For those of you planning on attending the Rogue Flyfishers’ outing to the Umpqua River tomorrow, June 20,  the river has risen significantly since yesterday morning, and the reports I have received have been that it has put the bass fishing off.  I will still be at Diamond Home Improvement at 7:00 AM.  For those that still want to go on an outing, we will decide then if we want to go to the Umpqua River or go to Galesville Reservoir as an alternative.

The Rogue Flyfishers are having an outing to the Umpqua River on June 20 to fish for smallmouth bass.  It will be a trip where we should be able to follow Coronavirus precautions.  The Rogue Flyfishers Board would like to invite members of the Southern Oregon Fly Fishers to come as well.  See the article below for details.

Outing to the Umpqua River 

With the easing of Coronavirus restrictions, the Board has decided to go ahead with the outing on June 20 to the Umpqua River to fish for smallmouth bass.  Obviously, anyone not feeling well should stay home, and participants should follow CDC guidelines to keep everyone safe.  We will meet in the parking lot of the Diamond Home Improvement store on 7th Street near the north I-5 interchange in Grants Pass at 7:00 AM and caravan from there.  Bass are extremely abundant in the mainstem Umpqua and South Umpqua and can provide fast action for anglers. Many of the fish tend to be small, but big ones are not uncommon.

We will float a section of the river just west of Sutherland between the Umpqua Landing and James Wood Boat Ramps.  This is generally a pretty easy float, but there are a few shallow, rocky riffles that require some maneuvering. Due to the Coronavirus, the club will not be arranging for places in boats, so participants should bring a driftboat, pontoon boat, raft, or other craft suitable for use on a river; or make their own arrangements for a ride.  For those that don’t feel comfortable or don’t have a boat suitable for running through rapids, it is possible to fish the big pool at Umpqua Landing with a float tube or small lake boat, entering and exiting the river at that one ramp.

A five or six-weight rod is ideal for the smallmouth bass in the Umpqua. An intermediate or slow-sinking line is most useful, but also bring a floating line if you want to fish surface flies. Straight 8 to 10-pound monofilament is adequate for a leader. A wide variety of flies will work, but Woolly Buggers, Clouser Minnows, and small streamers are generally top producers.  If conditions are right, small poppers can produce some exciting action. Olive, brown, and yellow are typically good colors.  Small, brown over yellow or olive over white Clouser Minnows are often a very effective.

In addition to the bass, there will be shad in the river during our trip.  If you are interested in trying for them, bring a seven or eight-weight outfit with a fast-sinking shooting head and some shad flies.  Be sure to also bring food, plenty of water, sunscreen, a hat, life vest and all your usual fishing and boating gear.

The smallmouth bass fishery in the Umpqua River can be a great destination for fly fishers during the summer. If you have not fished the Umpqua for bass, come give it a try. If you have, come spend a fun day fishing with your fellow club members.

David Haight, Outings Chair