Umpqua river/Smallmouth

Not being an experienced smallmouth bass fisherman, nor native to Oregon, I have zero knowledge of the Umpqua river.  I have read that the smallmouth fishery is fantastic on the river, does anyone know how much of the river is accessible by kayak, specifically a hobie pedal kayak.  Thinking of concentrating my fishing in the Reedsport area this summer, tenmile lake, possibly the Umqua river.  Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks
John

I've fished for smallies on the Umpqua a few times just above Elkton. The action can be pretty much non-stop in the summer, but they average small in size. I think my biggest from there was around 16 inches. I have heard that the spring and early summer is when the bigger fish bite. There are a couple places to launch a kayak a few miles above Elkton. One is called the "slide hole". Its a fairly steep bank where people slide their driftboats down with a rope, or sometimes just ride them down into the water. There is a small rapid about 100 yards down from the slide hole that should be doable in a hobie if you are careful. There is another place to launch just below that rapid if you dont mind carrying your kayak down a short trail. I have launched from both places and floated down to Elkton. The only rapids are the one at the slide hole, and right at the take-out in Elkton. Both are easy if you are careful about it. I chained up a bicycle at the rv park in Elkton and rode it back up to my truck. 

Here is a video of some crazy guy launching his drift boat at the slide hole. Skip to about 1:30. 

And they call us crazy?

That's nuts

The Umpqua Riverfront RV Park has a boat ramp with access to a nice slow section of river. I fished from there back in 2009 and caught my first chinook while fishing for smallmouth on ultralight tackle! Photo in 2009 aoty.

Wow!  That guy had to have welded his flip-flops to his feet.

I've never heard of smallmouth being seasonal like "the bigger ones bite in the Spring".  I think that's just another "You should have been here yesterday..."

Then again, I fished for them back where they're native fish.

Wow!  That guy had to have welded his flip-flops to his feet.

I've never heard of smallmouth being seasonal like "the bigger ones bite in the Spring".  I think that's just another "You should have been here yesterday..."

Then again, I fished for them back where they're native fish.

I think it has to do with when they are spawning. They get aggressive when guarding their nests, and the smaller fish are less aggressive when the water is colder.

Umpqua river is  a great place to fish If you don't get run down by the boats fishing during the Salmon seasons,for Silvers Fish the Windy bay marina area. Small Mouth bass bite Like they say best upriver from Elton some spots to fish are tricky with rapids 1s, 2s and up, , Lots of Nice Sea run trout, too bad you can't keep them the Steelhead fishing is good further up river too, We also have a good Surfperch run and a few Striped bass if you don't mind fishing all night struck in the mud banks in your kayak
 in the cold.And if they would open the sturgeon up HERE, There's allot of Nice Dinos, And if the Ocean is blown out you can Always fish the Oyster triangle.for What ever rock fish , But be warned the river runs fast, Very fast in spots, and can be very tricky, Shoot for the tide change's or ride it another pull out spot. Also easy to as said get stuck in mud, some very deep. But also clamming and allot Crabs. The jetty's and out are Scary with Rough waves. Most of the time When flat Loaded with boat traffic.Again They Aren't looking out for kayakers.All that sid Good luck see you out there, Reedsport is home for me now..Jeff

I think it has to do with when they are spawning. They get aggressive when guarding their nests, and the smaller fish are less aggressive when the water is colder.

Well, again, where smallmouth are native fish, they are not seasonal.  I can believe that transplanted fish behave differently.

As I stated in my 1st post, I'm certainly not an expert, or even knowledgeable bass fisherman, I did find this in a guide to fishing the umpqua in the spring, take it for what you think it's worth. Tinker not disagreeing with your experience, just offering someone elses pov.

"March
The pre-spawn period on the Umpqua is roughly March and April, depending on water temperature. Once females get into that pre-spawn mentality, they are pretty easy targets.

“Anything that comes into their area, they eat it or kill it,"

This is really weird. I was just talking about this float with someone else, then this post shows up!
The slide hole to Elkton is a great day trip. Also, I would love to plan a multi-day float on this river again this summer. Who's down?

Yes, it's true that pre-spawn females are more aggressive than at other times of the year.  No question.  My comment was about larger fish being seasonal.  More fish at certain times?  Most certainly.  Larger fish at certain times?  Not so sure about that.

This is really weird. I was just talking about this float with someone else, then this post shows up!
The slide hole to Elkton is a great day trip. Also, I would love to plan a multi-day float on this river again this summer. Who's down?

I'm down for a day float for sure, and maybe a multi-day.

Yes, it's true that pre-spawn females are more aggressive than at other times of the year.  No question.  My comment was about larger fish being seasonal.  More fish at certain times?  Most certainly.  Larger fish at certain times?  Not so sure about that.

I guess we misunderstood each other then. When I said the bigger fish bite in the spring, I just meant that the bigger fish bite in the spring.

I have fished for a ton of smallies on the south and main umpqua and it's a blast. Best time is in the spring. The females will smoke a rapala! I have always wanted to do a overnight float trip spring or summer. So if you guys get something together count me in! I have a buddy that fishes the bank down by yellow creek and in the spring time catches 4lbers easily!

Here is a good read if your interested and would be a blast in a kayak!
http://www.tnscommunications.net/umpqua-river-smallmouth.html