History was made…almost…last week on the Smith River, where young Alex Green hooked and landed a monster 26.8-pound steelhead off the bank.
The fish was under a pound off the current state record of 27 pounds, 4 ounces — a steelie caught way back in 1976 also on the Smith River.
Green hooked the fish while fishing with his dad at Ruby Park on plunking gear — roe and a Spin-N-Glo.
The fish was a big wild buck and, as you can tell in the photo, he was super chrome. A dandy to be sure — even if it fell shy of the state record.
There have been a couple other fish in the 24- to 25-pound range taken from the Smith so far this season and guide Mike Coopman got a 26 pounder a couple seasons back.
The Smith, located in extreme northwestern California, has always been known as a big fish producer and it wouldn’t surprise many people if the river pumps out a new record in the not-so-distant future.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I thought we were not allowed to keep wild steelies on the Smith as of this year?
Practice catch and release on all wild steelhead. This big beautiful buck would of left some great genes in the system. If we all would practice catch and release of these big fish we probably will see more larger fish returning.
I agree totally and believe that retention of wild steelhead anywhere on the planet is a crime. Fortunately, the Smith is now governed by a no wild fish can be killed regulation…the fish in the photo was taken in 2007.