The primary character in this drama is the fish itself. Illusive and intelligent, he is in charge of the pursuit. We only understand rudimentary behaviors of these complex creatures. The salmon is destined to die while the steelhead returns to the ocean. Why? You got me. I have read scholarly publications and heard many fish stories (true and otherwise) and I am still baffled. We do know that these fish are canny, surviving long uncharted journeys in the ocean, finally heading up their birth rivers to pursue the spawn. What triggers the timing, why they are imprinted so specifically, how do they avoid all the pitfalls that stand in their way, these are factors which we can not measure or dissect. Observation and familiarity help us to some degree and the rest is a mystery.

The adversary is the guide. His knowledge and skills as an oarsman and tracker put the client on fish. His ability to predict behavior and present the correct inducement to strike as well as his instructions to the fisherman in proper technique secure a fighting fish on the line. Each species of fish must be handled in the proper manner. Hooksets may need to be quick or tempered with patience, drifts may need to be soft or hard, some baits must swing in front of the fish, some may need to be suspended while others need to drag the bottom. The type of fish and the prevailing conditions dictate the technique.

Mother Nature in the form of rain, wind direction, tides, flow, water depth, air and water temperature, and a myriad of other natural phenomenon all factor in to your chances of succeeding.

The final unknown in the equation is the fisherman. What are his skill levels? Is he or she willing to listen to the guide's instructions? The guide understands his river and his fish. He has developed specific techniques over the years that he knows work. Can a top water bass fisherman from Clearlake adapt to Smith River drifting, sure. All it takes is the willingness to listen and learn and the underlying desire to focus all his senses. Smith River salmon and steelhead are big, smart and mean. Drifting presents its own challenges in the fighting and landing of large species, especially since they have home field advantage. The guide works in conjunction with the fisherman to fish the sticks. Dan will determine the fish lane and direct his clients where to cast and at what degree. Their job is to pay attention to their rods and to his instructions. He positions the boat and adjusts his rowing techniques to achieve the correct speed of drift and action of the rod tips. Both he and the client fish the rods together. When he yells, "Set the hook" he knows what he's talking about. The timing of a rocket fish heading upstream and a driftboat charging downstream leaves a nanosecond to achieve a successful hookup. Setting the hook can lead to "Fish On" or Dan telling you "That was a fish!" Dan works runs carefully, determining just what is happening in a certain area and making appropriate adjustments. The "cast and blast" technique is definitely not his style.

All these elements factor into the successful trip. If you have never experienced drifting the Smith River for steelhead and salmon you have missed one of the trips of a lifetime. One of the last wild rivers races through the some of the largest and oldest trees in the world, the Giant Redwoods and its crystal waters hold record salmon and steelhead. The state record steelhead is 27 pounds 4 oz. and two days ago Dan successfully landed a 23 pound hatchery fish. Every year we believe that a 30 pound fish makes its way up this river. We have had them on, but never have boated one. This year conditions indicate that there will be many huge fish in the water and probably a new record in the offing. The excitement mounts as the big fish arrive in larger and larger numbers. My 22 pound steelhead Burt could use some company on our wall. Maybe this will be my year to bring him home a friend, I think he looks lonely. Well, I'm outta here, I think I hear a state record fish calling my name.

Columnist Joan Carter co-owns, with her husband, Dan Carter's Guide Service.