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!!