Northern Coast

Northern California Coast
Sponsor Reports
Mario Arguilles Guide Service ...Klamath R
Brice Dusi Guide Svc...Smith/Chetco/Eel
Green Water Guide Svc...Smith/Eel/Trinity/Klamath R
Ken Cunningham's Guide Svc...Klamath/Smith/Chetko
Kutzkey's Guide Svc...Klamath R
Greg Nicol Guide Svc...Smith/Chetco/Rogue
Phil's Smiling Salmon Guide Svc...Klamath/Smith R
SC Guide Svc...N. Cal Rivers/Lakes

KLAMATH RIVER SPRING CHINOOKS/SALMON FLY HATCH SOON
by Dan Bacher
(Klamath) Flows on the Klamath River from Iron Gate Dam all of the way down to Klamath were high and unfishable at press time. When the river becomes fishable, expect to see good fly fishing for rainbow troutt on the upper river and the beginning of the spring run chinook run on the lower river.
The releases below Iron Gate Dan now are 4,000 cfs because of the spring run off, said Albert Kutzkey of Albert Kutzkeys Guide Service. We need them to get down to 2,000 cfs before the river becomes fishable for trout.
Kutzkey expects the salmon fly hatchery to start in mid-May and run through mid-June, depending on the weather.
Fishing can be phenomenal when the hatch is in full swing; at times it can be hard to kepp a fly dry, he stated. However, if the river is too high, it makes the fishing tough like it was last year.
Lower Klamath flows were 42,300 cfs at Klamath at press time. These flows will bring up the spring run chinook salmon. Fishermen target these fish while fishing spinners from boats in the lower river from Blue Creek to the mouth.
Sponsors
Armstrong's Norcal River Fishing Eel/Klamath/Mad/Mattole/Smith/Van Duzen R.... Report
Mario Arguilles Guide Service Klamath River... Report
Brice Dusi Guide Service Smith/Chetco/Eel R...Report
Green Water Guide Svc Smith/Eel/Trinity/Klamath R... Report
Kutzkey's Guide Service Smith River...Report
Greg Nicol Guide Service Smith/Cheto/Rogue Rivers...Report

Area Fishing Maps
Bodega Bay
Smith River

Great Places to Fish
The North Coast region provides one of California's best ocean fisheries. The warm summer Pacific currents rich in nutrients and the rugged coastline nurture a thriving rock fish community of around 20 different species available to the sportfisherman, the favorite being ling cod. Occasionally shark, and albacore are available. Shelter Cove is known for its Pacific Halibut whose average weight surpasses the average Alaskan weight. There is abundant salmon most of the summer and smelt are on the beaches from June to September. You can also dive for abalone and trap Dungeness crab. The Smith River provides runs of Chinook from October through December and California's finest steelhead fishing December through March. The Smith also provides anglers the opportunity to do battle with sea run cutthroat throughout most of the summer. Read about Hiouchi. The Mouth of the Klamath sees one of the largest fall runs on the coast from late August through early October. Other notable rivers in the area are the Trinity, Mad, and Vanduzen. If you're looking for trout, try Ruth Lake on Highway 36 east of Fortuna or the Lagoons north of Trinidad.