same amount of time
using eggs. I tried
for half an hour in
the same spots
and never even got a
pick up. It takes
time and dedication
to get that good
and you must really
enjoy the sport to
be that good. To
Robert and others
who catch and keep
or release to help
programs like
S.T.E.P.. I
congratulate
and envy you, to
those doubting that
ability and skill I
feel nothing but
apathy and you need
to improve your
skills. I know the
feeling of those
skills because I can
go to my favorite
fishing lake,
Diamond Lake, and in
less than an hour
and 1/2 my boat can
and does limit out
and I don't start
fishing until after
9 A.M. It is all
about presentation
and timing and
knowing the area
also helps a lot.
Chuck
Hi Chuck, thank you for your email. As you know about fishing, some people have it and some people don't. I have seen your reports and pictures from Diamond Lake many times over the past couple of years. "Tight Lines"
2-8-2006
Hi Larry,
I spent most of my day at the Interpretive center on the West Fork, we were live spawning Steelhead with children from the Coos Bay school district as well as getting ready for this weekends FREE fishing clinic on Saturday the 11th. We will have expert Steel headers giving presentations on technique, reading water and equipment used for the various methods from 10:00 am through 12:00 pm. they will also be giving individual instruction from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm if you would like to try your hand at it out front in the river. We will also have 500 legal size Rainbow trout stocked in the pond for the kids, there will be instruction available for them as well. The event is being put on by the Northwest Steel headers, Bay Area Sports mans assoc. S.T.E.P.. and O.D.F.W. If you would like to learn a little more or teach a youngster how to fish, come on out! To the Author of letters #2, #3, and #4, I'm sorry you didn't accept my invitation to introduce yourself today, I'm sure you had your reasons. The State Biologist as well as both S.T.E.P.. volunteers were there and could have provided you with the correct information. In the future it might behoove you to get the facts rather than assume before you challenge anyone's credibility.
Fact: upon my arrival at 9:15 this morning there were approximately 30 Steelhead in the Raceway. O.D.F.W. brought 2 more Natives bringing the total to 12 Natives, the 10 we transported plus the 2 arrivals this morning, these numbers can be verified by today's tally sheet. of the Steelhead live spawned Today only 1 was a Native, of the approximately 20 fish left in the raceway after spawning this morning 11 are Natives, they will be there to view until Fridays spawning. If you don't have time, see the photo below, it was taken at 12:28 today.
And finally my report, I fished on the way back home this afternoon from the Hatchery and managed to catch 2, I kept this one and released the other. Tight Lines To All. Robert
thank you for your e-mail Robert. the Northwest Steel headers, Bay Area Sportsmen's assoc. S.T.E.P.. and O.D.F.W. do one heck of a job. what would our fishing be with out them ??
Catching the numbers of Steelhead that Robert is talking about is very possible. The owner of Rainbow King Lodge owns 1/2 mile of river on Three Rivers in Hebo, Oregon. It happens to be the first 1/2 mile below the fish hatchery. In December and January 15 to 20 fish days are the norm, and 60 fish days are common. He also gets $8,000 dollars for 6 fisherman for three days. I always assumed that Robert had something like this going. Fish like that are not caught on public water day in and day out. I have had 20 plus fish days on the Umpqua before, but never two days in a row. I never doubted he was catching that many fish, just after I went to the South Fork, I don't think that was the river. The West Fork seemed more logical, and fish able on Saturday. Back to the SHED, the step program at Daniels Creek. What a great thing to get involved in. It operates on donations alone. He has been putting 650,000 smolts in Daniels creek alone for the past four years. Watch the Coos system for Fall Chinook this year. With out people getting involved and programs like that one on Daniels Creek, there would not be fish for the sport fisherman to catch. Sorry to be so long, but thought I would put my two cents in. Thanks Gus www.rainbowking.com
Thanks Gus for putting in you're two cents worth. We need all the help we can get. I'm glad to hear that so many smolts are being released in Daniels Creek. You are so right, without the S.T.E.P. program what would our fishing be? These fellows in the program use their own time and allot of their own money so that we will have fish in the future. Donate a few bucks to them when you get the chance, it's money well spent. "Tight Lines"
2-7-2006
Ok. Fishing reports it is. As for me - as to Robert's reports - I'm going to take them literally and remain jealous and hope that sentiment stirs some extra efforts on my part. North Umpqua coming into great shape right now. We caught 3 hatchery steelhead (including 2 downers) this weekend (one Saturday; 2 Sunday) above the forks, side-drifting in some clearing but still pretty stained water. Nothing of great size, biggest about 8lbs.. Was surprised by the aggressive downers already, but I guess that's what we get with the floods this year. There was very little pressure in most of the holes and in fact, the annual Umpqua fishing derby scratched due to the stained water (people electing to take their guided trips later in better water). Some of us were set to fish this last weekend and did it anyway! Plunkers at River Forks park did OK also this weekend; I am aware of 8 fish caught there over the weekend, there
may have been a few more. I also saw one caught at Amacher on Sunday and another boat claimed one on Saturday, but that area has been (when I've been there so far this year) a lot less productive than I would have expected. Maybe the normally holding fish have shot past in the Higher water? P.S. there are low water aerial photos of the entire Umpqua basin on the Douglas County website. They have good enough resolution to find (if you download the photos and blow them up with an image program) major structure and pick out rocks bigger than an ice chest (in the shallower runs anyway).
A great way to scout new anchoring areas, anyway, if you don't know them already. I map and photo many of the rocks in my favorite runs also and it has helped, a bit anyway I think. I don't catch many more fish, but we tend to find them quicker if they're in the hole. Note that the floods this year have been forceful enough to make some very large structure changes (even boulders moved in the cocoa Highway this year) so the scouting starts fresh. Tight lines to all!! - Wayne Shammel
Hi Wayne, than you for your reports and information on low water aerial photos. Just in time of the Springer fishermen to locate their runs and rocks. Great, just had a report yesterday that on the Elk, most of the Steelhead are downers there also. Things are shaping up pretty good. Although there have been a few reports on sturgeon, they are here. Springers will soon be making their runs. Looking for a great fishing season in 2006.
2-7-2006
Hello, my name is Derek. I have never inputted anything on this page, so I thought I would start.
On Sunday the 5th my brother Brandon and I fished Below marker 12 for sturgeon with no luck. Although we witnessed 1 shaker and 1 oversize caught. We also saw a very large one jump not too far from the boat. I am interested in fishing sturgeon on the Umpqua some more, so any reports other people have would be great.
Hello Derek , welcome and thank you for you're report. That is what fishing is all about. Some days you catch and some days you catch something and then there are those days when you should have stayed in bed. Stick with it and sooner or later you will catch one, they are there to be caught. I will be looking for a report and picture of you and you're sturgeon soon. "Tight Lines"