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Fly Fishing the Legendary North Umpqua for Steelhead
Joe Howell
Fly Fisher, Fly Tier, Guide, Author
The North Umpqua is legendary among steelhead fly fishers—but success on this demanding river takes more than simply showing up with a fly rod. Former guide and author Joe W. Howell shares what you need to know to fish the North Umpqua with confidence. Discover how to read its distinctive water, choose productive flies and techniques, approach steelhead effectively, and adapt to changing river conditions. Along the way, Joe draws on years of experience to help you better understand—and appreciate—one of America’s most storied steelhead rivers.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- Your relationship with the North Umpqua began during family trout-fishing trips. What do you remember about those first encounters with the river?
- When did you begin your fascination with steelhead?
- How did you learn more about steelhead, the river and fly fishing for them?
- Why did the North Umpqua become one of America’s most historically important steelhead fly-fishing rivers?
- What were some of the pioneers that fished the river and what influence did those early anglers have on the traditions that continue today?
- Many pools were named during the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s, but the origins of some names have been lost. Why was preserving these names—and the stories connected to them—one of your primary reasons for writing the book?
- What area became the center of the river’s early fishing camps. What made this particular section so attractive to pioneering steelhead anglers?
- The North Umpqua has a reputation for being a difficult steelhead river. What are the three biggest challenges a first-time angler must learn to overcome?
- Because this is primarily a volcanic bedrock river rather than a gravel-bottom river, where should anglers look for holding steelhead?
- For someone making a first trip, what time of year offers the best combination of fish, manageable conditions, and opportunities to learn the river?
- How does your approach change from the early summer fishing of June and July to the lower, warmer water of August and early fall?
- During late summer, why are first light, the arrival of shade, and the final light of evening often more important than the particular fly being used?
- If you were assembling separate North Umpqua fly boxes for summer and winter, which patterns, colors, and sizes would you consider essential?
- The Camp Water includes legendary names such as Glory, the Mott Water, Kitchen, Boat Pool, Station, Hayden’s Run, Sawtooth, Millionaire, and Surveyor. If an angler had only one day to explore this historic section, how would you help them prioritize those pools?
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Fly Fishing the Farmington River: Trout, Hatches & Tactics
Steve Culton
Fly Fisher, Guide, Fly Tier, Author, Instructor
Connecticut’s Farmington River offers outstanding year-round trout fishing—but consistently catching its trout requires understanding the river, its hatches, and how fish respond to changing conditions. Steve Culton joins us to share his hard-earned knowledge of this celebrated fishery. We’ll explore where and when to fish, seasonal strategies, important hatches, productive flies, and techniques ranging from dry flies and nymphs to wet flies and streamers. Whether it’s your first trip or your fiftieth, Steve will help you fish the Farmington more effectively.Ask Steve Culton your most important questions on fly fishing the Farmington River...
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- Bugs, Bugs and More Bugs
Robert Younghanz, a.k.a The Bug Guy, is an internationally known Aquatic Entomologist, Fly Fishing Guide and Instructor. Entomology plays a big part in being a successful fly fisher. Robert breaks down the different classes of insects that fly fishers are familiar with and helps you to identify and understand their life cycle. The more you know about how these bugs live and procreate the more fish you'll be bringing to the net.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What is the life cycle of a mayfly?
- Why is the life cycle of and insect important to fly fishers?
- Do you need to have flies that imitate each stage of the life cycle?
- What are the most important orders of insects for fly fishers?
- What is the largest order of insects?
- What is the life cycle of a caddis?
- What is the difference between complete metamorphosis and incomplete metamorphosis ?
- What insects are most common in lakes?
- Where is the best place to seine a river for bugs?
- What is the best way to learn about insects for fishing?
- How do you organize your fly boxes?
- Do you have different fly boxes for different seasons?
- When nothing else is working what fly would you use?
- Nymphing Strategies for Trinity River Steelhead: Flow, Depth, and Control
Steelhead on the Trinity River aren’t accidental fish—and neither are the anglers who consistently find them. In this episode, professional guide Alex Ross breaks down the nuts and bolts of deep nymphing for Trinity River steelhead from a drift boat. We dive into reading flow-driven water, boat positioning, rigging for depth and control, fly selection by conditions, and the subtle adjustments that turn “good water” into hooked fish. If you want a practical, guide-tested approach to putting winter steelhead in the net on one of California’s most iconic rivers, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- For anglers who haven’t fished it, how would you describe the Trinity River compared to other West Coast steelhead rivers?
- How do dam releases and changing flows affect where steelhead hold?
- How do fish position differently in low flows versus high flows?
- What types of water on the Trinity consistently produce with deep nymphing?
- Are the techniques you use river specific, or do they work other places?
- How do you determine your starting depth?
- Do you prefer fixed indicators or adjustable systems from a drift boat—and why?
- What’s your philosophy on split shot vs. weighted flies?
- What are your go-to fly patterns for Trinity steelhead nymphing?
- What rod, reel, line, leader and tippet setup do you recommend?
- How can you tell if your weight is riding properly?
- How critical is boat control in deep nymphing success?
- What visual clues tell you a run will hold steelhead?
- what is the etiquette on back rowing and re-drifting a run?
- Trout Tips
Landon Mayer, a veteran instructor and professional guide, will help you analyze your past mistakes and learn how to adapt to a wide range of fishing conditions. He uses unorthodox solutions for common fly fishing problems but they are all designed to help you catch more fish. Join us and Landon will help you sharpen your skills.
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Poppers, Sliders & DiversSteve Schweitzer dives deep in tying and fishing some of the most exciting flies to fish for topwater. Listen in to learn his secrets on designing and fishing poppers, sliders and divers.
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Kootenai River- Big, Bold and BeautifulDave Blackburn has been fishing and guiding the Kootenai River in Montana for over 25 years. If you want to know how to fish and where to fish on this great western trout river listen in and Dave will share his hard earned secrets.
- Fly Fishing Virginia's Blue Ridge Parkway
Sam Johnson, an expert angler, shares his secrets of fly fishing along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. Discover the best fishing spots across the Blue Ridge Parkway's 217 miles in Virginia and learn about the unique strategies and techniques that make this region a fly fisher's paradise. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to the sport, Sam's wealth of knowledge and captivating stories will inspire and guide you on your next fishing adventure. Don't miss out on this informative and exciting discussion!
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What inspired you to write your books on the Blue Ridge Parkway?
- How did the Parkway come to be?
- Was fishing considered in its design?
- How long is the Blue Ridge Parkway?
- When was constructions started?
- How long did it take to complete?
- Is there camping in the park?
- What time of year would be the best time to visit?
- What different types of water are available to fish?
- What species of fish can you fish for?
- What are some of the major hatches?
- What are your favorite flies for the Parkway waters?
- What is your strategy for fishing the different types of water?
- What are the some of your favorite streams and rivers to fish?
- How does the fishing in Virginia differ from the fishing in North Carolina?
- Fly Fishing for Big, Huge, Monster Trophy Trout
Passion and love for the sport of fly fishing is what motivates Landon. His success in catching trophy trout is fueled by an addiction of pursuing large trout with small flies and lightweight fly fishing equipment. Listen to Landon's secrets on sight fishing for huge trophy trout.
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Fly Fishing Spring CreeksMike Lawson was born and raised in southeastern Idaho and has fished the Henry's Fork, a classic spring creek, his whole life. Mike worked on his book, "Spring Creeks", for over 12 years producing a comprehensive work about fishing spring creeks and tailwaters. You'll enjoy hearing Mike share his knowledge about fishing spring creeks and tailwaters on this podcast.
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Dorado On A FlyTad Burke a professional guide in the Florida Keys introduces us to dorado on the fly. Listen in and learn his secrets about hooking up with these beautiful but elusive fish.
- The Seasons of Stillwater - Rocky Mountains
Richard Pilatze's expertise is high mountain stillwater fly fishing. He'll be talking with us about the stillwater fishing seasons in the Rocky Mountain region, detailing what the fishing conditions will be, what hatches occur and best methods to fish at that time of year. Join us a get dialed into high mountain stillwater fly fishing.
- Fly Fishing Stillwaters with Chironomids
Phil Rowley is well known for his mastery of lake fishng. In this show you'll learn Phil's secrets and techniques to fly fishing for trout with Chironomids and other hot flies.
- The Catch of a Lifetime
Award-winning writer Peter Kaminsky in his book, The Catch of a Lifetime presents the moving first-person stories of more than seventy anglers recounting their catch of a lifetime. The stories are from all over the world and from well-known writers, artists, sportspeople, and others who’ve made flyfishing their passion. Join us to hear Peter share these people's most memorable tales.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How did you get started writing?
- What inspired you to write your book The Catch of a Lifetime?
- How did you select the fly fishers and their stories?
- Who were some of the fly fishers you selected?
- What constitutes the catch of a lifetime?
- Were there any stories that deeply resonated with you?
- What was one of your most memorable experiences that you included in the book?
- What were the common themes you used to organize the stories?
- What do you hope readers will take away from these fishing tales?
- What were the challenges you faced while gathering the stories?
- With the popularity of stories presented through video and audio is there still a place for the written word?
- What role does fishing play in environment awareness and conservation?
- What was the most challenging part of writing and compiling The Catch of a Lifetime?
- Can you share a few stories from your book?
- Fly Fishing the Boundary Waters
Jim Blauch has guided the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota for the past 20 years. If you want solitude and crazy smallmouth bass fly fishing listen in and Jim will spill the beans on this great destination.
- Peacock Bass
Barry Reynolds has recently returned from an exciting fly fishing adventure for peacock bass on the Rio Negro River in Brazil. Peacock bass are also found in the rivers and canals of Florida, Hawaii, Central America and other South American countries. Join Barry on this podcast to learn about fly fishing for these beautiful fish.
Learn more about fly fishing and listen to our podcasts by these top experts...
