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SMITH RIVER SALMON/STEELHEAD
(Smith River) Steelhead fishing is rated as “fair” on the Smith River, with hard working guides and anglers reporting catches of big, bright steelhead on California’s most pristine river.
“We’re catching a couple of fish here and there,” said Jim Burns of Sure Bite Guide Service. “Friday’s drift boat trip on the Smith yielded one steelhead for four hook-ups. The fish we landed was a beautiful 12 lb. hen. We side drifted roe from the Forks to Ruby Park.”
On the previous day, his clients landed two steelhead weighing 8 and 13 pounds while side drifting chartreuse puff balls and roe on the Chetco River. They fished from the Ice Box to the Social Security Hole.
“The forecasted storms went south of us,” reported Phil Desautels of Smiling Salmon Guide Service. “The Smith has only come up 3 feet and has remained fishable. Fishing has been fair; we are catching a fish or two on every trip. The numbers of fish are not high in anybody’s boat, but everybody seems to be getting there chances.”
The Smith is green and dropping at 11.6 ft at Jed Park and 17.5 at the Highway 101Bridge.
Steelhead fishing on the Chetco has been “hit and miss” depending on whether you are fishing from a boat or on the bank and the weather, according to the Oregon Department of Wildlife (ODW).
“Until flows start to moderate and stay consistently below 4000 cfs, bank angling will out produce drift boats,” ODW stated. “Anglers should always check the flows before heading out. Bank anglers can start catching fish around 8000 cfs and dropping, but boat anglers will want to wait until flows hit 4000 cfs and dropping.”
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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.
Mark Mansu caught this 61 lb Chinook on the Smith River on November 1st. His dad, John Mansu, had received a gift certificate from his wife Cheryl, for fishing with Harvey Young and Fishawk River Co. almost two years ago and finally decided to come up and cash it in. We had lots of hook -ups and a few fish to the boat on the Chetco the day before and had moved down to the Smith looking for a little more action. We found the action and Mark, John, and friend, Dave, all pitched in to lift this beautiful Chinook for a smiling portrait! Harvey Young,
Fishawk River Co. |
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