TU’s Finnerty to Congress: protect SW Oregon salmon and steelhead strongholds

On November 9, Dean Finnerty became the latest Trout Unlimited representative to testify before Congress, when he appeared before the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands in support of the Southwestern Oregon Watersheds and Salmon Protection Act.  Few are more qualified to tout the importance of southwestern Oregon streams for salmon and steelhead than

Umpqua Feather Merchants: a company with steelhead in its DNA

“Removing the Lower Snake River dams is a move to make sure that steelhead and salmon can reach their native waters and continue to inspire generations to come. They are simply too important not to remove a giant thorn in their side.”

North Umpqua fire changes complexion of an iconic river

We stopped first at Swiftwater Park.  My brother, Greg, and I always start there when we fish the North Umpqua searching for summer steelhead.  It’s not much of a park, really. Just some parking next to the river, along with his and her’s vault toilets.   The river is the attraction. This is the final upstream spot before reaching the North’s famous fly-only water. We