Oregon’s North Umpqua River is legendary for its summer steelhead fishery, and for the special fishing regulations that have helped sustain the unique character and history of this water. Now, for only the second time since Oregon began to regulate fishing on the North Umpqua, the summer steelhead fishery will be closed in 2023 due to poor returns of adult fish.
Finnerty’s Basics of Swinging for Steelhead
When it finally happens, you’ll know. First, you’ll feel an unmistakable sensation of weight, building and causing an ever-deepening bend in your rod. Then you’ll feel your brain, now infused with adrenalin, on fire with the realization that a steelhead has indeed grabbed your swung fly.
Meet the team: Dean Finnerty
Home town: Cottage Grove, Oregon. It’s a perfect location to launch steelhead trips from. The upper Willamette and its tribs are minutes away as is the McKenzie. The Umpqua and tons of coastal rivers are 45 minutes to an hour away. The N.U. is about an hour away as well. Home waters: The North Umpqua and mainstem Umpqua are my …