BANG, BANG, BANG. Smith River Steelhead action you don't want to miss out on!!

Smith River - Smith River, CA (Del Norte County)

BANG, BANG, BANG. Smith River Steelhead action you don't want to miss out on!!
Jerry Frye proudly displaying his first Smith River steelhead he caught while plunking on the Smith River this week
Photo Credit: Michael Rasmussen

by Mike Rasmussen
2-26-2017
Website

     Continueing to not disapoint California's Smith River has provided NON STOP steelhead action since December 2016. If you won't melt in the rain and you like to fish in amazing coatal scenery and you have not yet made it to California's North Coast, by all mean, Get Here! Great local lodgeing and dining through the Hiouchi Motel (hiouchimotel.com) and Hiouchi Cafe couldn't make it any easier or less afordable then is now possible. There are a handful of experienced guides to chose from that are currently work here on the Smith River. Dave Jacobs at sacramentofishing.com and Mike Rasmussen at salmonsacriver.com are a couple reputable guides staying on site for the remainder of the season (ending in mid to late March) weather depending. 

     The Smith River has seen solid action this week as "Plunking" started kicking out 2 fish a rod or better average for a couple days as the river was dropping to a drift boat friendly river hight (13 stage feet on the Jed Smith gauge). The boat and bank action has continued to produce fish daily with a mixed bag of double digit chrome steelhead to the smaller first year returning half pounders and steelhead in the 2 to 3 pound range. Still even the smaller fire cracker like explosive fights from these little guys is thrilling and eventfull. With most time of the battle spent with the little steelhead out of the water. Drifting curred roe with a orange or pink puffball remains the go to bait for the guides in the drift boats, while the bankies that frequent the holes above the forks prefer to drift yarnies or sweep spoons. All application of baits have been working for those willing to just get out in the rain and on the river. The Smith River is located in a Coastal Rainforest and it is the rainy season. Leaving behind rain gear and extra clothing is a common occurance amoung new comers because it is likely to not be raining where you are located at home, but here it is possible for it to rain everyday at some point and for unkown amounts of time. Forgeting your gear can lead to a cold, wet, and misserable day spent fishing. And no one wants that. Get up here now and experience the Smith River while it's still steelhead season and the bite remains hot!!


Mike has called Northern California home his whole life. Fishing the streams of the eastern sierras for trout and the Russian river for steelhead as a young boy, his passion for fishing and the outdoors consumed his childhood as knowledge was gained. Attending high school in Corning, Ca, Mike also spent a great deal of time on the banks of the Sacramento river, chasing Salmon, Steelhead, American Shad and Striped Bass. Mike was fortunate enough to have been taught by some experienced guides that have since passed. Now a guide himself over the last decade, he prides himself on providing a comfortable, fun and enjoyable experience for all those he guides. You will not find another guide in Northern California as devoted as Mike and that spends the amount of time on the water as he does. It definitely shows at the end of the day when the fish are counted.


< Previous Report Next Report >




< Previous Report Next Report >


More Reports


2-17-2017
Northern California's Smith River continues to be the mainstay for Northern California steelhead fishing guides as most all other North...... Read More

Green Water
Smith River

2-5-2017
The Smith River fished well today, February 5, 2017.  Steelhead fishing guide Mike Rasmussen with SalmonSacRiver.com reports steelhead anglers for...... Read More