Gardiner Reedsport Winchester Bay STEP

08/29/2026

September 2nd
Only 3 days to go. Today's rainstorm should cool the river a bit and perhaps turn on a good bite for the weekend.
Last reports had angling picking up the last few days in the lower river. Chinook pushing 20 pounds and even a few keeper Coho have been landed.
Get signed up for the derby and plan on attending our fund-raising raffle. Lots of great prizes.
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08/19/2026

Just 15 days until the derby. You can pre-register at the STEP office at 1841 Wi******er Ave. Reedsport.
The Umpqua River is open to harvest two Chinook salmon per day. One wild fish (non-fin clipped); and one hatchery fish, (fin clipped).
The ocean opens to non-selective Coho harvest, (both non-fin clipped and fin clipped fish on September 1st. Be sure to check ODFW regulations.
Tight Lines & Screaming Drags,
GRWB S.T.E.P.

06/12/2026

MAKE YOUR PLANS NOW!
2026 GRWB STEP Salmon Derby
September 5th, 6th, and 7th, 2026
Cash Prizes for largest and smallest salmon caught
Raffle Drawing on Monday, September 7th.
See full details on our website at:
https://umpquastephatchery.org

05/26/2026

A big "THANK YOU" to the GRWB STEP members who helped with the Memorial Day STEP displays.
And thanks to Doug & Tim for using their trucks as tow vehicles.
YES!! We will be having a Salmon Derby and Fund Raising Raffle over Labor Day Weekend this year.
Looks like Umpqua River anglers will be allowed to keep one "Wild" fall Chinook per day with a total of 5 for the season.
More derby up-dates are to come.
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05/16/2026

ATTENTION SALMON AND STEELHEAD ANGLERS
ROCK CREEK HATCHERY FUNDING
ODFW will be meeting soon to discuss budget recommendations for the 2027 biennium. They currently don’t have any operations funding for Rock Creek in their budget proposal. We need to let them know that we expect them to find funding, especially since there is $17million in insurance money available to put towards rebuilding the hatchery.

If you go to the link below, about ¾ of the way down the page, there is another link…

“We welcome comments and feedback on the 2027-2029 Agency Request Budget through May 29 at this link: HERE”

https://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/budget/

Please share this with your fellow anglers, family, clients, etc. and encourage them to go to this link and comment. You have until the 29th of May.

ACT NOW !!!

ODFW develops its proposed biennial budget request through extensive outreach and input from its many partners and customers. To help develop the 2027-29 agency budget request, we will be hosting two Open House gatherings to share information and gather input. These will be held on April 7 and May 1...

05/14/2026

May 13, 2026
Thank you to all who came out today, on short notice, to help fin clip our pre-smolt. Saw a couple of new faces too. Thanks, again.
Pre-smolt are fin clipped for identification as hatchery raised fish and for scientific study.
Also, when they return, anglers can see easily tell which fish they can harvest or must release.
In a week or two, the pre-smolt will be released in the lower Umpqua River for acclimation and to begin their life's journey.
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05/14/2026

Fin Clipping Chinook salmon pre-smolt for identification as STEP raised fish.

05/11/2026

May 10, 2026
OK Everyone, due to warming water temperatures we have moved our clipping date up to this coming Wednesday, May 13th. Clipping will begin at 8:30 am at the GRWB hatchery facility. We furnish all needed equipment.
Clippers stand at a long table, so if long periods of standing bother you, please bring a tall stool or director's chair. You will be a lot more comfortable.
Your help will be very welcome.
GRWB STEP

05/05/2026

ODFW's recommendation for the 2026 fall Chinook salmon season on the Umpqua River is "one wild fall Chinook salmon per day, 5 for the year".
It's not cast in stone yet, but the Fish & Game Commission is expected to adopt the recommendation in the coming weeks.
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04/30/2026

April 29th
Our little guys are up to 114 per pound now. We Fin clip at 100 per pound. Stay tuned for clipping date and times. They will be posted here.
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