January 20, 2020 10:00 a.m.
The 28th Annual Umpqua Fishery Enhancement Derby begins on January 29th.
Presented by Douglas Timber Operators and the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce, the series of events benefit fish restoration, enhancement and education projects.
Activities include:
*January 29th is Student Day where about 20 high school students work with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and staff from the Rock Creek Fish Hatchery at the hatchery east of Glide, to learn about spawning steelhead and other hatchery responsibilities.
*January 30th is Kid’s Day where approximately 75 fifth-grade students from Eastwood Elementary School in Roseburg head to Cooper Creek Reservoir outside of Sutherlin for a morning of fishing with the Derby’s professional guides and enjoy other boating activities on the lake. Students are presented with a life jacket courtesy of North River Boats to take home.
*January 31st the popular catch-and-release steelhead derby begins with 40 teams of over 80 anglers in 40 drift boats, fishing on the North, South and Mainstem of the Umpqua River.
*Friday night January 31st the dinner and auction at the Douglas County Fairgrounds runs from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Those attending will bid on boats, fishing trips, four-wheelers, day trips and many other items. Proceeds all go to projects benefitting the Umpqua Basin. Tickets for the evening, which includes dinner, are $50 per person.
Organizers said the derby has contributed more than $1.6 million towards fish habitat restoration projects in the 27 years it has taken place. All funds provided by the derby are matching funds, which translates into a big investment in the Umpqua Basin fishery.
To reserve tickets for the dinner and auction or to get more information about the event, call 672-0757.
Paul Beck will talk more about the Umpqua Fishery Enhancement Derby on Inside Douglas County Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. on News Radio 1240 KQEN