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SMITH/CHETCO RIVERS...
Drift boaters and shore anglers are nailing bright steelhead, fresh from the ocean, on both the Smith and Chetco rivers. Most of the precipitation has fallen as snow in the mountains, so the warmer storms now arriving in southern Oregon and northern California are expected to result in more runoff into the rivers.
“We’re picking up steelhead every day,” said Dave Castellanos of Cast Guide Service, “but the fishing is by no means red hot. I’ve been catching steelhead on both the Chetco and Smith.”
Two anglers fishing with Castellanos on the Chetco Saturday, December 20 hooked a total of 3 steelhead, landing 2 fish in the 8 to 10 pound range. “We side drifted roe from the Ice Box to the Social Security Hole,” he noted.
A fisherman on Castellanos’ latest trip on the Smith hooked two steelhead, landing one 9 pounds. Castellanos fished roe from the Forks to Ruby Park.
“The Smith River and Chetco rivers are rising and more storms are on the way,” reported Randy Whitney of Whitney’s River Guide Service. “That means we will see some good numbers of steelhead in the rivers. Typically we catch some large steelhead in December and start seeing some good-size pods of steelhead return.”
Jim Burn of Sure Bite Guide Service is booking winter steelhead trips on the Chetco, Smith and Eel rivers. His last river drift boat adventure produced 4 steelhead to 15 pounds for 2 anglers.
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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