Umpqua river/Smallmouth

It's on my bucket list to put 50+ smallies in my boat in a day!

It's on my bucket list to put 50+ smallies in my boat in a day!

You could probably check that off the list off a few times on a good 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.

If it's anything like the John Day, the high concentration of fish means that little fish almost always beat the big fish to the bait.  Early season, when the water is still relatively cold, the little fish are lethargic and big fish have a better chance of getting to your bait first.

-Mark-
 

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.

It's mostly true. Eastern oregon big one like to eat EARLY in the morning in the summer.

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.

It's mostly true. Eastern oregon big one like to eat EARLY in the morning in the summer.

As well as spring time. Guy above me nailed it with Temps or so my experience and bio degree say. Heavy on the experience and light on the education.

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 would be down for a camping/fishing/float trip.....

Two trips in one year.  Hmmm. Planning on being in the area probably in late July with the family for some camping and yak fishing.

Well... there are bigger fish there to catch. Yes Mark, I have seen them but could never get them to bite. It was always middle to late in the summer though when the water is warm. Earlier in the Spring could be a better bite for bigger fish, but me personally I would enjoy this outing/float a whole lot more later in the season when it is warm in sandals, shorts, and t-shirt versus dry gear.  I guess it depends on what you seek. I think more folks/families would enjoy taking advantage of the great swimming holes, possibly doing re-entry practice, and little chance of rain and getting wet and cold. And you are still going to catch 100-200+ fish in a day.

The time is right... Ocean and coastal conditions are blown out and I need a nature fix. Anyone up for a float this weekend or at least a day trip?

Had an Epic day float on the water with ReelMcCoy on the Umpqua! So much water... So many fish... Here are a couple of shots from the day.

Nice work!! River smallie fishing has been my go to over the last month or so. It looks like you guys caught some nice ones!