Smith River Fishing Report

Report updated Jan. 27, 2012

SMITH PLUNKERS GOING CRAZY!!

The rain hit here pretty hard this week and while the fishing was great on Tuesday, by Weds the river went to 16 feet again (12 is about as high as you want it for side drifting). On Thursday, it got even higher — 18 feet — and was blown out. On Friday, it was down to 14 feet and looking like Saturday and Sunday could be the start of something really good — especially when you consider there’s only light rain in the immediate forecast.

This week, the plunkers down low have been absolutely putting the smack down on the fish and guide John Klar said that fish have been pouring into the river in numbers he hasn’t seen in years. He and Mike Stratman will be ready to roll this weekend and are looking forward to some amazing fishing over the next week or so.

Guide John Klar holds a beautiful "high teener" sized steelhead for George Lovelace on Tues.

Trusted Guides

JOHN’S GUIDE SERVICE
Extremely dedicated, thoroughly professional and an all-around great guy, John Klar is truly one of California’s premier guides. We’d fish with him any day of the week…and twice on Sunday!

REDWOOD COAST FISHING
Mike Stratman is an excellent guide who specializes in drift boat trips in the quiet, remote corners of Northern California. He’s super friendly and a real pleasure to spend the day with.

NEW SMITH RIVER FISHING REGULATIONS:

• No wild (adipose fin intact) steelhead or trout may be retained
• Anglers may only use barbless hooks
• The limit is increased to two hatchery trout or steelhead per day, 4 in possession
• Salmon anglers will be required to have a North Coast Salmon Report Card on the Smith
• The annual limit for wild Chinook salmon is set at 5

Current & Forecasted Flow

North Coast River Low Flow Closure Hotline: (707) 822-3164

DFG Fishing Regulations

Current Weather

Weather Forecast | Weather Maps | Weather Radar

Smith River map

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About the Smith River

The gorgeous Smith River pours through some seriously steep and rocky canyons and old growth redwoods before crashing head-long into the Pacific. It’s one of those places that is worth a visit (even sans rod) at least once in your life. Put it on the “bucket list.” What’s that you say? Scenery isn’t enough for ya? You want big fish too? Well, the Smith just happens to be the home of the current California State Record for steelies — 27 pounds and change. Steelies over 20 pounds are taken here every year and there’s been a handful of 26 pounders sprinkled in over the past 6 years.

Bring your A Game — the Smith is a wickedly snaggy and tough place to fish — the water can be super clear and guide boats in the lower river below the Forks are, shall we say…prolific…so you need to be a well-tuned steelheading machine to do well here. But put your time in – the rewards can be epic. The Smith fishes best for steelies January through March.

There are huge kings here too. Fifty-plus pounders are taken every season in October, November and December. It’s a short window and you have to be ready to hit the water at a moment’s notice after the first rain hits…

Fishing the Smith
Side-Gliding for Steelies