Need some good advice on Nor Cal

[pescador do mosca]

Anybody fish the Smith? Heading up there in late July and would like some feedback on a good guide service, fishing, etc.

Thanks!

[bigtj]

Trout fishing that time of year on the Smith not steelhead, there isn't a fishable summer run in any of the coastal rivers in CA anymore. I don't think anybody guides for trout on the Smith. The only thing that might be happening in July is the lower Klamath but that is more of an August-September thing. Late July might be OK. You can call Mike at Eureka Fly Shop 707-444-2000 to talk about the lower Klamath but I think it's a tad early. That is one sweet river for half-pounders and adults though.

[pescador do mosca]

Thanks man!

[Les Johnson]

The Smith River is primarily a fall season river. It receives chinook salmon, sea-run cutthroat and in the winter months, steelhead. The Klamath River gets a run of half-pounder steelhead in the late summer and fall. The Trinity also gets a run of steelhead in the late summer and fall..
Good Fishing,
Les Johnson

[pescador do mosca]

Thanks again guys, I apprecaite it!

[fredaevans]

Another thought just crossed my mind: the lower Rogue River. About an additional 45-60 minute drive from the Smith (30'ish miles up 101 from Brookings). At that point (July) there ARE a significant number of summer runs moving through as well as a hellacious 1/2 pounder run. Ton of good (free) access along the south bank road.

Fred

[pescador do mosca]

Thanks Fred, a definite possibility. Do you know a good guide and shop in the area?

Thanks!

[fredaevans]

Sorry I don't; so much 'public access' I've actually never used one.
Fred

[bigtj]

Fred that is an awesome idea. I would start with Jonny on the spot guide service (jon hazlett):

http://www.jonnyonthespot.org/

August and September are "peak season" for the lower Rogue chinook fishery. The fishery on the lower Rogue is similar to the Lower Klamath. Biggest difference is that I think Jon has the chinook fishery figured out, big boys on 2-handers, where most of the guys fishing chinooks on the K are using gear. Give him a shout and talk it over and tell him I sent you.

-John Rupp

[pescador do mosca]

Got back from Honeymoon in Northern California this weekend and wanted to say thanks to everyone for the advice. Ended up fishing the Klamath twice, once with a guide. The guide was Mike from Eureka fly shop and it was a great experience with a great guy. I would recommend him if anyone asked.

Thanks BigTJ for mentioning him and to Fred for info on the Rogue

Here are some pictures:

This was my first fish of the day, a wild Klamath hen:
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n162/pescadordomosca/Honeymoon%202007/DSCN0551.jpg

My wife and I with some chrome:
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n162/pescadordomosca/Honeymoon%202007/DSCN0566.jpg

A wild half-pounder:
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n162/pescadordomosca/Honeymoon%202007/DSCN0575.jpg

There were beautiful beaches:
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n162/pescadordomosca/Honeymoon%202007/DSCN0249-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n162/pescadordomosca/Honeymoon%202007/DSCN0499.jpg

More Klamath chrome:
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n162/pescadordomosca/Honeymoon%202007/DSCN0585.jpg

Battery Point lighthouse where we stayed in Crescent City:
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n162/pescadordomosca/Honeymoon%202007/DSCN0226.jpg


Two hands on the Klamath:
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n162/pescadordomosca/Honeymoon%202007/DSCN0262.jpg

In awe...
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n162/pescadordomosca/Honeymoon%202007/DSCN0245.jpg

It was great time and a special place...
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n162/pescadordomosca/Honeymoon%202007/DSCN0194.jpg

Didn't get a chance to fish the Rogue, but we took a Jet Boat tour with Jerry's and it was a blast! I would recommend it to anyone going through Gold Beach, OR.



Can't wait to come back!

Thanks guys for the info!

[Kevin Giusti]

L

[Kevin Giusti]

Lets see here 1. honeymoon in Northern California 2.steelhead fishing on the lower Klamath 3. Catching some sea Bright chrome steelies. Man you got it GOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDD!!!! Congratulations on your recent marriage. Those are some great pics and some great fish but it seems your best catch of all is your new bride!!!!!! Going steelhead fishing with you on your honeymoon, Yeah buddy !!!Shes definatly a keeper!@!@!!! Glad you enjoyed your visit and your honeymoon. Maybe for your six month anniversary you can return and chase some BIG boys down on the Smith! Take care. Kevin

[fredaevans]

Last two photo's of you fishing/walking up to a run; where were they taken?
Fred

[Will Atlas]

Awesome.

[bigtj]

Glad you had such a great time. I had the pleasure of working for Mike for 3 years...a lot of good memories up there. Looks like you made plenty of good memories of your own.

Cheers,

-John

[pescador do mosca]

Fred,
Check your PM
Jeff

[Flyborg]

Mike certainly knows his stuff. By the way, your wife is hot!

[pescador do mosca]

Yeah, she is an awesome woman. Last night we cuddled on the couch and watched Lani Waller's video's:thumb:

[fredaevans]

Yeah, she is an awesome woman. Last night we cuddled on the couch and watched Lani Waller's video's:thumb:

Now that's 'a good wife!!!' And thanks for the PM.
Fred

[1morecast]

Great pics....Man I have to get back to the coast.....

[buford]

Sweet report and pics.-congrats!
Were you on foot or jet-boating up river? How were the crowds?
Thanks for any info.
buford

[pescador do mosca]

We took a jet boat and the most amount of people we saw when we got upriver were in the tour boats. It was a Sunday afternoon/evening trip so...

:)

[fredaevans]

We took a jet boat and the most amount of people we saw when we got upriver were in the tour boats. It was a Sunday afternoon/evening trip so...

:)

Been ages since I've been on one of the jet boats, but often wondered if they have a deal where they'd transport you/camping gear to some place up river and pick you up the next day. I think it's on the lower John Day, but a RR company is now doing that on the river. Drop you off, and pick you up later in the day.

Gather they're making $$$ off of this; and good for them!

[shawn k]

fred
we have these guys run us up river with our pontoon boats .http://www.kampklamath.com/jet_boat.html

[fredaevans]

COOL!:beer2:

[buford]

That jet boat shuttle sounds like a great idea. How far up river do you go? Starwein? Blue Creek?
Do you camp, or just day trip it?
Thanks for any information-I need to look into that.
buford