Page 48 - SOUTHERN OREGON MAGAZINE FALL 2019

they were 100 years ago. The mining and logging practices of the early
1900's often left river valleys looking like war-torn wastelands. The
impact of these industry practices resulted in alarmingly low numbers of
returning salmon and steelhead. The middle of last century brought the
steelhead of the Rogue River to the brink of extinction. However, we've
learned from our mistakes and current practices are far more sensible in
protecting our streams and the water that flows in them. You can't help
but be optimistic when you witness, first-hand, the recovery of so many
of our small tributaries that ultimately are the life-blood of the Rogue.
Q – Why is Southern Oregon a good place to call home?

Scott – It’s a great place to raise kids and it just happens to be a spec-
tacular place for my line of work. Our weather is amazing here. I went
to school at the U of O and literally by February I just wanted to be
done with it. I couldn’t stand the rain. I got tired of putting on the same
wet raincoat that I’d taken off the night before. There are just so many
things that Southern Oregon offers. Obviously, the biggest part is fishing
for me. I was a guide in Alaska and British Columbia for years. Both are
world-class steelhead fisheries, but, I don’t know that there’s anything
more special than what we have in our own backyard. If I had only one
spot to fish before I was buried, I’d want it to be on the North Umpqua.
That’s the pinnacle of the sport, fishing a dry fly on the North Umpqua.

scott@scotthowellfishing.com
541-621-2818

46 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | fall 2019