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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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- Mammoth Lakes Fly Fishing
Chris Leonard has been guiding and teaching fly fishing in the Mammoth Lakes, California area since 2005. Mammoth Lakes is well known for its ski area but it also hosts some great fisheries. Hot Creek, the Owens River, the San Joaquin River, Rock Creek, Rush Creek and Crowley Lake are some of Chris's favorites. Listen in and learn about these eastern Sierra fisheries and how to best fish these waters.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- When is the best time of year to fish the Mammoth Lakes rivers, creeks and lakes?
- What is the difference between fishing the Upper and Lower Owens River?
- What river has Golden Trout in it?
- What makes Hot Creek so special?
- Is Tenkara a good system to use on these fisheries?
- What river is known for its hopper fishing?
- What river can you get a grand slam on?
- What's the best way to find fish in Crowley Lake?
- Can you fish Crowley Lake from a float tube?
- What flies work best on these waters?
- Fly Fishing the Upper Delaware River
Paul Weamer has spent over decade fishing the Upper Delaware River watershed where the trout are large, wild, and highly selective. Be sure to listen in to find out about this great fishery and the special techniques used to hook up with the trophies.
- Fly Fishing for Redfish
Chico Fernandez shares a lifetime of experiences fly fishing for redfish. He'll cover all the essentials including rods, reels, rigs, casting techniques and flies. Join us and learn how to hook up with a redfish.
- Long Flies for Big Fish
Gary Borger knows that fishing long flies holds the greatest opportunity for the fly rodder to take big fish in any water type. Listen in to find out Gary’s secrets about long flies and how to fish them including tactics such as the Broadside Float, the Leisenring Lift, Shotgunning, the Jigging Swing, and many other methods.
- Wild Wipers on the Fly
Matt Snider says fly fishing for wipers is like hooking up with a strong saltwater fish only you're in freshwater. Learn Matt's techniques for finding and hooking up with this exciting fish.
- Nautilus Reels – Striving for Excellence
Kristen Mustad, the owner of Nautilus Reels, has brought his company to the forefront of the fly fishing industry. His innovations drive the market and stand out above the crowd. Listen in to hear how he built his company, designs and tests his reels and consistently strives for excellence.
Questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How did you get started in the fly fishing reel business?
- What made you decide to reinvent the company?
- How did you differentiate your self in the beginning days?
- What were the biggest design breakthroughs you had?
- What reel model do you consider the most versatile?
- How do you test your reels?
- Why do large arbor reels make more sense?
- What qualifications do your people have that make the reels?
- Where do you see Nautilus in the future of the industry?
- Improving Your Casting Fundamentals to Catch More Fish
Dusty Wissmath, a Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Casting Instructor, will explore the fundamentals of casting that are so important to catching more fish. Are you struggling with a castitng problem? Here's your chance to ask a question of one of the best casting instructors around.
- Fishing Wet Flies, Old School Still Works
Bill Edrington knows what works and one of those things is fly fishing with wet flies for trout. If you haven't been using wet flies this show will be very enlightening and may change the way you fish in the future.
- The Clark Fork River - Where Big Trout Travel in Pods
John Perry guides on the Clark Fork River which he considers one of the most productive rivers in the West. Techniques that work on other rivers many times have to be adapted on the Clark Fork for you to catch fish. Learn how John approaches this great fishery to get maximum success.
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Subaru-able Brookie Venues in South Park ColoradoMichele White's home range is South Park, Colorado where she guides out of her fly shop Tumbling Trout. South Park is known for the Dream Stream and Eleven Mile Canyon but there are many other beautiful places to fish. The Mosquito Range, Tarryall Mountains, and the tributaries of the South Fork and Middle Fork of the South Platte River offer engaging brook trout fishing with incredible scenery. Join us to learn more about what South Park has to offer fly fishers.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What do you mean by Subaru-Able venues?
- Are brook trout reallyl trout?
- What types of trout do you find at the higher elevations?
- What is the accessibility to streams like?
- What are the best months to fish South Park?
- What weight and length of rod do you use?
- Do you use Tenkara rods?
- What flies do you use for brookies?
- What is the best approach to small streams?
- What types of casts do you use?
- What are the northern tributaries like?
- How accessible are the tributaries of the Middle Fork of the South Platte?
- What do the tributarties of the South Fork offer the fly fisher?
- DUN - The Making of a Magazine
Jen Ripple is the Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of the international flyfishing lifestyle magazine, DUN Magazine. In addition to her work at DUN, she writes the Fly Fishing Women’s Buyer’s Guide for Outside Magazine and the Women’s Best Of column for Gray’s Sporting Journal, among others. Join us to learn why and how Dun was built, where it stands today and where it will be tomorrow.
- Fly Fishing for Mahseer in India
Jeff Currier explores India's rivers for the exotic Mahseer. It's a huge fish that is seldom caught on the fly but Jeff was determined to do so and did. Learn from Jeff the process he uses to figure what makes a fish tick.
- Planning the Fly Fishing Trip of a Lifetime to Alaska
Bryan Whiting, a high school teacher in Colorado, had dreamed of fishing in Alaska with his boys. Actually going, however, just seemed beyond the possible. How do I make the time? Where do I specifically go? When do I go? What do I ask when deciding between lodges, camps or guides? How do I make sure I don't get ripped off? What equipment do I need? Bryan will share his experience in getting the answers to these questions and many more on this show.
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Tips and Tricks That Will Make You A Better Fly FisherKirk Deeter answers those nagging questions you always wanted to know about fly fishing for trout including casting, presentation, bugs, reading water and more.
- Salmonfly Hatch On The Madison
Bob Jacklin knows about the salmon fly hatch on the Madison, he's been fishing it for 37 years. Don't miss this chance to find out how and when to fish this exciting hatch. Join us on Bob's informative podcast.
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