The North Umpqua River, located near the town of Roseburg in southern Oregon, is one the most revered steelhead streams in North America. For several generations now, loyal believers have tested their skills on this most challenging of streams. The stream flows through basalt bedrock, which provides unequaled structure and beauty in an unparalleled setting.

From Rock Creek, near the town of Glide, upstream to the Soda Springs dam is a stretch of over 30 river miles, designated as fly fishing only, that is as legendary as any stretch of water in the world. Everything about fishing the North Umpqua is challenging. The wading can be treacherous and deep, the casting long, and the fish temperamental.

Needless to say, resources such as this are scarce, and, unfortunately, there always seem to be forces at work to deplete and exploit them.

The Steamboaters is an organization that started as a social fishing club. When threats to the river became dire, the Steamboaters answered the call and, over the last 30 years, have worked tirelessly to protect this fragile resource.