Despite the loss of smolts due to the Archie Creek fire, we have still been seeing a fair number of hatchery steelhead being caught. Steelhead fishing has picked up over the last week, but still below an average year. However, there are still plenty of wild fish about to keep anglers busy while they hunt for hatchery fish.

The conditions are great right now, but you can expect muddied waters as we get rain later this week. Anglers have had some success between Stanton Park to Seven Feathers Casino, but also down into the Myrtle Creek area has been seeing more boats launched this week.

Anglers are encouraged to submit steelhead snouts in barrels stationed at many boat ramps throughout the Umpqua drainage, or at the ODFW office in Roseburg. These snouts being used in a study to determine the best smolt release strategy to optimize angling opportunities while maintaining a healthy fishery. Anglers who submit snouts may be entered into monthly drawings for gift cards to Sportsman’s Warehouse. Email Levi.m.simmons@odfw.oregon.gov for more information on the program and locations of collection barrels.