Welcome to Jody Smith’s Guide Service, a premier hunting and fishing guide service in Southern Oregon. In operation for over 25 years in Oregon, we offer guided fishing trips in Oregon, with Umpqua River fishing for salmon,sturgeon, smallmouth bass, shad, and steelhead, as well as various hunting adventures throughout the state of Oregon for elk, turkey, black bear, blacktail deer, and waterfowl.
Jody Smith is a fifth generation resident of Elkton, Oregon, nestled in the renowned Umpqua River Valley. Since an early age Smith has been pursuing the unique fish and wildlife in this part of the Pacific Northwest. Now, Smith has turned his firsthand knowledge and years of expertise to the public, offering guided fishing and hunting trips for some of the West’s most prized quarry. From his doorstep, Jody Smith has the opportunity to get you on world-class Roosevelt elk, cunning Columbia blacktail deer and what many consider to be the finest turkey hunting west of the Mississippi. In addition, the area Smith hunts holds Oregon’s highest population density of black bears, which can be dynamite in both spring and fall. Waterfowl hunting on private land is world class, with top quality dog’s and gear provided.
When it comes to fishing, the Umpqua River is arguably the top stream in the entire West. Here, Smith’s family property borders the river, and he has direct access to some of the best fishing holes. Noted as a premier river for spring and fall Chinook, Smith is dialed in to these prizefighting, delectable eating fish. Capable of tipping the scales to 40 pounds or more, Umpqua River salmon attract anglers from around the globe.
In addition to spring run Chinook, the American shad start making their way into the mainstem Umpqua. From May through June, it’s not uncommon to hook over 50 shad a day, and once you discover how hard they fight, you’ll understand why they are refered to as the “poor man’s tarpon.”
During the summer months, the Umpqua is home to some of the best smallmouth bass fishing on the planet. Here, 100 fish per day, per angler are attainable, with a chances of catching that trophy five pounder being quite real.
The Umpqua is also a premier steelhead fishery, for both winter and summer runs. This breathtaking river offers one of the best chances along the entire Pacific Coast to latch into a coveted 20-plus pound winter steelhead. The river is made for side-drifting, but lends itself to an array of other proven techniques.
As if that’s not enough, the mouth of the Umpqua River offers some of the best Dungeness crabbing in the state. If traveling to Oregon to crab is not in your game plan, combine it with a fall chinook or sturgeon fishing trip. Both green and white sturgeon make their way into the Umpqua, yielding yet another unique opportunity for anglers.
Not only does Smith offer combination fishing/crabbing trips, but has some of the most attractive cast-and-blast opportunities in the entire country. Imagine chasing Roosevelt elk one day, 40 pound fall Chinook the next. Or calling in a boss tom in the early hours of a fresh spring morning, then going after springers or shad in the afternoon.
Whatever your desires, Jody Smith can taylor a trip to meet your needs. Having lived in the area for so many years, Smith, a full-time, licensed, independent guide, has access to vast tracts of private land. The prime habitat on these lands holds some of the highest game densities in western Oregon. Don’t wait, call today, as these prized outings are booking up fast.
Columbia River
The Columbia River offers a world class Sturgeon fishery. The Columbia offers wild white sturgeon which are plentiful and provides anglers with excellent opportunities for high action with some fish reaching lengths to 10 feet! Sturgeon are considered the largest and hardest fighting fish in the Northwest. They are also regarded as some of the finest table fare. Jody Smith specializes in shallow water sturgeon fishing often angling in 5 feet or less depths with light tackle. Jody is equipped to fish 6 clients and multiple hookups are common.