Umpqua smallmouth questions

[venetafisher]

Full disclosure: I've never fished the Umpua, never caught a smallie, and am fairly new to kayak fishing. That said, I live less than an hour north of Elkton, and would like to take the kayak out for smallmouth fairly soon. What I think I'm looking for is a place to launch on a decent sized stretch of water without rapids or chutes, so that I can take out where I put in (it's just me, no shuttle options), and where the flow is manageable. That part may not be a concern since it's been such a dry year, and flows seem to be pretty low, but I'm looking for helpful info. Thanks!

 

[kemfish]

Scottsburg county park is an easy launch and lots of river you can fish. Upriver, some shallow rocks, especially at low tide, but also some deep holes, good number of fish in those rocks. There are some rapid spots upriver of the bridge a little ways that limit you that way. Downriver, I think you could easily travel to the mouth, but I haven't fished that way much so can't comment on the opportunities that way

Umpqua landing has a reasonable stretch you can fish, upriver and downriver. Lots of rocky stuff for the smallies. Be aware a creek comes in next to the launch and I think you aren't allowed to fish within 200/300??? feet of the mouth. not a big deal,I've caught a lot of fish there

I haven't fished it, but I've read about people fishing the forks area from a kayak with success

I go with a light or ultra lite rod and the 9-10" fish that dominate the river are a blast on the light tackle.