January 27, 2026 3:40 a.m. 

The Umpqua Fishery Enhancement Derby begins on Wednesday.

The title sponsor for the 34th annual event is the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians.

Events include Student Day in the Rock Creek watershed on Wednesday, Kids Day at Cooper Creek Reservoir on Thursday and the Catch and Release Derby on Friday and Saturday.

Friday evening is the derby dinner and auction at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. It begins at 5:00 p.m. with dinner served at 6:00 p.m. and a program and live auction at 7:00 p.m. Nearly twenty items will be up for bid including a Willie Boat, fishing trips, a South Africa hunting safari, a baking party, luxury getaway at Seven Feathers Casino Resort, and more. There will be a number of items raffled off as well.

A limited number of tickets are still available. They are $75 per person or $750 for a table of ten. To purchase tickets, go to: https://ufed.ejoinme.org/2026 or call Tina Roy at the Douglas Timber Operators at 672-0757.