Oregon, Nor Cal steelhead trip

[2knots]

Just got back from 5 days of fishing for steelies on 3 different rivers, middle Rouge, Klamath and the Smith. With the dry spell the last couple of weeks all rivers were clear and low but we were able to get fish in each of a decent size along with a lot of the “half pounders “. Side drifting soft beads, yarn and a puff ball with a small amount of bait was the tactic used. Had a great time and already getting dates set for next years trip, this year I flew into Sacramento which eliminated the the long haul across Nevada. 

[wiperhunter2]

Looks like a good time Alan, lots of nice trout, great pics.

[stan55]

Very jealous

[obifishkenobi]

Nice bright fish I'm looking forward to hearing about it tomorrow.

[dubob]

You can regale me with the details on Rockport next week.  

[Bduck]

Nice Alan, I often think about planning a trip but never can get it to develop.

[TubeDude]

Lovely.  Brings back some old memories.  I lived in Sacramento for several years and spent a lot of time on the Smith and Klamath in norcal.    Was also able to fish the Rogue, Alsea and Nestucca Rivers.  Good times.

You are lucky to get to hit those rivers during a low runoff period.   The Smith is especially beautiful and productive when low and clear.  Some BIG steelies in there too.  Had more than a few trips wiped out after the normal winter storms had the rivers running high and muddy.  I'm attaching a couple of pics of a steelhead I caught while fishing with legendary (long since deceased) fishing guide Al Kutzkey.  The first pic shows the lovely clear blue Smith River under ideal conditions.  The second is of Al holding one of my newly caught steelies.

[2knots]

You can regale me with the details on Rockport next week.  

Sounds like a plan what day you thinking

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Lovely.  Brings back some old memories.  I lived in Sacramento for several years and spent a lot of time on the Smith and Klamath in norcal.    Was also able to fish the Rogue, Alsea and Nestucca Rivers.  Good times.

You are lucky to get to hit those rivers during a low runoff period.   The Smith is especially beautiful and productive when low and clear.  Some BIG steelies in there too.  Had more than a few trips wiped out after the normal winter storms had the rivers running high and muddy.  I'm attaching a couple of pics of a steelhead I caught while fishing with legendary (long since deceased) fishing guide Al Kutzkey.  The first pic shows the lovely clear blue Smith River under ideal conditions.  The second is of Al holding one of my newly caught steelies.

Pat the issue the past few years is the seals raising cane with the fish in low clear water, they are going all the way up to the forks on the smith and pushing the fish up or way out to the sides. Love that river most scenic of all the rivers I’ve been on for steelies.

[obifishkenobi]

You can regale me with the details on Rockport next week.  

I may want in, what day are you thinking?

[MWScott72]

Lovely chrome!! That is a trip I'd love to do someday.

[dubob]

You can regale me with the details on Rockport next week.  

Sounds like a plan what day you thinking

You can regale me with the details on Rockport next week.  

I may want in, what day are you thinking?

As of today, I'm planning to be up there on Monday & Wednesday.  I'll be at the launch about 7:30, give or take.  Weather on both days looks to be stunning with arrival time being about 18*F and getting up into the high 30's/low 40's by Noon.  Edges are no problem, and the ice is over a foot thick.  Perch have been finicky of late, and I haven't tried for trout but Wyoguy pulled a nice Brown Trout out last Friday along with over a dozen perch.

I should also note that there is very little snow on the ice making travel by machine dicey on the eastern two thirds of the reservoir; western one third is much better. I would recommend you have cleats at the ready just in case.

[2knots]

You can regale me with the details on Rockport next week.  

Sounds like a plan what day you thinking

You can regale me with the details on Rockport next week.  

I may want in, what day are you thinking?

As of today, I'm planning to be up there on Monday & Wednesday.  I'll be at the launch about 7:30, give or take.  Weather on both days looks to be stunning with arrival time being about 18*F and getting up into the high 30's/low 40's by Noon.  Edges are no problem, and the ice is over a foot thick.  Perch have been finicky of late, and I haven't tried for trout but Wyoguy pulled a nice Brown Trout out last Friday along with over a dozen perch.

I should also note that there is very little snow on the ice making travel by machine dicey on the eastern two thirds of the reservoir; western one third is much better.  I would recommend you have cleats at the ready just in case.

Bob, I’m going to put Wednesday down to meet up with you, I’ll give you a call on Monday afternoon or Tuesday