January 31, 2024 3:40 a.m.
This year’s Umpqua Fishery Enhancement Derby is underway, with a series of events happening through Saturday.
The derby is held to benefit fish restoration, enhancement and education projects in the Umpqua Basin. The Presenting Sponsor is the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians.
The schedule includes:
*Student day is Wednesday. Local high school students spend a day at Rock Creek watershed learning about stream habitat and restoration projects, fish species and life histories, forestry and forest management, law enforcement, and career opportunities in natural resources
*Kid’s Day is Thursday. Starting at around 10:00 a.m., 80 fifth-grade students from Eastwood Elementary School head to Cooper Creek Reservoir for a morning of fishing with the Derby’s professional fishing guides followed by an exciting jet boat ride on the lake. Students are presented with a life jacket to take home. The event recognizes the students for their outstanding learning program and their fish-rearing facility on Deer Creek that enhances fishery in the Umpqua Basin.
*The popular catch-and-release steelhead derby happens Friday and Saturday with approximately 40 teams of 80+ anglers and 40 guides in drift boats, enjoying two days fishing the North, South and mainstem Umpqua River, trying to hook the most fish in the tournament. It showcases the many outstanding professional fishing guides and numerous community sponsors that help make the event a success each year.
*The derby dinner and auction are Friday at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. It begins at 5:00 p.m. and draws around 700 people each year. Auction items include a Willie Boat, guided fishing trips, an African hunting safari, four-wheeler, guns, day trips and many other items. A few tickets are still available at $75 per person. Call 672-0757 to get signed up.
The derby has contributed $2 million dollars towards fishery enhancement, watershed restoration and education in the 31 years of the event. All money raised stays in Douglas County and provides matching funds for several projects annually.
For more information on the Umpqua Fishery Enhancement Derby, go to: https://www.facebook.com/UmpquaDerby/