After reading my buddy Marty's post regarding the vast amount of info we process as guides, I wanted to add my 2 cents.

When guiding on any river you need to have a plan......at least most of the time. Sometimes it is loosely based sometimes it is a hard line.  The NU is unique in that it is a drive, walk and wade river. This allows for multiple shots at certain runs that you would like to fish. Many times others like these runs as well. That is where knowing the river comes into play. As I drive the river I usually have spots in mind that I want to fish. The plan can change rapidly when someone is occupying a run that is on the hit list. When you see an occupied run a couple of things start to happen in my head very fast. First, I immediately think of the next run that would be worth stopping at. 2nd,as I pass the occupied run I am calculating a number of things. Do I know the person in the run? Does that person know where the fish are? Does he know where my favorite fish is in the run? Can he cover said fish? Is he standing in the right spot? Or is the person fishing there a newer fisherman to the river and clueless to the particulars of that run? These all contribute to weather or not I come back and fish the run later after that person is gone.

When fish are moving there are many runs that I will follow people through without a problem. I have a good sense of many of the anglers on the river and know who to follow through a run and who not to follow through a run. That of course can all change on a dime too and there are days that I will follow the best fishermen through because I have a feeling about a particular run. Often I will fish the run differently than they did and use a completely different approach. Adjusting cast angles etc to show the fish a different look.

Anyway, after passing the run that was plan A, I am looking for plan B. Driving at 50,all the while calculating time of day,sun angle,shadows, traffic on the water, fish movements and location in the river,wet footprints in runs etc. Plan B comes into view and someone is there as well, fishing it from the trail side. I quickly move on by that run making the same observations as I made passing Plan A. I always learn stuff on the river all the time, often from watching other people. The day I quit learning or think I have this river dialed will be the day I quit....it will never happen. Too much still to learn, so much more to know!

On and on it goes, sometimes passing many runs before you find an opening. All the while the calculations and observations are clicking off in your head. Ooh there's Vanman in Smith Springs, Nevada Red was in Famous, Fishbum is everywhere today I can't shake him! Dang it Wratney corked me in Honey Creek! Mikey is ghosting around upriver, Frank Moore is in Mill Run. Rich is in Wright Creek, Scott is in Lower B, Uncle Jeff is in The Bakers. Clueless dude is standing in the middle of the river in a no name run, casting in the frog water.

And so it goes, the endless cycle of fishing,driving, getting into runs first, getting into runs last. Trusting your skills and instincts to put you on a fish. Sometimes this may mean driving from the Deadline to the upper river because you have a feeling about a certain run. I have learned to trust those feelings and do what my senses tell me. I have been rewarded enough to know those feelings don't come by chance.The more you know the river the more backup plans you have. The more observant you are about not just where you fish but where others are fishing, the better chances you have at being in the right place at the right time.

Why do we chase this now near mythical creature?

Why do we as fishermen keep casting and swinging when it seems as if the last grab you had was months ago?

Why do we keep fishing,exploring new runs and covering others that always produce without getting even a sniff?

Why do we drive late into the night and early into the morning to fish rivers and places that may or may not produce a steelhead on a swung fly?

Why do we obsess about flies,lines,leaders rods and reels like a mother over a newborn baby?

Why do we let our fishing obsession spill over into our home life and sometimes strain relationships,finances,and vehicle longevity?

Why don't we take up golf instead?

The reason is simple.The steelhead has gotten into our soul, it has become part of us. We don't know where it ends and where we begin. Our past random encounters with this fish have stayed with us and we can't forget the feeling of being connected to one.The lightning bolt feel of being tethered to a wild fish with nothing more than a few ounces of gear in hand is hard to describe to someone who does not know. You would be hard pressed to find a fish with the fight and beauty that steelhead offer. It is one of God's most amazing animals,it's life cycle and range in the ocean is still almost a complete mystery.It is unmatched in the piscatorial world. The locations and surroundings in which these fish can be found are legendary. The brotherhood of like minded individuals is the glue which keeps this pursuit alive.Knowing there are others as afflicted with this obsession as we are is comforting sometimes.We fish for steelhead because it is inside us now. There is no going back,there is no giving up. There is no other fish or compromise that satisfies as the steelhead does. Each fish is special and we cherish each one when it comes.

As much as you want to quit it all sometimes and do something else, you can't. It's ingrained in you now, you can't shake it.

Don't even try..........

When you are walking the paths and enjoying the pursuit of these fish remember from whom these great gifts come.Celebrate the Creator,the giver of all good things. 

If you see an old VW Rabbit on the side of the road, stop by,say hi and shake the hand of the man who is responsible for spearheading much of the wild fish conservation efforts on the North. Frank is a legend on the river and a fine gentleman as well. Next time you drive by the run at Rip Rap point(Elevation Rock tourist Pool)imagine a dam stretched across the river at that point, blocking free travel forever to salmon and steelhead up Steamboat and Canton Creek. He was behind a grassroots effort that said "NO WAY ARE YOU PUTTING A DAM IN THERE" Guess what? He and others spoke up and the project never happened. Thanks Frank! While you are on the river enjoying it's beauty, think about those that came before and think about how you can help to keep the legacy and legendary status of this great river alive. Mark

Good things come to those who skate!

A couple of the values of the Steamboaters worth noting( from their mission statement):

1)Protect,preserve and restore fish habitat. Promote and support the natural genetic diversity of North Umpqua wild fish stocks.

2) Preserve the scenic values of the North Umpqua River

3)Educate the public to the values and importance of wild fish stocks

4)Promote and preserve the  tradition of fly fishing and the fraternity of fly fishers that fish the waters of the North Umpqua river.

5) Protect and preserve the fly fishing  only regulations on the North Umpqua river

6) Promote good sportsmanship and a code of ethics among ALL anglers





Have fun out there!