I am beginning to learn how to fish the N. Umqua river in Southern Oregon for Spring Chinook and Summer Steelies. The water on the river right now is high and cold due to the snow runoff. As a result the fishing is extremely slow. I was on the river this morning at 5:30, wedged my way between fishermen into a spot at a good hole. Everybody's using bobbers and either sand shrimp, roe, or a combination. I fished til about 9:00 and saw one small King taken on a half mile stretch of the river. The Chinook have been running hot since the water went up. Any ideas on how to speed things up a bit?

abe_bowhunter.
I am not just telling you this because I sell rags, but in high water they are deadly, ask anyone who fishes with them. When everyone is tossing eggs and shrimp under a bobber, try drifting a rag with a shrimp cocktail. Alot of times showing a fish something new or different is the best you thing you could do. What do you have to loose? You are standing on the river bank anyways, why not try something new and you may be suprised at what turns up. As far as rags go, email me for some colors that I can let you know about that may increase you hook ups.

Thanks,
Andy Matthews http://The_Steelhead_Solution.homestead.com

abe,
Try fishing the hole just below rock creek ( the fly only deadline) under the bridge there is a deep slot. Ive fished there in the past. Cross the bridge and fish the top end of the hole. Try drift fishing it with lots of weight to slow your offering. I like to use a bigger bait when the water is high and cold.
The fishing will pick up when the water warms up a bit. Spring chinook are most active when the water approaches 54 degrees.

willierower,

Actually I was fishing that deep hole right under the bridge and the sandy bar just downstream. Are you talking about the fast current there right under the bridge or the really narrow seam between the current and the rock shelf? On that side of the river, downstream about 40 yards is a rocky cliff with a fairly narrow pool. Twice I've seen guys pull one from the tail end of that pool when nothing else was happening. However, you have to get to the river about 4:00 to get that spot, and they have a lot of trouble with snags. How does diving bait behind a plug do in that section of river? I'm going to try it agian early this week, I'll let you know how I do.