Montana Fish Report

Beginning Thursday, September 6, the North Umpqua River fly area reopens to afternoon angling. Fishing hours return to one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.

An emergency regulation began August 6 to close afternoon fly angling from the fly area boundary at Deadline Falls to the marker below Soda Springs Dam to protect wild summer steelhead. The closure, due to high water temperatures and exceptionally low flows, was to be in effect through September 30 but cooler water temperatures prompted fishery managers to reopen the area early.

“Currently, the North Umpqua River is about 10 degrees cooler than it was in early August when we put the restriction in place, and it looks like we’re past the hot weather hurdle. We are confident fly anglers can now fish in the afternoons and evenings again and enjoy some of the best angling opportunities of the year,” said Greg Huchko, Umpqua District Fish Biologist. “We appreciate everyone’s understanding and observance of this rule over the past month.”