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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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- Fly Fishing Taos & Santa Fe
Talyor Streit has been fishing and guiding for more than 50 years. His knowledge of the northern New Mexico waters is tough to beat. Join us to talk about fishing the Rio Grande, Red River, Costilla Creek, and others. Learn about the new rulings by the supreme court on water access in New Mexico and also on how the recent fires have affected fishing.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- Have the recent fires in New Mexico affected the prime fishing areas?
- How did the recent New Mexico Supreme Court decision affect water access rights?
- How has fishing changed in New Mexico since you first came to the area?
- What's the best time of year for dry fly action?
- What segments of the Rio Grande fish best?
- Can you fish the Rio Grande gorge?
- Is New Mexico a good winter fishery?
- What segments of the Red River do you prefer to fish?
- Is there good public access to the rivers in New Mexico?
- What's the current situation with the Costilla Creek restoration project?
- Is Costilla Creek open for fishing?
- What stream flows should you look for to fish Costilla Creek?
- Is the Rio Chama still a good river to fish?
- Fly Fishing Tips for Trout, Bass and Panfish
Over the many years that Skip Morris has fished and written about fly fishing he's uncovered many nuggets of information that have helped him and others to catch more fish. Whether it's trout, bass or panfish Skip has something to share that will improve your odds. Listen to this podcast and up your game!
- Tying Streamers: Tips and Techniques
Charlie Craven is a master fly tier and has figured out the best fly tying techniques for just about any challenge. His latest book Tying Streamers addresses the techniques used to tie both classic and modern streamer patterns. Charlie is always a great source for good tips on tying so join us to find out what he’s discovered about the best way to tie streamers.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How do you make wooly buggers more durable?
- What is the best way to tie in a palmered hackle?
- Are articulated patterns more effective than non-articulated patterns?
- What are your favorite materials for tying streamers?
- What are the three most important triggers when tying streamers?
- Do you prefer streamers that are thick and dense or sparse and thin?
- How do you keep streamers from fouling?
- How do you choose a hook for your streamers?
- What are your considerations for choosing streamers for different water types?
- Selectivity
Matt Supinski a professional guide has fished for fussy trout, salmon and steelhead and knows how to approach and get them interested no matter what. Join us as Matt shares his secrets about fly fishing for selective fish.
- Behemoths of the Great Lakes
Joe is well known for catching big, big brown trout. He's guided many fly fishers over the years to the Lake Ontario and Lake Erie tributaries to catch these awesome fish. What many don't know is that during the fall spawning run of brown's you can also fly fish for king salmon and steelhead. Join Joe on this podcast and find out his secrets about fly fishing for these coveted trophies.
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The Greats Of Adirondack Fly FishingRob Streeter has a great love of fly fishing and its history. He has collected and assembled the life stories of some of the great fly fishers that fished the Adirondack mountains, including Ray Bergman, Lee Wulff, Perry Ehlers, and others. Join us and learn about the history of fly fishing in the Adirondacks and the people who fished its esteemed waters.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What do you know about the early days of fly fishing in the Adirondacks?
- Who were the first fly fishers that were written about?
- What are your three go to flies of the Adirondacks?
- What streamers work best?
- Are the places to trout spey in the Adirondacks?
- Were these fly fishing greats concerned about conservation?
- Who was William Scripture Jr.?
- What contributions did Ray Bergman make to fly fishing?
- How did Lee Wulff combine his love flying with the fly fishing?
- What fly patterns was Lee Wulff famous for?
- Who was the creator of the Ausable Wulff fly?
- What challenges did Francis Betters overcome to continue fly fishing?
- Who was the most interesting person you wrote about?
- The Deschutes – Rainbows and Steelhead
Tom Larimer is an experienced guide who's passion for steelhead is only equaled by his love for trout. Listen in to Tom share his secrets about fly fishing the Deschutes River.
- 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.
- Dry Fly Strategies
Paul Weamer, a professional guide and fly tier, understands fishing with a dry fly as the essence of fly fishing. Of course, fish feed primarily under the water but when they rise there's nothing more exciting. Paul has fished highly technical waters like Penns Creek in Pennsylvania, the Upper Delaware River in New York, and spring creeks in Paradise Valley Montana. Listen in as Paul breaks down the best methods, rigs, and fly patterns to catch more fish with dry flies.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How do the seasons affect dry fly fishing?
- What weight and length rod do you use?
- Do you prefer monofilament or fluorocarbon for terminal tackle?
- Does the glare from tippet to surface tension cause refusals?
- What products do you use to keep your flies afloat?
- What fly styles work best for the mayfly life-cycle stages?
- What fly styles work best for the caddis fly life-cycle stages?
- What are your favorite stonefly dry fly patterns?
- What fly styles work best for fast water and slow water?
- What is more important hook size or the pattern's color?
- What are the different rise forms and how do you fish them?
- How do you fish to non-steady risers?
- How do you fish springs creeks with finicky fish?
- What are the differences between dry fly strategies in the west versus those in the east?
- Hackle - Facts About Feathers
Thomas Whiting, president and owner of Whiting Farms, Inc., producer of the finest fly tying feathers for the tyers of the world will share his knowlege about those wonderful feathers we use everyday. From raising chickens to the science behind genetic breeding to selecting the proper hackle to use on your flies - Tom will cover it all in great detail.
- Lake Nassar's Nile Perch
Jeff Currier has just returned from Egypt and his second adventure in search of the exotic Nile Perch. Join Jeff to learn about what it takes to figure out a fish that is seldom caught on a fly.
- Casting Off the Board: Innovative Techniques in SUP Fly Fishing
Kurt Finlayson has found that fly fishing from stand up paddle boards (SUPs) provides him with an effective way to access productive water. Before you decide whether this is for you, join us and listen in to learn about the basics of using a SUP, its advantages and disadvantages, where you should use it, and how to outfit it.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How did you first get into fly fishing from standup paddleboards, and what drew you to it?
- What are the unique advantages of fly fishing from a paddleboard compared to traditional floatation methods?
- What types of paddleboards are best suited for fly fishing, and what should one look for when selecting a board?
- Are there specific manufacturers that cater to fly fishers?
- Are there available paddleboards that have been expressly set up for fly fishing?
- How do you rig up a paddleboard to use for fly fishing?
- Do you ever use an anchor or tie off to avoid moving?
- What types of clothing do you wear?
- What are the key techniques for maintaining stability and balance while casting from a paddleboard?
- Do you stand, kneel, or sit? When do you use each?
- What challenges have you faced while fly fishing from a paddleboard, and how have you overcome them?
- What kind of paddle do you use?
- How do you manage your paddle and rod?
- How does being on a paddleboard affect your approach to finding and reaching fish?
- What safety precautions do you recommend for paddleboard anglers?
- Redfish On The Fly
John Kumiski has fished for redfish for over 20 years and has guided them for the past 10 years. John has researched redfish in great detail and shares his secrets on catching the big ones.
- A Fishable Feast: Fly Fishing and Eating Your Way Around the World
What happens when world-class fly fishing meets unforgettable cuisine? Listen in while globetrotting fly fishing guide and chef Matthew Supinski explores the intersection of rivers, culture, and the table. We’ll journey from legendary trout streams to coastal waters around the globe—discovering how food, place, and angling traditions intertwine. If you’ve ever dreamed of chasing fish by day and savoring local flavors by night, this conversation will awaken your appetite for adventure.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What inspired you to combine fly fishing, travel, and culinary experiences into A Fishable Feast?
- Of all the destinations in the book, which country surprised you the most both as an angler and as a food lover?
- How do you decide whether a destination is truly “fishable feast” worthy?
- Do you have any advice (or hard-learned tips) for traveling with a proper set of knives, spices, or other cooking tools? Especially when on a destination trip?
- What's good advice for those fishing overseas or traveling to new locations, and having a plan for the cuisine?
- YWhich destination in the book offers the most underrated fly fishing experience?
- Which location offered the most technically challenging fly fishing?
- What are the biggest mistakes anglers make when planning international fly fishing trips?
- How has global fly fishing travel changed over the last couple of decades?
- Where did the recipes in your book come from?
- Were there any destinations where the cuisine taught you something important about the local fishery or ecosystem?
- Which destination in the book offers the best balance of accessibility, great fishing, and incredible food?
- If you could revisit one destination from the book tomorrow for both the fishing and the food, where would you go and why?
- Spring Creek Strategies
Mike Heck, a professional guide and master of spring creek fly fishing, shares the tactics and techniques he uses everyday to catch tough, selective trout in these waters.
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