THE FISH

Steelhead

Steelhead are anadromous or sea-going rainbow trout. They are noble, majestic creatures that care and command respect. Steelhead grow quite large during their time in the open ocean, feeding voraciously on crustaceans, squid, and the occasional smaller fish. They enjoy a wide range of distribution along the Pacific coasts both in North America and Asia. Some of the world's greatest runs of wild steelhead can be found along the coastal and inland areas of Oregon and in the raging rivers that crisscross the volcano-pocked tundra of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.

Scott Howell has fly fished and guided for steelhead professionally in both geographic regions. In Scott's beloved home waters of southern Oregon, there are distinct winter and summer runs of wild steelhead, allowing anglers to fly fish for this tremendous species on a year-round basis.


Winter Steelhead
December - April 15

Scott Howell on winter steelhead:

"Winter is my favorite time to chase steelhead with the fly. The crowds are gone and the fish are big. This is the time when you have a legitimate shot of catching the 20-pound chromer of your dreams.

Our winter season kicks off around Thanksgiving on the lower Umpqua. We fish for chrome-bright steelhead just off the tide. Some years this can be the most exciting fishing of the winter.

After our first big rains, we will start fishing the South Umpqua. I believe this is the most overlooked fly fishery in the state of Oregon.

By the first of January we will be ringing in the New Year by fishing the lower North Umpqua, South Umpqua and a number of coastal rivers. Where we fish always depends upon on the weather, and versatility plays a big role in our ultimate success.

From mid-February through the first part of April we can start fishing the Rogue, Applegate, and upper North Umpqua. The Rogue and Applegate can often be a saving grace in the winter months because of the dam controlled flows. But to go out and truly have a shot at that monster of a lifetime, winter on the North Umpqua is hard to beat!

All of my winter guiding (excluding the fly fishing only section of the North Umpqua) consists of drift and jet boat trips. The day is usually spent combining both traditional wade-and-swing fishing along with side-drifting indicators from the boat. Let me make it very clear for you hard core traditional swing fly anglers (like me), there is plenty of swing water if that's your thing -- we can leave the bobbers at home!"


Summer Steelhead
April 15 - December 31

Scott Howell on summer steelhead:

"Summer steelhead are the fish that made the Rogue and North Umpqua famous. Given the warmer water temperatures, these fish are very aggressive and are often caught on dry flies.

Summer fly fishing begins in April on the Willamette River. These are drift boat trips near the city of Eugene. Most people are chasing spring chinook at this time, so we often have the best steelhead water all to ourselves.

By the end of June, our long-awaited summer runs arrive on the North Umpqua. As the only on-sight guide at Steamboat Inn, I have guiding access to the North Umpqua's legendary fly only section. This is a special use area of the National Forest with a limited number of guide permits -- the stuff of a steelhead junkie's dreams!

Steelhead on the Rogue generally show up in August. As far as numbers go, this is some of the best steelhead fishing on the planet. Multiple hookup days are the norm.  Most seasons I will go without a fishless day on the Rogue.  And, let me make it very clear for you hard core traditional swing anglers (like myself), I strictly cater to swing fisherman during my summer/fall season.  Don't believe a word you hear about the Rogue fish eating nothing but nymphs. These fish love the swung fly. I even catch them on dries!  To top it off, the section of river I fish is pool after pool of classic water that lends itself perfectly to tossing the spey rod and swinging a tight line."


Fall Steelhead
September - December 31

Typically when anglers think of BIG steelhead, they think of autumn colors, rugged canyons carved by barreling rivers, and the pull of a bullish fish fresh from the ocean.

Scott Howell has access to some fantastic fly fishing opportunities during his fall steelhead season, and anglers expecting the fall colors, beautiful canyons, and big fish won't be disappointed.

Scott Howell on Fall Steelhead:

"Both the Rogue and North Umpqua have a distinct late run of summer steelhead that we like to call our 'fall fish.' As the summer days grow cooler and the nights longer, we begin to see our water temperatures drop. With these cooler river temps, we see a new blast of fish each fall. These fish will keep us in hot action until at least Thanksgiving. As a matter of fact, our best fishing on the Rogue generally doesn't even start until the end of September and often lasts well into December.

As one would guess, with the cooler fall temperatures, we spend less time skating the dry and more time swimming big bugs on light sink tips. Just what the doctor ordered for those of you who live for that 'BIG PULL.' Each year I usually see my biggest fish of my summer/fall fishery during these late season months. The other fall bonus worth noting is that generally the later into the season you get, the less pressure there is on the water. I have days each November where I am the only guide on a section of river."


Trout
May - October

Southern Oregon's rivers are famous for the aggressive strain of rainbow trout often referred to as the Oregon “redband” or “redside” trout. These fish do not grow unusually large, but they pack a punch and are known in fly angling circles for their long, powerful runs and energetic jumping ability. Redsides will commonly take well presented dry flies and other surface flies, making fly fishing for these feisty creatures a blast. There are also other opportunities to catch large brown trout and cutthroat trout throughout southern Oregon's rich river system.

Trout fishing in Scott Howell's favorite rivers is at its very best from spring to fall, coinciding with the prolific insect hatches that provide rich stores of food for Oregon's trout population.

Scott Howell on Trout:

"The Rogue and North Umpqua may have two of the country's most overlooked trout fisheries. One of the few positive things resulting from Lost Creek Dam on the Rogue was the increase in aquatic life resulting from controlled flows. Along with this came a robust trout fishery that never existed prior to the dam. The Rogue's prolific caddis and salmon fly hatches can make for great dry fly fishing for rainbow trout.

The upper section of the North Umpqua has some of the biggest wild trout in the state; in the state; fly anglers have the opportunity to catch rainbows, cutthroats, and browns up to 20 inches all on the same day. Very few people target these fish, so they are uneducated, to say the least. Dumb trout are good trout!

Fishing with a weighted fly on the North Umpqua is not allowed, therefore nymphing is out of the question. Similar to the Rogue, our summer hatches can provide some great dry fly action. Skating muddlers can also be an exciting way to catch these trout."

Contact Scott
(541) 608-0403
Scott@ScottHowellFishing.com