N. Umpqua Natives

[birdhunter]

Does anyone know what the deal is on the N. Umpqua with steelhead? I was just reading in the regs that there is a season on: "nonadipose fin-clipped steelhead from Jan 1-Apr 30; 1 per day, 5 per year." Now does this mean fish that are fin-clipped other than on the adipose fin or are we talking about keeping wild fish??? This isn't a new reg either but I had never heard of it before. Anyone have any insight? I knew that the wild population of steelhead on the Umpqua was pretty good, but I didn't think that they would allow harvest. Some of the other new trout regs leave me scrathing my head. I have to wonder what the logic behind some of these moves are.

[WildHawg]

Howdy BirdHunter,
I was an outfitter down south for years. I think I have the progression down.

The Umpqua Basin is managed primarily for native fish with the exception of hatchery summer runs on the N. Umpqua, and a small component of hatchery winters on the south.

Up until 97 or 98 we could keep two unclipped fish per day, while the rest of the state was forced to release all unclipped fish. The mainstem regs changed to the 1 wild per day/5 per year quota around then. Same applied to the N. Fork. Then in 99 they removed any wild take from the main Umpqua, and forced folks to try and pick their way through all the wild fish to find one to take home for supper. Seems to run around 10 wild fish to one hatchery.

Since the N. Fork has no hatchery component in winter, and a wild fish population that sometimes tops 10,000 fish, I guess they thought it could support the taking of some wild fish. I believe there are only 2 river in the state now that allow wild take (could be wrong) North Umpqua and the Elk River.

Another interesting point, wild fish are the first fish present in the river in mid to late November, and run through late March/early April, unlike most rivers these days where hatchery fish are first. Umpqua hatchery fish return mid December to early February, similar to most places. Hope this helps.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Boy that's confusing. If its unclipped fish, it should say unclipped. If its a clip other than adipose, it should say that.

[birdhunter]

Thanks a lot for clearing that up WildHawg. You obviously know what you are talking about. Great info. Answered all my questions.

[Ramstrong]

WildHawg, as far as I know, you are correct except the 2 rivers in Oregon you can retain nates are the Umpqua and Rouge, no longer on the Elk.