Current Fish Report                  Fish Photo's

April 19, 2008 - A Current Update

For the most part Steelhead season here on the coast has ended.  The Smith River will still be open until the end of the month, but there are very few Steelhead if any in the river.  You have probably heard about the salmon closures?  The closures will only affect the "OCEAN FISHERY" in California and Oregon.  They do not effect the "In-River" fishery at all.  We should see a lot more salmon in our rivers, and because of that a lot more hook-ups this coming fall.  We have always found that to be true with past ocean closers.  With the Jack count being up this last past Salmon season, we should see more three and four year olds as well.  I am really looking forward to this coming fall season.  With the increase of fish in the rivers, it is going to be busy.  So call or e-mail me early so I can get you and your fishing buddies on the calendar. 

The three-day Rogue River Canyon trips will start up the middle of August, and run through the first week of November.  There are a few openings still on the calendar this season on the Rogue.  For those of you who might still be thinking about taking the Rogue Canyon trip.  You can learn more about these three-day trips by going to "River Info" on our web site.

I want to thank those of you who fished with me this past season, and I look forward to having you in my boat again.  We would like to thank those of you who sent a donation to the Rowdy Creek Fish Hatchery.  It is never too late to make a donation for a good cause.  If you know of any grants that are available, the hatchery would appreciate the information.  Please make your tax-deductible check payable to Rowdy Creek Fish Hatchery, PO Box 328, Smith River, California 95567, and phone (707) 487-3443.  The Pacific Power Company is no longer donating power to the hatchery.  The Rowdy Creek Fish Hatchery is now having an annual increase of expenses of thirty thousand dollars.  It would be a good way to spend that Economic Stimulus check.

March 28, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

What a great day on the river we had.  Here it is pretty close to the end of the season on the Chetco River, and we boated four fish.  Today I was helping out one of my guide friends who was working in the derby that is going on this weekend, and unable to fish one of his clients.  One of the fellows I was fishing had never fished for Steelhead before, and wouldn't you know he was the one that caught our first Steelhead.  It was a fresh run Steelhead about eight pounds.  Our other three Steelhead that we boated were fish that had spawned.  It was raining when we started our trip by putting in at the South Fork put-in.  Then we had snow...that is right snow.  By the end of the day it was sunny and partly cloudy.  I have a trip on the Smith River on the fourth of April.  You do not want to forget the Smith River is open until the end of April.  If you want that Steelhead fix  I have openings in April.

Click Here to See The Most Recent Fish Photo

March 22, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

We are not seeing many fresh fish right now, but there are a fair amount of fish in the river that have spawned.  We hooked four fish today that gave my guests a fun day of fishing.  The weather forecast has been calling for showers which we have been receiving. The river has been holding its' color and height.  There is one last remaining derby set for this weekend.  I have talked in pasted Fish Reports about the Rowdy Creek Fish Hatchery. If you have a little extra money and would like to make a donation for a good cause.  If you know of any grants that are available would be greatly appreciated.  Please make your tax-deductible check payable to Rowdy Creek Fish Hatchery, PO Box 328, Smith River, California 95567,  707-487-3443.  With Pacific Power, no longer donating the power to the hatchery the Rowdy Creek Fish Hatchery is now having an annual increase of expenses of thirty thousand dollars.  Any help that you can send their way would be appreciated.

March 14, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

With the rain we have been getting the last two days has really helped the river and the fishing.  There are new Steelhead coming in the river now with most boats ending the day with at least two.  We ended the day by boating five fish and keeping two fresh fish.  The river now has a little color in it and the rain is only showers and tomorrow and the next few days should be good.

March 13, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

It was the last day for my single fisherman today.  We had a tough day getting the fish to the boat. We ended the day by losing four Steelhead.

March 12, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

I had a single fisherman today and we fished the Chetco River keeping one fresh Steelhead releasing one fish that had already spawned.

March 11, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

On the second day of my clients trip we boated two fish out of four Steelhead hooked.

March 10, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

Today I fished the Chetco River.  We boated three fish and lost two other Steelhead.  It did not start to rain until the end of the day and we can sure use a little color in the river.

February 18, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

Fishing, I guess I should say the catching has been tough the last few days.  Friday we floated the Chetco River boating two Steelhead keeping one.  Saturday we boated two Steelhead losing one other, and yesterday we did not touch a fish.  I am off the river until Wednesday.  We are to receive a little rain through the week starting Tuesday.  The Willie Derby had fourteen teams, which means twenty-eight boats, two anglers per boat.  They fished the Smith and Chetco Rivers.  Each team boat would change rivers on the second day.  There is another derby this coming weekend as well.  The amount of fish caught was low due to the run size and the river conditions now.  There were only three fish caught on the Smith River and only nineteen caught on the Chetco River a total of twenty-two Steelhead over the two-day derby.  The first and second place teams each caught the same amount of fish, five (5).  The difference between the two teams was eight (8) inches.  With the fish, we caught over that period I felt good.  I still would have liked to have more fish though.  I am going to repeat part of my last report only because I think it is worth mentioning again.  If you have a little extra money and would like to make a donation for a good cause, Please make your tax-deductible check payable to Rowdy Creek Fish Hatchery, PO Box 328, Smith River, California 95567,  707-487-3443.  With Pacific Power, no longer donating the power to the hatchery the Rowdy Creek Fish Hatchery is now having an annual increase of expenses of thirty thousand dollars.  Any help that you can send their way would be appreciated.

February 14, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

Happy Valentines Day to all.  We fished the Chetco River today hooking five Steelhead boating four of them and we kept two.  The two fish that we released were fresh fish it was that all the fish boated were non-fin clipped fish.  For the next two days, there is an Enhancement Derby for Rowdy Creek Fish Hatchery, and other fishery projects.  Another one will be going on next weekend as well.  If you have a little extra money and would like to make a donation for a good cause, Please make your tax-deductible check payable to Rowdy Creek Fish Hatchery, PO Box 328, Smith River, California 95567.  With Pacific Power, no longer donating the power to the hatchery the Rowdy Creek Hatchery is now having an annual increase of expenses of thirty thousand dollars.  Any help that you can send their way would really be appreciated.

February 10, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

With the Smith River still not producing a lot of fish right now.  I again chose to fish the Chetco River.  Most boats are ending the day with one to three fish.  We boated three fish keeping one at fourteen pounds and releasing the other two.  All were fin clipped fish.  The two that were released were fish that had gone up river and spawned.  The Oregon State Troopers were on the river today.  The fellows were checking for fishing license, boat safety equipment, and illegal guiding.  Every time the other local rivers start getting tough to fish we start to get unlicensed guides on the river.  It is always a welcome sight to see law enforcement on the river.  I wish that the Forestry Service would do the same as there are a few boats in the permitted area of the Chetco River guiding without permits.  It is really aggravating to spend the big bucks to be a legal guide and follow the rules and to have someone running the same water not doing the same.  I can only hope that all that employ the services of a guide ask to see their licenses and permits for the area that they are fishing.  After all being with a non-licenses and inexperienced person could cost you your life.  I have some open days in the month of February.  So give me a call or e-mail me, and let us get you and your fishing friend on the calendar.

February 9, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

With today being Saturday, it was busy on the river.  There were three to four guides with large parties on the water today.  Also all the local people who did not have to work today, were on the river.  The folks in my boat happen to land three Steelhead out of four chances.  We only kept two and both were fresh fin clipped fish, one male, and one female.  The fish that we released had already spawned and was a fin clipped fish.  One of my close friends Albert Kutzkey who is also a guide caught a beautiful 20-pound Steelhead today and one other fish about eight pounds.  There has been quite a few twenty-pound fish caught this year between the Chetco and Smith Rivers.  About a week ago on the Smith River a 22 pound Steelhead was caught. 

February 8, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

The fishing slowed down today.  Most boats only boated one to two fish on the Chetco River.  Although I did here of one guide boating  eleven fish.  I had the day off and went fishing myself which I don't get to do too often.  It was a real treat.  I landed two Steelhead, which my bride and I will barbeque real soon.  It was sunny most of the day, and the rain is to hold off until maybe Sunday and a warming trend next week. 

February 6, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

Today was a lot better fishing for us than yesterday.  Or should I say a better catching day.  It was the second day fishing with my single fisherman.  I always say it is like going duck hunting with a rifle instead of a shot gun when you only have one fisherman in the boat.  We boated seven fish and lost one other.  The rain held off except for a couple of showers in the morning and a couple in the late afternoon when we were getting off the river.  The river is in great shape and a fair amount of fish are being caught. 

February 5, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

Today we had a hard time getting the fish to the boat.  We lost four fish before finally landing one right in front of the take out.  I only had one fisherman in my boat.  With all the fish that were caught today.  I am sure we would have had a lot more hook-ups if only I had another fisherman in the boat.  There were a lot of fish caught today.  I had yesterday off and took a two hour and fifty minute hike up the Chetco River above the Low Water put in.  Of course there is no trail to speak of and it was another two hour and fifty minute hike back out.  I thought you might like to see some of the pictures that I took along my walk which was about an eight mile walk all together.

February 4, 2008  -  Hike up the Chetco River Gorge

January 31, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

The weather we have been getting is a lot like last year's February.  By that I mean snow on the beach and rain showers.  The fishing has picked up. Some of the fish being caught have been weighed in the low to mid teen range.  The snow level is to rise the next couple of days which will in turn raise the rivers.  With the amount of snow that will be melting both rivers will be out for a couple of days.  Maybe Monday the Smith River will be fishable again,  Hopefully by Sunday.  I have some open days in the month of February. 

January 26, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

We have been receiving a little rain all day today, but not much to change the height of the rivers.  To night and the rest of the week we are to receive a lot more rain as well as snow in the lower elevations.  I noticed today that some of the fish have moved up a hole or two from where they have been the last couple of days.  We were unable to capitalize on our chances today, and lost two Steelhead before we were able to get them boated.  I am off for the next few days until conditions start to change.  I have some open days in the month of February.  So give me a call or e-mail me, and lets get you and your fishing buddy on the calendar.

January 25, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

We are still in need of rain.  After spending the day in light snow flurries and 27 degrees yesterday.  Today I awoke to clear skies.  It was still in the twenties, with ice everywhere.  Every night the weatherman are calling for rain for the next day, but we sure have not seen it.  Today we did manage to boat two fish and lost one other.  About fifty percent of the guides that I talked to by days-end had one to two fish.  I do know of one that boated three steelhead.  The Smith River has a lack of fish right now.  I was talking to a fellow guide who had nine boats out yesterday and not one fish was caught.  Anyone who has a plane and can salt one of these clouds that occasionally comes over-head, please do so for your fellow fisherman.

January 23, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

You folks are all right; I have been a little lax in doing my fish reports.  I apologize for not taking the time to sit down and write a report.  I have been posting the pictures for the angler in my boat each night, but not the report.  By the pictures, one can see when there is a woman in the boat it is always ladies day.  Sorry Vic I was not able to get you a fish.  As for my last trip, Torch was able to get a limit of fish on his 85th Birthday.  I had to go out of town today, but I did call around and seems like most boats boated two out of four Steelhead.  Both the Smith and the Chetco Rivers are getting low and clear with the Chetco having a little more color.  The fish are holding up in pods only in just a few holes.  Knowing where those spots are and spending time fishing in each one of them are giving all of us as guides’ success with the conditions the rivers are in right now.  We are to start getting rain tomorrow and it is to continue off and on as the way of showers through the week.  That will improve fishing on both rivers a great deal.  The seals have been working heavily in the estuary, which means we will have a go push of fish just as soon as the river rises again.  Give me a call or e-mail me.  Let us get you and your party on the calendar.

January 16, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

Have you ever ridden in hot air balloon or gone to see them?  Each one has its own color scheme and the sky is full of all the colors of the rainbow.  That is what the Chetco River looked like today.  There was a lot of pressure on the river today.  Most of the boats enjoyed coming in at the end of a beautiful sunny day with full limits.  Fish were being caught from one end on the river to the other.  I have not heard of many large fish being caught right now.  Most of the fish seem to be in that 8 to 12 pound range.  I am still seeing a fair amount of guides crossing the boarder because of the Smith River's clarity.  We are to stay dry until the weekend and then the weathermen are calling for showers.  Which by that time, both rivers will be in need of the rain.

January 14, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

I fished the Chetco River today which is still a little high.  Most boats ended the day with limits of fish.  I talked to one fisherman who was fishing at the North Fork.  He told me he lost one Steelhead and landed one other.  At the takeout I talked to another fisherman fishing from the bank and he said he knew of only two fish caught there.  The river has great color.  We are to get a few showers tonight lasting through mid day tomorrow.  I don't think it is going to effect the rivers much.  Then a drying out period is to set in.  Give me a call or e-mail me.  Let's get you and your party on the calendar.

January 12, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

I had a two boat party out today where we fished the Smith River.  The river is still a little high because of the melting snow.  The lower gage this morning read 19.6 feet.  To most folks that number does not mean anything, so to put it in prospective most would prefer the gage to read 17.0 feet or lower.  A fellow guide I had working for me with this party was Mark Wakeman.  Mark and I both ended the day with the lost of one fish each.  There were other boats that were luckier, and were able to boat all their hook-ups.  For the next four days I will be helping another fellow guide.  With the showers tapering off this coming week we should see the rivers dropping and an increase of fish boated.  I was really hoping to boat my first fish on my NEW BOAT'S maiden voyage today.

January 2, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

I have the next few days off.  Give me a call and lets get out there and catch your first 2008 Steelhead.  I did go to the Chetco River to see how the day went for others.  The river is in prime shape right now.  Most boats boated six to seven Steelhead keeping their limits of fish. The fisherman who were fishing from the bank did real well also.  The Smith River has cleared up and has become tougher to catch the fish that are there.  I saw a few of the guides that are diehards, and don't like fishing anything but the Smith River on the Chetco River.  Most of the guides that jump across the state lines are licensed for both states.  Although some are not.  As favor to all of us please ask to see your guides license for the state you are fishing. Do you really want to have to come back to go to court? 

January 1, 2008 - Winter Steelhead

HAPPY NEW YEAR With today being a holiday the pressure on the river was high.  To get away from a lot of it I use my permit and launched at the South Fork.  I had the same single fisherman from yesterday. Coming down through the canyon there was a golden eagle that flew right down in front of us, and went up into a tree along the riverside.  What a beautiful bird to see up so close.  About two more miles down the river we saw a bald eagle.  Where we lost our first fish.  We did end the day with another Steelhead that was a non-fin clipped fish. Although we did loose two more for a total of three.  After talking to a few of my friends this evening most boats had their limits of fish.  With the river dropping the fisherman that were still using the method of plunking did not do so well.  Although the people that were fishing from the bank that switched over to the method of casting and drifting their baits did quit well.  Give me a call or e-mail me.  Let's get you and your party on the calendar.  The steelhead season is starting, and you all know how fast the best dates on the calendar fills up.  Drop an e-mail off to my bride Kymmy, and giver her your comments on how well you like the new web-site.  Kymmy worked really hard the last couple of days building this new web-site.  I think she did a great job.  Kymmy still wants to make a few more changes so keep looking in to see them.

December 31, 2007 - Winter Steelhead

Today I worked on the Chetco River.   The river height was just a little high but the river having a few more fish in it right now than the Smith River I was glad we choose to fish the Chetco River.  I only had one fisherman in the boat which I often say is like going duck hunting with a rifle instead of a shoot gun.  We did end the day with one Steelhead not a complete limit of fish, but a wonderful day on the river.  Most of the other boats ended the day with one fish person.  I did talk to a couple of fisherman fishing the North Fork that were saying that seven fish were caught there.  The bank fisherman at Loeb Park had two Steelhead when I went by.

December 30, 2007 -  Winter Steelhead

I had a large party today of thirteen people.  The Chetco River was a little high so we drove down and fished the Smith River.  There was a total of about fifteen boats working the river.  I know of only four fish caught, and I was lucky enough to have ended the day with two of them.  Both of the fish we caught were hatchery fish.  Fellows it sure pays to bring your wife because you can see the results.            

December 28, 2007 -  Winter Steelhead

I was part of a two boat party today helping another guide with a family of four on the Chetco River.  I started on the upper end of the river at the South Fork Put-in.  We took out at the Market Hole.  The other guide put in at the Ice Box Put-in and took out at the Market Hole. The river was on the rise all day, but we did end the day with two hatchery steelhead.  I heard of one other fish caught by a boat fisherman, but not part of our party.  Two fish were caught by the bank fisherman at the Market Hole, and I did hear of three at the North Fork of the Chetco River.

December 10, 2007 -  Winter Steelhead

The pressure on both the Smith River and the Chetco River has been light.  Which is typical for this time of the season.  With the storm we received last week brought in a few more early run steelhead on both rivers.  There are still a few salmon being  caught, but most anglers have changed over to the method of side drifting which induces more of a steelhead bite. Most of the boat anglers that I had talked to today had two to three steelhead by days end.  I did hear of two salmon being caught one that was released and one kept.  The salmon that was kept was a bright twenty-five pounder.  I only had one angler in my boat today. We kept two hatchery steelhead. 

November 29, 2007 -  Fall Salmon

I fished the Chetco River today.  I have been reporting to you that there are still a few fresh salmon in the river as well as a few winter steelhead entering the river.  I worked on a school of fresh salmon this morning where I was successful the other day.  The fish were rolling all around our lines, but just would not bite.  After leaving that hole we began side drifting for steelhead.  With our first pass on this particular riffle we boated a fifteen pound hatchery steelhead.  Went back up to the top of the riffle for another drift.  On our second pass through the riffle we hooked and landed a twenty pound hatchery steelhead.  It was awesome, the fish took us down river were I was unable to get back to that spot again.  I double ran the river today, but by days end we just had the two fish.  I hope you will take the time to look at the pictures. 

November 27, 2007 -  Fall Salmon

I did not have a trip today, and I am also off tomorrow.  The weathermen are calling for showers tomorrow night, and into Thursday, but it is not expected to amount to much.  The rivers are getting low and clear once again.  We could sure use a little more rain than the weathermen are calling for.  I did hear of a few more steelhead caught on the Chetco River from the bank today. 

November 26, 2007 -  Fall Salmon

I went back to the Chetco River and launched at Loeb Park.  With the river becoming clearer and low the fish are holding in just a few of the holes.  We did manage to keep one fresh King Salmon by days end.  I did talk to a friend who was fishing from the bank on the way down the river.  He held up a beautiful Steelhead that he had caught today. It was about an eight pounder.                                     

November 25, 2007 -  Fall Salmon

With the Smith River becoming to clear, and the Elk River too low we went back to the Chetco River.  Having not been on the Chetco River for a couple of days I boated from the South Fork to the Market Hole.  The two thirds of the float only showed spawning fish.  By the end of the day we did catch on fresh King Salmon. 

November 24, 2007 -  Fall Salmon

I had the day off today, but I did hear of a couple of Steelhead being caught on the Chetco River.  There were also some fresh King Salmon caught. 

November 23, 2007 -  Fall Salmon

Today was a short day due to the fact that the fellows wanted to get an early start for home.  We went on the Chetco River which was a little higher than I like.  It was at six feet at the gage, and I prefer that it be under five feet.  It was a zero fish day.

November 22, 2007 -  Fall Salmon

Happy Thanksgiving to all.  Today we went back to the Elk River.  Ended up being a repeat of yesterday. 

November 21, 2007 -  Fall Salmon

The fellows wanted to fish the Elk River today so that is where we went.  Had a double, but like most doubles we were only able to land one of them.

November 20, 2007 -  Fall Salmon

We elected to fish the Smith River today boating two out of three. 

November 19, 2007 -  Fall Salmon

I have been out of town for a couple of days.  I guess it was a good time to be off the river, because it is high and muddy.  Tuesday through the rest of the holiday week the weathermen are calling for the weather to be clear and sunny.  The Smith River is reading at twenty feet on the lower gage and I don't expect it to drop down to sixteen or fifteen feet until Thursday or Friday.  I am sure after this raise and the rivers drop we will be seeing a few of those winter steelhead being caught.  Give me a call or e-mail me.  Let's get you and your party on the calendar. 

November 14, 2007 -  Fall Salmon

It was another beautiful sunny day on the river today.  Both the Chetco and Smith Rivers were fishable which took a lot of the pressure off of the Smith River.  We elected to go back on the Smith River today.  The river level dropped about four feet with the visibility about five feet.  By days end our largest fish was a beautiful 38lb salmon.  The rain is to start up again tonight.  The weathermen are calling for showers Thursday with rain on  Friday and Saturday.  Then becoming partly cloudy Sunday and through the middle of next week.  Give me a call or e-mail me.  Let's get you and your party on the calendar. 

November 13, 2007 -  Fall Salmon

With all the rain that we received last night.   It was just what we needed.  After having to fish low and gin clear  rivers.   We now have color and fishing has really picked up.  Most of the pressure was put on the Smith River today.  The Chetco River was marginal at best this morning.  This morning the rains had stopped.  The sky cleared, and it was a beautiful sunny day.  We had to contend with a few leaves, but it was not bad.  Our largest fish by days end was 35lb.  The weathermen are calling for another sunny day tomorrow with another front coming in on Friday. 

November 12, 2007 -  Fall Salmon

I want to wish all fellow Viet Nam Veterans a Happy Veteran's Day, and all other service personnel past and present.  Let us all never forget those who are missing, and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we have today.

November 11, 2007 -  Fall Salmon

The last two days I have been fishing the Chetco River. Like most of the boats only averaging one to two fish.  The rivers are low and clear.  With all the rain we are expected to be getting the next few days, fishing should really pick up.   

October 31, 2007 -  Fall Salmon

Gearing up now for the fall run salmon.  There were a few early fish that entered the systems with the little rain we received.  Those fish have all moved up, and the rivers are low once again.  We need more rain, and from the weathermen's  report it is not coming this week.  Most fish that I have seen are dark in color, and should be left to spawn up river. Once the jet-stream drops and our winter rain pattern beings.  We will begin to get some nice fish in the rivers.  With the amount of two year olds (jacks), in the rivers right now looks like the run should be strong.  The biologist use the jack count as one of their tools to predict how strong the run might be.  

We just finished up our last Rogue River Canyon trip today.  The fishing was slow at times, but seemed to catch enough to barbeque, and add to some of our lunches.  The three day Rogue River Canyon trips are a trip that everyone should experience.  The lodges, wildlife, and scenery are just wonderful.  Large parties are welcomed, but because of the popularity of these trips one needs to book early.

September 8, 2007 -  Rogue River Canyon

The river had come up from our last trip, and also had a little more color to it.  The fish seem to be running a little late this season. With the river at 1,880cfs we are not really getting into the fish until we get below Blossom Bar.  With each trip one can see that the fish are moving up river though.  We ran into the schools of steelhead sooner than on our last trip.  As for the animals that we saw were numerous Black Tail Deer, and Canadian Geese.  One female Black Bear with two cubs, several Bald Eagles and Great Blue Herons, and also a few Otters.

September 3, 2007 -  Rogue River Canyon

It was great to be going down the Rogue River Canyon once again.  The river was a little high making the first day tough to get the fish to bite.  During the first nights lodging we had some light showers hitting the roof of our cabins.  When we awoke it had stopped and did not start again until about 10:00am, but stopped for the day around 1:00pm.  With the light rains the day before made the fishing for the next two days a lot better.  It is always gives our lunch a little something extra, when we can  having a few steelhead to barbeque.  The flow of the river was running 1,840cfs.

Link to Fishing Report Archives

Home  |  Fish Report  |  Fish Photos  | Booking Info  |  River Info  |  Contact  |  Email