Once the rains arrive, fishing opens above the mouth of Rowdy Creek. The peak of the winter steelhead season has arrived on the Chetco and Smith Rivers, and although fishing is only fair at best, some of the fish being caught are in the mid-teens or bigger. Big salmon are caught on plugs and roe back-bounced through the deeper pools holding fish. Smith River Steelhead fishing will produce steelhead averaging in size from 8-15 lbs., with an occasional 20 pounder. A Day of Fly Fishing for Winter Steelhead. I don't remember much about the river and we fished from the shore. When you arrive in camp at the end of each day, spacious two-person tents are A Day of Fly Fishing for Winter Steelhead Each day you will meet your guide at a designated place at 6:30 a.m. You then follow your guide to one of five local rivers. The Smith Steelhead are among the largest in the state and the river holds the record at 27lbs 4oz as proof. The Chetco River is located just a few miles further north near Brookings Oregon and also produces large fish. Call Captain Andy Martin   •   541.813.1082 / 206.388.8988. Here at Western Waters Guide Service we provide guided fly fishing trips for winter steelhead from January through March, on the Smith River, Mad River, Van Duzen River, Eel River, and Mattole River of the North California Coast. Gary Lewis/Contributed Photo Brian Smith of … Just about this whole seven mile stretch is … Known as California's last wild river, the Smith River is one of the West Coast's top salmon and steelhead streams. Outdoor Adventures Sport Fishing specializes in guided Each day you will meet your guide at a designated place at 6:30 a.m. You then follow your guide to one of five local rivers. Fly fishing is a lifetime sport with much to learn and enjoy. Salmon fishing continues well into December, when steelhead fishing begins to take center stage. Oregon’s Rogue River Float Trip Its designation as a Wild and Scenic River’ by an act of Congress is only a small reason to plan a Rogue River fly fishing trip. The Rogue River is one of the few rivers in the world that has salmon and steelhead fishing twelve months a year! When the river is dropping, side-drifting is the main technique on the Smith. We Are The Smith River Fly Fishing Experts, Call Us For Updates & Reports The Smith River In Northern California is located 12 miles northeast of Crescent City in Del Norte County. wildriversfishing@yahoo.com. The Chetco is one of Oregon’s premier salmon and steelhead rivers, and our most popular fishery. I am using a 300-grain shooting head to get my fly down to the bottom. Indicators and flies that immatate egg patterns are necessary to entice the large winter steelhead. The Smith already has produced a handful of 20-plus-pound steelhead, and the Chetco has yielded several fish in the upper teens. We steelhead fish in the Balls Ferry Area of the Sacramento River. To make a reservation, please give us a call at (530)-321-7452, or email us at wwgsflyfishing@gmail.com anytime. Chasing steelhead with a fly rod is considered by many to be the top game in fishing. The steelhead fishing on the Smith and Chetco rivers is the most popular fishing destinations in northern California and southern Oregon. The Smith River holds the California state record steelhead, which is 28.5 pounds. From January to March, steelhead fishing in the Smith River, Chetco River, and Eel River can be excellent. You never know if the next strike will be a 20-pounder, 40-pounder, or one of those giant 50-plus-pound kings that are landed each year. James Keeling Guide Service offers guided Salmon and Steelhead Fishing Charters in Southern Oregon and Northern California on the Klamath, Smith and Chetco rivers. He has spent his entire life fishing the Smith and Chetco for salmon, steelhead and sea-run cutthroat trout. Conditions : SMITH RIVER: The river is running low and clear, so anlgers should focus on deeper sections. Catches in high water can at times add up to double digits. The reason so many people are drawn to these rivers is the chance to hook into a fish of a lifetime. Fly Fishing Smith River California The Smith River drains the Pacific Coast Ranges just west of the Siskiyou Mountains just south of the Oregon border in extreme Northern California. Smith River (North Fork) There are 13 miles of the North Fork Smith River in Oregon. Chetco, Smith, Rogue, Umpqua, Elk, Sixes, Coos and Coquille Rivers at their Best! It holds the California state record for steelhead, a 27-pounder, and produces many of the biggest salmon outside of Alaska, with fish in the 50- to 60-pound range caught each season. Winter steelhead are less likely to move for a fly than their fall counterpart, so getting your flies down to the fish is essential for success. It produces more kings over 50 pounds. Growing up in Brookings, Oregon, Andy Martin fishes his hometown waters during the fall salmon and winter steelhead seasons. Casting instruction is always available and comunicating your goals for the trip are helpful to your guide. Designated as wild and scenic in 1988, the two wild sections extend from the headwaters to Horse Creek and from Baldface Creek to the Oregon/California state line. We can answer your questions and give you detailed information on your upcoming steelhead trip. Winter Steelhead Season - Announcement The winter steelhead season on the west coast is about to get started and Ironhead Guide Service has prime dates available. Fishing from a heated, roomy, comfortable drift boat, Andy fishes the area from the Forks clear down to Highway 101, depending on where the fish are holding. Andy will anchor in the travel lanes during high water and run baits to intercept moving fish. From here a trail leads down to the river where Sophie Hole (20) and Whitehorse Riffle, just upstream from Sophie Hole, are accessible. Other years February is peak season. The best time to fish for Steelhead at the Smith is during the winter season from December to April. The Elk and Sixes both have late fall runs, peaking in December. Fly fishing the Smith River, one will primarily catch brown trout, although there are also populations of rainbows, cutthroat, and brook trout as well. Smith Creek (near North River) (Pacific Co.): Closed beginning March 1, 2021. Western Water Guide Service Brian Smith of Birmingham, Alabama, selects another fly after losing one to a steelhead on the Wallowa River. The peak season November fishery is the best drift boat action for kings in California. The Smith is not an easy river to fly fish. Most fly fishing is done from the boat with single handed rods. If you are just starting to fly fish or you are a hard core fly fishing fanatic, Western Waters Guide Service will provide you with an unforgettable fishing experience. It’s not only California's No. Making Reservations for California Coast Steelhead. In recent years, December has been good and January has been the top month. You could have the opportunity to fish multiple rivers over the course of several days. Side-drifting for hard-fighting, acrobatic steelhead is one of the most anticipated events for many Northern California anglers. By October, salmon are stacking up in the Sand Hole, perhaps the most productive hole in the entire lower river. The Klamath River fishing season is very popular for customers who want multiple fish days of hard fighting Klamath River salmon and steelhead. Mario Gomez from Ironhead Guide Service will put you front and center on some of the best fishing in the Pacific Northwest. The Smith holds the California state record for a 27-lb. Known as California's last wild river, the Smith River is one of the West Coast's top salmon and steelhead streams. These big, chrome steelhead are awesome fighters and give any angler a thrill. We specialize in helping fly anglers become proficient in all techniques used to catch winter steelhead- both spey & single handed fly rods. Hi fyshstykr, The Smith as I remember it was a beautiful Steelhead river. By drift boat you will float one of many beats of river the California Coast has to offer. And if you are a beginner, we guarantee to shorten your learning curve! The Smith's steelhead fishing is a challenge, but many anglers accept it when the steelhead run strong from January through March. The Smith river is one of California’s go to hot spots for trophy class king salmon and steelhead. Both rivers fluctuate in volume with the coming of Winter & Spring Rains. A short distance south of the Smith, the Klamath River is well known for its beautiful canyons and runs of Chinook salmon, silver salmon, steelhead, and a … The Coquille and Coos Bays have most prolific early fall salmon fishing on Oregon Coast! Box 1646Brookings, OR 97415 Everything is up to date and double-checked to provide you with a safe and rewarding experience that the entire family can enjoy. Our anglers will fly fish the famed rivers of California’s Lost Coast which include the exclusive five rivers of the North Coast. Spend four days floating the 43 miles of protected waters while fly fishing for half-pounder and adult steelhead fresh out of the ocean. For sheer numbers of king salmon, the Elk River is hard to beat. Come spend a day fly fishing with us, where we pursue the most beautiful, hardest fighting Steelhead on the planet in surroundings that rival the beauty of the fish. Andy is just one of a handful of guides with a special permit from the private ranch landowner that has boat launching access a the Sand Hole. By drift boat you will float one of many beats of river the California Coast has to offer. We have seen more fish then we’ve had in years. Winter steelhead fishing on the majestic Smith River is one of Pro Guide Mario Gomez's favorite places to be, there is something about catching steelhead in the Redwoods that makes it special. Fly fishing the Smith River, one will primarily catch brown trout, although there are also populations of rainbows, cutthroat, and brook trout as well. The Smith River record king is a whopping 86 pounds. Skookumchuck River (Lewis/Thurston Co.), from mouth to 100′ below outlet of TransAlta WDFW steelhead rearing pond located at the base of Skookumchuck Dam: Closed beginning April 1, 2021. Steelhead fishing techniques are side-drifting roe, and fly fishing, the famous Battle Creek stretch. Salmon fishing closed at the end of November, which is when steelhead fishing opened. Fly fishing for California Coast winter steelhead is the most challenging method used to catch steelhead, so realistic expectations should be one or two steelhead per day. The Smith River is known for its large run of giant king salmon, as well as numerous steelhead of over 20 pounds. Many S mith River Steelhead fishing AND the Chetco River Steelhead fishing really takes off in the month of February, producing monster steelhead. Andy Martin spent 10 years guiding in Alaska but now guides and runs charter boats year round in Brookings, Oregon. At times pulling small plugs is also effective for steelhead on the Smith. There aren’t many more enjoyable ways to spend a nice Northern California or Southern Oregon summer day than fighting fall salmon and summer steelhead on light tackle on the Klamath river! The Smith is a natural freestone river where wild Rainbow and Brown trout thrive, eating everything from tiny mayflies to monster stone flies. The Weekly Fly 434,907 views 10:10 Smith River Steelhead fishing - Duration: 3:30 . Steelhead are sometimes referred to as the fish of a thousand casts, however a great man (Henry David Thoreau) eloquently wrote: “Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after”. In the fall Winter steelhead hold close to the bottom and won’t move far to chase a fly… The Smith is also known for its breathtaking scenery, with towering redwood trees, deep clear pools and steep rock walls. He surely must have visited the beautiful Lost Coast of Northern California! Big fish are caught throughout the season. The steelhead fishing on the Smith and Chetco rivers is the most popular fishing destinations in northern California and southern Oregon. The daylight bite at the Sand Hole is one of the most exciting times of the season, as powerful kings grab baits being trolled in shallow water and immediately take off on long runs after being hooked. The Smith River is known for its big steelhead. It has produced the last two state records, and some steelhead that could have been new records have been caught and released in recent years. Salmon fishing begins in September in the lower Smith, where anglers target big kings near the mouth, next to the famous Ship Ashore. Two to three days of guided fishing are recommended to provide a good opportunity at ideal river conditions and productive fishing. Mokelumne River Fly Fishing Guides We Float the Mokelumne River For Steelhead In Our Professional Driftboat $495 per day for Two Anglers, Includes All Gear, Flies & A Great Streamside Lunch. Book your fishing trip today. I use to drive up from Fresno back in the 50's. Western Water Guide Service offers guided steelhead fishing trips in Oregon and California. If you plan on fishing for coastal Steelhead bring a good attitude and stay focused all day. It holds the California state record for steelhead, a 27-pounder, and produces many of the biggest salmon outside of Alaska, with fish in the 50- to 60-pound range caught each season. P.O. Owner: Mark Papazian. All five coastal rivers react differently to weather conditions, the river you fish will depend on weather and water conditions the day of your trip. Capt. Steelhead Fishing World-class guided fishing for steelhead trout is available throughout Northern California. steelhead caught back in 1976 and produces many of the biggest salmon in California second only to the Sacramento River. While the trout fishing is some of the finest to be found, it’s the atmosphere and rugged beauty of the Smith River corridor that keeps people coming back year after year. Legendary for its combination of dramatic rapids and tranquil pools, fishing on the Rogue River The average Smith River steelhead comes in around 10 - 12lbs with fish in the teens being common place. Our experienced captain has over 30 years of fishing experience. Steelhead fishing on the Smith continues into April. Fly Fishing on the Lower Mokelumne River can be very rewarding after football season gets over, keep it in mind as a close spot to fly fish near the Bay Area. Fly fishing has an immense literature devoted not only to tackle and technique but to individuals, specific waters, and particular fish. During high water and heavy rain, when most other nearby rivers are unfishable, the Smith often maintains a green color and offers anglers a chance to catch steelhead. SMITH RIVER STEELHEAD FISHING: Has been off to a good start this season. 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