Umpqua Shad on the Fly

Chromaflage · 12-27-2003, 09:06 PM

I've heard stories about people fly fishing for shad on the Umpqua. Does anyone still do that? If so, when does that happen?

Thanks

ORS

RogueFisher · 12-28-2003, 08:24 AM

Fly fishing on the Umpqua happens April-June depending on the water level.

Access is limited on the Main Umpqua.

Some of the best flyfishing for shad happens from the town of Umpqua on the river downstream to Yellow Creek. Their is a bridge crossing the river at Umpqua. Their is also a boat ramp at this location. Their is another boat ramp about 5-6 miles downstream. Perfect for a driftboat run.

As far as flies that work call Larry's City Sporting Goods in Sutherlin for the best advice.

wade · 12-28-2003, 02:58 PM

Early May is a good safe date to plan. Also Arlen's in Elkton will give you the skinny on whether or not the run is in. I hit the water early in the run because I like high levels and use rubber squiggly jigs, but the flyfishers I know prefer lower water which is later in the run.

Kevin

Chromaflage · 12-28-2003, 03:27 PM

So, what kind of presentation do you use - dead drift (like nymphing), greased line, etc?

tailchaser · 12-29-2003, 10:02 AM

I catch a ton of them at Sawyers Rapids in the Spring when the water levels drop. You can either cast and strip slowly (type II,III sink) or when I get tired of that I'll let it hang out 20' in front of the boat and set it in the rod holder working in the current. Pretty easy really. Mimic any of the shad darts in colors and shape and you should catch plenty.

tc

skein · 12-31-2003, 08:00 AM

I like the run from Osprey to Tyee. There's some pretty good fly water in there and it's not as crowded as Sawyers. They're pretty ready biters so the presentation doesn't have to be delicate; just get it down to their level and in front of them. I use a heavy sinking line (that is hard on my abilities and patience) and pink is my go-to color, with a little chartruese if they're being finicky. I enjoy it sooooo much that I have a separate tackle box just for shad. I'll go out and see what flies I have left and maybe post a couple of pics of my favorites.

Wade is right on when he says wait a little for the lower water. It also gives 'em time to get up into the system. They are a real hoot on a flyrod even though you won't catch as many as you will with a weighted jig.

Skein

RogueFisher · 01-01-2004, 06:29 PM

Skein,

I wouldn't be so sure that the leaded jigs catch more.

2 years ago I watched a guy fishing just below where Hubbard Creek dumps into the Umpqua. This guy was fishing a sink tip line and very simple flies he tied with just some yarn on silver hooks about a size 6. He probably hooked about 30 fish 3-5 lbs each in 3 hours. He finally quit because his arms were tired.

In the same time frame we fished with spinning rods and leaded jigs and caught 5-6 fish between the three of us.

I guess he just had the right offering at the right time.

The shad's color preference seems to change each year. Most years Chartreuse will always work.
:grin:

wade · 01-01-2004, 06:37 PM

Roguefisher, You really need to find the "bucket". Depending on where you are sometimes the slot is only a couple feet wide, and you need to get close to the bottom. Most folks use some type of weight to get the offering down, whether its a lead-head, weighted fly, or sinktip.

Kevin

Chromaflage · 01-01-2004, 11:36 PM

This is something I've wanted to try for a long time. Hopefully, I will be able to get over there this year when they start running.

ORS

Tugjunkie · 01-07-2004, 10:18 PM

ORS
Hope you make it to give this a shot, shad are a blast on the fly and good practice for swinging
into a slot ...when conditions are right it can be non stop action, also they are a great bait for crab.
Keepem tight
Rick

Chromaflage · 01-07-2004, 10:26 PM

Will certainly try - hopefully, I can get someone to let me know "when it's time" and maybe school me on this. Spring's acomin' :grin:

ORS

skein · 01-08-2004, 01:22 AM

ORS,

Middle of May is the kick-off time, although there will be shad in the river before then. Let's get together and I'll take you on the Osprey-Tyee run. Too much fun!

Warning: At least four of my friends have gone home and bought driftboats simply because of that trip. How would you like that on your conscience? :grin:

Skein

wade · 01-08-2004, 06:50 AM

Hey Skein, I've never been up that high, how's the fishing pressure?

Kevin

skein · 01-08-2004, 07:16 AM

Wade,

Pressure is very light and there's some good holding water as well as migration chutes. There's a couple places you need to be aware of when you're drifting it, but nothing too tricky.

It takes a little while for the fish to get up there, depending on the flow. This year might be no problem at all with all the snowpack.

Wanna go?

I've got a couple trips that are IOU's to Ifishers from last year (ya listening GRB?) so I intend to be on the river quite a bit. When I start hitting them I'll let you know. Let's do a drift.

Skein

Chromaflage · 01-08-2004, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by skein:
ORS,

Middle of May is the kick-off time, although there will be shad in the river before then. Let's get together and I'll take you on the Osprey-Tyee run. Too much fun!

Warning: At least four of my friends have gone home and bought driftboats simply because of that trip. How would you like that on your conscience? :grin:

Skein

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">:shocked: :shocked: :shocked:

Thanks for the offer!! Let's stay in touch on that... :grin:

ORS

wade · 01-08-2004, 12:46 PM

skein,

Sounds good to me, thanks. I'm always up for learning new water. We can even use my boat if you want, I'm pretty good at the oars if I can spot the obstacles or ID a tricky entry. That's one of my favorite rivers for steelhead as well.

Kevin

Tugjunkie · 01-08-2004, 09:54 PM

ORS
If ur not able to hook up with Skien, give me a shout and I'll take ya to a couple of walk-in
spots below yellow creek.

Skein

Regarding the Osprey-Tyee drift, would a beginner in a pontoon be asking for trouble? or is there another drift you would recommend?
Also do you have a lot of success when their holding? it seems I do a little better hitting the migration slots. Thanks..

Keepem tight
Rick

Chromaflage · 01-08-2004, 09:56 PM

thanks to both of you...just let me know when they start runnin' well and I'm on it! :grin:

ORS

skein · 01-09-2004, 07:32 PM

Tug,

I dunno - since I don't know anything about 'toon boats. There's a couple of chutes where you kinda have to be lined up before you zip through, but they are at least short. There's a couple places where there's some standing waves, but not what I would call technical. Then there's the other place.

That one is a drop, fast and hard, with a big rock right where the water wants to go. I must mentally try to hit it every time because so far I'm 100%. I usually kid myself that I'm gonna miss it this time, but it just grins and says, "C'mon, punk, make my day." I'm not sure I'd like it in a pontoon, but again, I have no feel for their maneuverability or stability.

Why don't you hitch a ride with one of us this spring and look it over. Then you can decide.

Skein

Gizmo Man · 01-09-2004, 09:06 PM

When they start running, Oregon City puts out tons of them. Have ff for them with BOE last couple of years.

Contact me when you read they are in and lets pull some lips.

Giz...

Chromaflage · 01-09-2004, 10:21 PM

Giz - FF in OC?

Tugjunkie · 01-09-2004, 10:33 PM

Skien
Thanks for the offer, I was hoping you would suggest that :grin: I look forward to getting to know all I can about the Umpqua...I really feel lucky to be so close to such a treasure.... after the shad.....smallies....like you said, too much fun!..

Keepem tight
Rick

speyfly · 01-10-2004, 08:25 AM

Another good Umpqua location and it has very easy access to a shad honey hole is the "Forks area" just outside of Roseburg. At the confluence of the North and South Umpqua the shad really stack up on the South River side of the current. You can launch your toon at the boat ramp just below the forks a few hundred yard and row up river, cross over the main current to the South River side and your there. The shad run up the
South Umpqua so stay to that side of the river and fish the seam where the North and South River meet and you will have all the shad you want.

I like to use a 7wt rod and a full sinking type 4 to 6 line. Cast quartering down stream, make a big mend to let the fly sink deeply and swing the fly into the bucket then strip it back to the boat slowly. Don�t set the hook cause you�ll rip the fly out of their mouth. Have fun and don�t be surprised if you hook a Springer!

[ 01-10-2004, 01:23 PM: Message edited by: speyfly ]

Tugjunkie · 01-10-2004, 08:10 PM

Speyfly
great info, appreciate the details....

Keepem tight
Rick

wade · 01-10-2004, 08:39 PM

Hey Speyfly, I just might have to forego my bank hole and give your spot a try. :smile: If you want to give it a shot let me know, otherwise I'll freeze you some crab bait. Is a 9Wt enough rod for a Springer?

Kevin

Tanner · 01-10-2004, 11:21 PM

ORS,
I am with Giz. We slay them on fly rods up at the OC Falls in June and early July.

speyfly · 01-11-2004, 08:27 AM

Good morning Kevin. Don't know if I will make it down to Roseburg for shad but I'm planning a trip to fish with u and Steve during the March Brown hatch if Cougar is not spittin out mud the spring. What do you think it will look like this year? If you want we can hit the Willamettte up here this year, I need crab bait too. Either way your about 2 hours either direction. And yes on the 9wt. Plenty of room to fight one there.

[ 01-11-2004, 10:00 AM: Message edited by: speyfly ]

skein · 01-11-2004, 05:44 PM

Hey, you guys, you're right - Oregon City is awesome for shad. But.... it's the same distance for me to come up there (and fight traffic and crowds) as it is to go to the Umpqua. Needless to say I usually head south. And that's why most of my shad knowledge is based around that area. It's also a totally different experience than OC, with its rock ledges and little chutes, and pools and drops. Kinda neat down there, but certainly no better fishing than up north.

I just didn't want you to think I was touting one over the other.

Skein

garyk · 01-13-2004, 11:20 PM

Last year was the first time I've fished the Multnomah Channel for shad.

Since they were so thick there (the last weeks of May and early June), and the water was usually about 10' to 13', this year we'll mess around with the flyrods.

In the moderate currents there at Coon Island, I think I can use a rig like this:

~3' leader // 5' 850 Deepwater Express head // 25' Amnesia monofilament // Cortland running line.

The Amnesia mono cuts through the current and helps keep the head down at the bottom. Some braided spectra-type line would be thinnner and even better but awfully tough on your hands.