Umpqua Summer Basecamp

May 01, 2019 5 min read

Oregon’s North Umpqua River is the quintessential Cascadian river– steep, swift, crystal clear, and incredibly beautiful. It is also an iconic American classic that has captured the souls of countless anglers and drawn them back year after year to test their skills against one of the most challenging and rewarding races of steelhead in the world. The North Umpqua’s 32 miles of “fly only” water are among the most radically regulated waters in the West and prohibit the use of weight throughout the prime summer months. For those who seek the challenge and rewards of catching a steelhead on a dry fly, this is the ultimate playing field.

To share this marvelous venue, we've teamed up with father/son duo David and Dillon Renton of Renton River Adventures. David Renton has over 30 years of guiding and outfitting experience on Oregon's Deschutes River, Prince of Wales Island and most recently the North Umpqua River. David raised his family on these rivers along with wife Debbie, and together they have created the ultimate outfitting team which has become Fly Water Travel's preferred Oregon outfitter. Dillon Renton is not your average steelhead guide. At 27 years of age, he is younger than many but when you factor in that he caught his first steelhead on a fly at age eight and began professionally guiding at 16, it doesn't take long to figure out that he has had more practical experience than many guides twice his age. Following in the footsteps of father David, along with Mother Debbie and younger brother Knut, the Renton family have created Renton River Adventures through hard work and true attention to detail. Both David and Dillon learned the nuances of guiding the North Umpqua through years of understudy with the river's best, Tony Wratney. Simply put, a day spent with David and Dillon on this river is a wonderful way to feel connected to an angling legacy.

The Umpqua Summer Basecamp consists of Montana Canvas center-pole wall tents on raised wooden platforms, a dining tent, fire-ring, shower facility and hammocks spread around camp for afternoon siestas. Meals at camp are gourmet and freshly cooked, designed to satisfy hard-charging steelhead anglers on their quest for an unforgettable dry fly steelhead. For those looking for a camping experience with many of the comforts of home included, this is the perfect summer trip.

Fishing Program

Fly fishing the North Umpqua river for steelhead is a pilgrimage to one of the cradles of our sport. It is a river that has inspired anglers for generations. Like others before them, David and Dillon Renton have fallen under the river’s spell and are eager to share their love and passion for the river and its’ magnificent steelhead.

All fishing days at the Umpqua Summer Basecamp are walk-and-wade trips. Days on the water are fairly athletic, requiring sometimes difficult wading and multiple trips up and down the riverbank. The summer fishing sessions will be spent almost exclusively in the fabled “Fly Only” section of the North Umpqua and offer anglers a great chance to target these amazing fish on dry flies. Anglers fish a “split day” while at the basecamp. This involves rising in the dark and chasing shaded runs and pools for a morning session of about 4 to 5 hours. At around 11:00 AM, guests will return to camp for a hearty meal and early afternoon siesta. Anglers will then reconvene for an evening shade session starting around 3:00 PM and fish until dark. The Renton’s are a fun, responsible and hard-working bunch that love to teach and improve their guest’s skills with two-handed rods. Guests fish 2 per guide, allowing for small groups and personalized instruction on all Umpqua Summer Basecamp trips.

Accommodations and Meals:
Dillon will set up a deluxe tent camp where anglers will fish split-day sessions for the famous summer steelhead of the North Umpqua. Meals are top notch and a mixture of unique dishes thoughtfully prepared and served by your guides. The summer program will have you eating a quick breakfast, so you depart camp early and take advantage of the cool temps and low light conditions that the early morning offers. Lunches will be hearty, filling and served back at camp where you can take a siesta and rest up for the evening shade session. Dinner will be a low carb affair, so guests can sleep well and be ready to once again rise early for a morning session. All meals are timed to take advantage of the best fishing conditions and will have guests satisfied and ready for the great fishing that the North Umpqua offers.

3 Day Summer Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive camp about 2PM and prepare for an evening of fishing.
Day 2 - 3: Split days of guided fishing include an AM session and PM session with a siesta in between. All meals and camp accommodations included.
Day 4: Breakfast followed by an AM session of guided fishing. Lunch and depart camp for home.

Rates and Details
Species: Summer steelhead
Season: July – August
Capacity: 4 anglers
2019 Rates: $1,950 per person for a 3 night / 3 day package
$1,450 per person for a 2 night / 2 day package

Included: Accommodations and meals at the camp, guided fishing, rods/reels, flies and/or terminal tackle.
Not Included: Transportation to/from the camp, waders and studded boots, alcohol, staff and guide gratuities. Note: guests will need to bring their own sleeping bag.

Recommended Tackle:
Below are the specific setups that Destination Manager Andy Archer recommends when visiting the Umpqua Summer Basecamp:

Dry-Line/Scandi Setup (Essential)
Rod: Sage 13’ 7-weight X (7130-4)
Reel: Sage SPEY Reel 6/7/8
Line: RIO Scandi Short 480 gr
Leaders: RIO Spey VersiLeaders or Steelhead/Salmon Tapered Leaders
Tippet: RIO Steelhead/Salmon Tippet 12 lb

Skagit/Sink-Tip Setup (Essential)
Rod: Sage 12’ 7-weight X (7120-4)
Reel: Sage SPEY Reel 6/7/8
Line: RIO Skagit Max Short, 500 gr
Tips: InTouch Skagit MOW Tips – Medium
Tippet: RIO Steelhead/Salmon Tippet 16 lb

Single-Hand Spey Setup (Optional)
Rod: Sage 10’ 7-weight X (7100-4)
Reel: Sage SPECTRUM LT 7/8
Line: RIO Single Handed Spey WF7F
Leader: RIO Steelhead/Salmon Tapered Leader 12’ 16 lb
Tippet: RIO Steelhead/Salmon Tippet 12 lb

Waders & Boots
Waders: Redington Sonic-Pro HDZ
Boots: Redington Prowler, Felt Sole
Note: It is strongly recommended that studs are used on wading boots.

Expert Q&A - Umpqua Summer Basecamp

Dillon is not your average steelhead guide. At 25 years of age, he is younger than many but when you factor in that he caught his first steelhead on a fly at age eight and began professionally guiding at 16, it doesn’t take long to figure out that he has had more practical experience than many guides twice his age. Dillon grew up in an outfitting family and following in the footsteps of father David, along with mother Debbie and younger brother Knut, the Renton family have created Renton River Adventures through hard work and true attention to detail. Click here to read his Expert Q&A Article about the North Umpqua.