Greg  Nicol  GUIDE SERVICE                   

Fishing Report Archives

April 19, 2008

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 except for the Sacramento River.  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.

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.

April 4, 2007 - Winter Steelhead

The Chetco River steelhead season has come to an end.  The Smith River is coming to an end as well with only just a very few fish now being caught.  There have been a few Spring Salmon caught on the Rogue River and that fishery will only get better in the coming weeks.  In mid August I well be working once again in the Rogue River Canyon.  Those trips are three day trips with each night staying in a different lodge.  Those trips will carry me through the first week of November.  Just in time for the beginning of the Salmon Season on the Smith River and Chetco River.  Give me a call or e-mail to make your reservation early.

March 27, 2007

In Memory of Willie Illingworth
1942-2007

A truly legendary man and friend
Willie Illingworth of Willie Boats

March 13, 2007 - Winter Steelhead

The last couple of days I have been helping out a friend that had a six boat party on the Chetco River.  All six boats were able to able to boat at least three fish and had others on.  The weather has been warm.  By the middle of the day the temperature has been in the mid sixties.  The Smith River has slowed down a lot. The last few days there has been guides coming up from California fishing the Chetco River because of the clear water and lack of fish on the Smith River.  I just wish that they would get an Oregon Guide License before doing so. They say that the people in their boats are just friends, but with different people in their boats each day makes you wonder.  Give me a call or e-mail me and let's get out there and get your Steelhead.  It is a lot better than sitting at home reading about someone's else catching fish.  Not to mention a whole lot more fun.

March 10, 2007 - Winter Steelhead

The last couple of days on the Chetco River have been a lot of fun most boats are getting four the seven Steelhead with one to three of those Steelhead being fresh. The Smith River has not been as good.  Yesterday was the first day of the Cal-Or Derby. Twenty three Steelhead were caught on the Smith with sixty nine Steelhead caught on the Chetco River.  I don't have today's totals.  See Today's Photos

March 4, 2007 - Winter Steelhead

I want to thank everyone who e-mailed and called wishing me a speedy recovery with Pneumonia.  I am now back to work catching steelhead in my million dollar office.  You know the one where the roof leeks and the wall paper keeps changing.  The last few days both the Smith River and the Chetco River have been fishing well with the Chetco River fishing just a little better.  Seems about a third of the fish being caught are fresh right now. 

February 19, 2007 - Winter Steelhead

The lack of recent fish reports is because I came down with Pneumonia, with four days of l04 degree fevers.  The fish are still out there and I can not wait to get back out there and get some of them.  The doctor says I must wait a couple of more days, and then I can.  The weathermen are calling for rain through the week.     

February 8, 2007 - Winter Steelhead

The rains are finally here once again.  For some people I guess should be glad to know that all the sea lions that have been in our rivers eating the steelhead will now longer be land locked.  It was almost to that point.  Most boats averaged two fish per boat with both the Smith and the Chetco Rivers rising.  The rains are to continue for the next seven days. 

January 24, 2007 - Winter Steelhead

The last couple of days I have been working down on the Eel River.  The conditions have been great down there.  Most of the guides working down there are averaging around eight to eleven fish per day.  I had not worked the Eel in a number of years and it brought back a lot of good memories. I was brought up until high school on the Mattole  River, where my parents ran the Mattole River Lodge.  It is a catch and release fishier on the Eel.  Today though I worked on the Chetco River where the fishing has slowed down due to the clarity of the water.  I am going to be working down on the Smith tomorrow.  The pressure on all of the rivers has been light due to the fact that the rivers are so low and clear. There is some weather coming in the forecast so we can only hope it will be enough to change the river conditions.  After tomorrow I will be off for three days celebrating the life and lifetime accomplishments of a truly legendary man and friend Willie Illingworth of Willie Boats.

January 17, 2007 - Winter Steelhead

Today I changed offices and went down to the Smith River.  The roads were very icy, but the sky was clear and sunny.  We ended the day by boating three fish only keeping two.  Many of the boats had their limits of fish.  Most all of the fish came from the upper end and all came out of four holes.  With all the weather we received over the last couple of days did not change the rivers much.  I did talk to some of my friends who worked the Chetco River and it sounded like the bite really feel off.  Give me a call or e-mail me and let's get out there and get your Steelhead.  It is a lot better than sitting at home reading about someone's else catching fish.  Not to mention a whole lot more fun. 

January 16, 2007 - Winter Steelhead

Today's weather was a little of everything.  Started the day cloudy and 26 degrees.  That makes three days in a row in the twenties.  We had snow and so much I could not see my tools in the trays along my seat.  The snow flakes were two and a half to three inches in size.  I had only one fisherman in the boat today.  We ended the day by boating three Steelhead, keeping one of them.  After talking to friends this evening who worked on the Smith River.  They were saying all they had for weather was rain, and that the bite was really good down there too.  Today's weather is gone and the rest of the week is suppose to remain clear and cold.  That only means more cold mornings and a really clear river to work on.  Both the Chetco River and Smith River are low and clear. 

January 15, 2007 - Winter Steelhead

It was another morning at 27 degrees.  The roads and plants look as though someone poured sugar all over them.  We ended the day with three out of four fishing the Chetco River.  The largest fish being 32 inches long. 

January 14, 2007 - Winter Steelhead

Most boats ended the day with three to four fish on the Chetco River.  This morning started out at 27 degrees, and only warmed up to 45 degrees. We had a tough day in our boat by only coming in with one fish.

January 13, 2007 - Winter Steelhead

It was another cold morning on the Chetco River today.  There was black ice all the way up the river to the put in.  With it being the weekend the boat pressure was a little heavy.  By the end of the day we were able to come in with two nice Steelhead. 

January 12, 2007 - Winter Steelhead

Oh my goodness it was cold this morning on the Chetco River 27 degrees.  A new Brookings record for a low.  The weathermen are calling for it to be 15 degrees tonight.  I had a tough day today by only boating one fish. It was only about twenty one inches long and a hatchery fish.  Most boats had two to three fish.  I do know of a couple of boats though that had four Steelhead by days end.  The rivers are getting low and clear.  

January 11, 2007 - Winter Steelhead

I have had the last two days off due to a cancellation.  I will be back on the river tomorrow fishing the Chetco River.  Both the Smith and Chetco Rivers have been producing some really nice Steelhead.  Everyone that I have been talking to has been coming in with limits.  With the snow and cold snap that we have had the last couple of days.  The bite has come on a little later in the morning when the weather warms up. 

January 09, 2007 - Winter Steelhead

It was a beautiful day on the river today.  It was sunny and not a cloud in the sky.  With the weathermen calling for snow showers tomorrow at 1,000ft, and snow Wednesday on the beach with a two inch accumulation.  I was really enjoying my office.  I often tell people that I have a million dollar office. It is just that the roof leeks occasionally, and they keep changing the wall paper.  Knowing that there would be a lot of boat pressure on the river today.  I elected to use my permit for the upper end of the river and come down.  I hold one of twenty three permits for the upper end of the Chetco River.  By doing so we only saw four boats until we got below Loeb Park.  We ended the day with our limits of Steelhead.  Most people in boats ended the day with three to four fish.  The bank fishermen at Social Security Bar had a good bite in the morning. 

January 08, 2007 - Winter Steelhead

Today I fished the Smith River helping out a good friend John Klarr.  John had a mutable boat party.  We hooked four Steelhead, but only boated two of them.  The largest of the two Steelhead that we boated was sixteen pounds.  The Chetco River is back in and it has relieved a lot of the pressure that has been on the Smith River.  From the calls that I have received this evening the Chetco River out fished the Smith River.  Tomorrow I will be one of those boats on the Chetco River.

January 06, 2007 - Winter Steelhead

With the Chetco River still needing one more day to clear we fished the Smith River.  We hooked six Steelhead landing all six.  We ended the day by keeping two.  Seems like the better chances of catching fish are on the upper end of the river above the  Highway 199 bridge.  Some folks call it the Hiouchi Bridge.  Give me a call or e-mail me and let's get out there and get some of those early run Steelheads that are in our rivers. 

January 02, 2007 - Winter Steelhead

Was able to get back on the Chetco River today, and it was everything we were hoping it would be.  There were a lot of fish caught by end of the day. With the rains that started once again this afternoon, the Chetco River will not be fishable for a few days.

December 29, 2006 - Winter Steelhead

The Chetco River this morning still had the color of cement to it, and was a little high yet.  So I elected to fish down on the Smith River.  I had a friend Joe Whaley help me out as there were four people in the party.  Joe had a couple in his boat, and without saying anything you know who caught the most fish in his boat, the wife.  I wish more fellows would bring their wife's.  They ended the day with seven fish.  I had two fellows in my boat and we ended the day with five fish.  The largest fish for the group went hands down to Brenda a seventeen (17) pound Steelhead.  While on the river we did hear of another 26 pound Steelhead that was weighted in at Hiouchi.  That is the second fish of that size in two days. 

December 25, 2006 - Winter Steelhead

Kymmy and I are hoping that each and every one of you is having a wonderful Christmas Day and that the New Year brings you happiness and joy.  The crab fishermen are all saying that they are seeing a lot of Steelhead out in the ocean.  Fish and Game are saying that this Steelhead season should be a good one.  Give me a call or e-mail me and let's get out there and get some of those early run Steelheads that are in our rivers.

December 22, 2006 - Winter Steelhead

A friend and I met our clients at the restaurant this morning, not really sure which river would be best for our clients to fish.  We knew the Smith River would be fishable, but not sure about the Chetco River as it had the color of cement yesterday.  Also we had a fair amount of rain last night up until midnight.  We were going to be fishing two dads with their son's, ages seven (7) and eight (8).  With having less hang-ups on the Chetco River, we felt that would be the river best for them.  After leaving the restaurant we drove up the Chetco River to find it in great shape.  My friend Mark Wakeman, ended the day with his father and son team having 3 Steelhead and one salmon.  I ended the day with 3 Steelhead.  The two young boys out fished their dads, but you knew that was going to happen.  The best part about it is that tomorrow we get to go out and make some more of those life time memories.  The bank fishermen who fished on Social Security Bar today landed fifteen fish.  I heard that the Smith River also fished well.  Give me a call or e-mail me and let's get out there and get that holiday fish for your dinner guests.

December 20, 2006 - Winter Steelhead

From everyone that I talked to this evening sure made me wished I had been on the river fishing today.  Most boats had their limits of fish by noon.  The color of the water on both the Smith and Chetco Rivers are perfect.  We have some rain due to hit us tonight, but not as strong as our last storm.  Give me a call or e-mail me and let's get out there and get that holiday fish for your dinner guests.  

December 15, 2006 - Winter Steelhead

The high winds and heavy rains have stopped.  So this would be a good weekend to get all those Christmas chores taken care of.  If you have that special person who you find it hard to get a gift for, why not give them a fishing trip? 

December 9, 2006 - Fall Salmon

The weathermen are calling for widely scattered showers for the next few days.  That is just what most of the rivers need right now, rain.  The rivers are getting low and clear.  With the boat pressure being light, one can still pick up some nice Steelhead.  That is if you do not get right on top of them.  The fish are holding in little pods, in just a few places up and down the river.  If you know where those places are when the river gets like this, you are going to get your allusive Steelhead.   

December 5, 2006 - Fall Salmon

With another day off, I put up Christmas lights on the house.  My wife is going to be so happy with me.  I did talk to a friend who fishes the Smith River.  He worked from the forks to Ruby.  Hooking 7 Steelhead, and 1 salmon.  Also was able to talk to two of my friends who worked the Chetco River.  One said they landed 4 out of 5 Steelhead.  He worked the upper part of the Chetco River.  My other buddy worked the lower part of the Chetco River.  He boated 6 Steelhead and lost 2.  The boat pressure is really light now.  With the rivers getting clearer each day was probably the reason for their success.  There were also a couple of fish taken from the bank at Social Security Bar around noon time. 

December 3, 2006 - Fall Salmon

I had the day off, but I did talk to a couple of my guide friends about how the fishing was for them on the Chetco River.  One had two Steelhead, one adult salmon, and one jack salmon.  My other friend ended the day with one Steelhead.  Also I was able to talk to two private boatmen.  One told me he had one Steelhead.  The other said not a bite.  The bank fishermen at Social Security Bar said there was a run of Steelhead that came through around 12:00pm.  They were saying that about five to six fish were caught on the lower end of the bar.  Was not able to get a fish report for the other rivers.  I will try and get one by tomorrow.   

December 2, 2006 - Fall Salmon

Today I finished up helping my friend with his fifteen boat party I told you about yesterday.  We ended the day by boating two fish.  One was a beautiful 17 1/2 pound Steelhead.  The Steelhead did not count for the derby that the fellows were having though only salmon were counted.  With the salmon we did catch we came in second place.  The nearest anyone came to the amount of fish we caught was two fish I was told.  You can tell that with fifteen boats, just how lucky we were and how the fishing is right now.  First place was won by a beautiful 49 1/2 pound salmon.  There seems to be fewer salmon in the river now and more Steelhead seem to be showing up.  We are still a little early for the big runs of Steelhead interring the rivers, but it is time to start targeting them.

December 1, 2006 - Fall Salmon

I helped out a friend today that had a fifteen boat party.  Nothing like bring your own crowd.  The good thing about it though was that they were all staying up in the town of Gold Beach on the Rouge River.  We were told that we could fish on any river.  Knowing from yesterday that the Sixes River had close to eighty boats on it.  That was not where I wanted to take my party.  The Elk River I have not heard of too many fish being caught there the last few days.  The Smith and the Chetco River have been fair.  A lot of the guides that are being used are from Gold Beach and north of there.  Assuming that not many of them would want to travel south to fish the Smith River or the Chetco River the pressure on those two rivers would be light.  I also hold a permit for the upper river on both the Smith and Chetco Rivers and know that most of them do not.  Knowing that I would have little pressure around me I elected to fish the Chetco River.  We ended the day by landing three fresh salmon all females.  See photo's, the largest being thirty-six pounds.  The other two were twenty-five and twenty-eight.  The Fish and Wildlife were on the Chetco River again today netting fish for the hatchery.  They ended the day with 7 salmon and 8 Steelhead.

November 30, 2006 - Fall Salmon

I had the day off today, but I did drive up the Chetco River to see how the fishing was.  Most of the boat fisherman put in at Ice Box Bar, and took out at Social Security Bar.  I was able to talk to three of the guides and heard about a forth.  One boat had three fresh salmon.  The second had one 14 pound Steelhead and one salmon.  The third boat had two salmon.  The forth boat had one Steelhead.  Fish and Wildlife were netting fish again today for the hatchery.  I asked how many Steelhead they had been getting and they told me that they only had one today and four yesterday.  I talked to two of my friends who worked the Sixes River today.  One had three and the other had zero fish.  They said that there were a ton of boats on the river.  One of them also told me that a friend of his caught one fish on the Elk River.  I talked to three friends that worked the Smith River today.  One had three salmon, and one had two salmon and the third had one salmon.  I did not hear of any Steelhead being caught today on the Smith River.  

November 29, 2006 - Fall Salmon

Today I was on the Chetco River with a party.  We did not fish all day due to the fact that one of my fishermen came down with the flu.  We did manage to hook into a couple of fish only to loose them before getting off the river.  Other people that I talked to that were fishing from a boat ended the day by boating one fish.  There were four Steelhead landed at the Social Security Bar by bank fishermen.  Fish and Wildlife were netting fish today and they were also picking up a fair amount of Steelhead in their net.  After talking to some of my friends who worked on other rivers, they told me that on the Smith River that it was an average of one fish per boat.  As for the Sixes they were saying that about half the boats had two fish, and the other half having landed one.  

November 28, 2006 - Fall Salmon

We had a little dusting of snow on the top of our local hills last night.  Having the day off today I drove down to the Smith River this morning.  Four of my guide friends were putting in at the Peacock Bar.  Two were taking out down as far down as the mouth of Rowdy Creek.  They ended the day by one boat boating two fish and the other boat lost two fish.  The other two boats pulled off the river at Ruby Park, and left the Smith River and went up to the Chetco River.  One of those boats had gotten one fish on the Smith and picked up another one on the Chetco River.  The other boat that came off the Smith River lost one fish.  I did talk to some of the fishermen fishing off the bank at Social Security Bar.  They told me that they had landed 3 Steelhead and one salmon today.  There were also two Steelhead landed yesterday. 

November 27, 2006 - Fall Salmon

This morning after the rain from yesterday and last night all the rivers were up.  At noon I took a picnic lunch for my wife and me.  We went to the county boat ramp on the Smith River.  There were two vehicles with trailers parked there.  After having our picnic we drove up the river to Ruby Park where we saw no cars parked.  From there one could also see that the river was dropping and the color looked really good.  This morning the Smith River was reading 19.3 at the lower gage.  By noon the river had dropped.  The lower gage was reading 18.8 and still dropping.  I am sure that everyone will be back on the river tomorrow fishing. 

November 25, 2006 - Fall Salmon

When I awoke this morning I looked to see what the river heights were at.  The Smith River was at a perfect height.  The other rivers were still reading a little high.  After getting to our put-in on the Smith River, and starting to get the boat off the trailer, one could see fish on the surface moving up river.  We got our first fish, on our first pass, using a plug.  Before landing our last fish at 11:50am, we managed to loose four other fish using bait and lures.  I felt pretty lucky with what we did today as other boats that we talked to, were not having the same success. 

November 24, 2006 - Fall Salmon

Kymmy and I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.  I was not on the river today, but I did talk to a couple of my friends who were on the Smith River.  One told me that he had his limits by noon.  The other got one and lost two.  They both said that the river was a little high.  They did talk to some of the other boats that were out there, and they were saying that they had one in the boat and lost others.  Tomorrow the Smith River should be in great shape.  As for the other rivers they will be just a little high yet.  Sunday we are to get a pretty good storm hitting us, but the rest of the week the weathermen are calling for partly cloudy skies.  Give me a call or e-mail me and let's get out there and get that holiday fish for your dinner guests.

November 23, 2006 - Fall Salmon

Kymmy and I would like to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving Day.  The weathermen are calling for widely scattered showers today and tomorrow.  All the rivers are dropping.  The Smith River is already two feet lower than it was yesterday.  The forecast for next week is clear skies.  I have days available on my calendar, and with the fresh fish that I have been seeing in the river the last few days the salmon season is far from over.

November 22, 2006 - Fall Salmon

Like yesterday because of the heights of the rivers we elected to fish the Smith River once again.  By the time we got to the river.  It was a foot higher than yesterday, and rising.  One could see a lot of fish rolling and moving up the river.  Not all were biting though, and because of the river on the rise there were a curtain amount of leaves coming down the river.  There were only eight boats on the river.  By the end of the day half had limits of fish.  The other half had their chances, but lost them for one reason or another.  Most all boats had at least one for their Thanksgiving Dinner.

 November 21, 2006 - Fall Salmon

When I awoke this morning the wind was howling, and I could hear thunder.  I looked on the Internet to see the river flows.  The Smith River was at a good flow.  After having breakfast, and it became light enough we decided to go down and take a look at the color of the river.  It had that emerald green color.  The first two hours it was raining, but after that it turned to partly cloudy and sunny.  The boat pressure was very light maybe nine boats at the most.  At the end of the day I believe all the boats had their limits of fish.  Looked as though that a new run of fish had entered the river as all the fish caught were chrome with sea lice.  Most of the fish that were caught were in that upper twenty pound bracket.  Our last fish came by way of a double.  We released one of the fish.  One was caught on a plug, and the other we caught by back bouncing roe.

 November 20, 2006 - Fall Salmon

With the rain we got the Smith and Chetco Rivers went out.  The Elk and Sixes were marginal at best.  I did talk to a couple of friends that did try to fish them.  They said that only a couple of fish were caught.  The Smith River should be fishable tomorrow.

 November 19, 2006 - Fall Salmon

The weathermen were calling for it to start raining heavily around 1:00 pm today, and that is just what it did.  I don't know if it was because all the rivers are in and fishable.  Or if the morning showers had something to do with it, but there was very little pressure on the Chetco River today.  Guides that I talked to seemed to have one to two fish.  I really do not think that the Chetco River will be fishable tomorrow.  Will have to wait until tomorrow morning to see what the river heights of the Elk and Smith Rivers are.  I still have some openings this month as well as some in December.

 November 18, 2006 - Fall Salmon

The Chetco River came in today just in time for the weekend.  This made all the rivers fishable once again.  The boat pressure was still heavy because of being a weekend.  I only heard of one boat with a full limit of four fish.  Most of us had the four hook-ups, but only boated one to two fish.  With another day of not raining the rivers will only drop and get even better.  This coming week the weathermen are calling for showers with twelve hour brakes.

November 17, 2006 - Fall Salmon

The Chetco River was still a little high, so I elected to fish the Smith River.  We ended the day with one out of three.  After talking to other guides tonight, that seemed to be the average for today.

November 16, 2006 - Fall Salmon

I had the day off, but I did talk to a couple of my friends who were out there.  With the rains we received late yesterday and last night the Chetco, and the Elk Rivers went out again.  The Smith River was marginal at best very few fish were caught.  Today was a beautiful sunny day and tomorrow is to be the same.  The rivers are all on the drop once again.  Looks like the next few days should have some really good fishing.

November 15, 2006 - Fall Salmon

With the Smith River dropping in height over night we decided to try it.  It turned out to be a really good day.  There were a lot of fish caught and hooked.  We hooked five fish, but were only able to bring two of those to the net.

November 14, 2006 - Fall Salmon

The Chetco River and the Smith River went out due to the rain we received.  Because of that we elected to try the Elk River.  Fishing was difficult due to the leaves, but by the middle of the day most had washed out.  We ended the day by boating one nice seventeen pound hatchery king.

November 11, 2006 - Fall Salmon

The leaves that have fallen into the river are still giving us problems on keeping our gear clean.  The rain for tomorrow is not to hit until the afternoon.  Both rivers should fish really well.  Late this afternoon my wife and I saw a fish being landed on the Social Security Bar on the Chetco River.  There was also another fish being cleaned that was caught up river by someone fishing from a boat.  The pressure is mostly on the Smith River right now, but with the Chetco River coming in tomorrow the pressure will be split evenly between the two rivers.  There are some really nice fish being caught this season.  Give me a call I would sure like hearing from you.

March 18, 2006 - Winter Steelhead

It was a proud day on the river for a father watching his son hook four fish and boating three fish today on the river.  Two of the fish hooked were fresh, but unfortunately we lost one.  It was a nice sunny day with other boats having the same success.  We were on the Chetco River, but I did talk to other friends who worked on the Smith River. They told me that most of the boats had hooked and landed two to three fish.

March 15, 2006 - Winter Steelhead

Wishing I could have been on the river today, because after finding out how some of my fellow guides did on the river, sounds like they had a great day.  Most had six to seven fish boated and other fish on just not landed.  By days end they also had a couple of fresh fish for their clients to take home.

March 14, 2006 - Winter Steelhead

I was telling you in yesterday’s fish report.  I was going to be off the river until Saturday, and that I would call around to some of my fellow guide friends for a fish report.  After calling around this evening it seemed like both the Smith River and the Chetco River fished the same today.  Both rivers were on the rise because of the showers and hail we have gotten sense last night and today.  I was told half the boats got one to two five.  The weathermen this evening are calling showers, and a high pressure to set in, starting Saturday through next week.

March 13, 2006 - Winter Steelhead

Today the fresh fish that came in the river yesterday, was found from Nook Bar down to just above Tide Rock.  We found and saw others catch the largest concentration of fresh fish to be from Loeb Park down.  We had a hard time getting our fish to the boat today losing five, and two were fresh.  I was happy that the fellows were able to take fish home from the day before.  I don’t have another trip until Saturday, but I will call around to get you a current up date for the fish report.

March 12, 2006 - Winter Steelhead

You can see by today’s fish photos that there are still fresh fish coming into the Chetco River system.  Other friends of mine also caught fresh fish as well today.  The largest I heard caught today was another twenty pound fish.  There have been quite a few of those large fish caught this season.  We let other fresh fish go because they were non fin clipped fish, and both of our fish we kept were of the same.  Some of the other fish we released were fin clipped fish, but were run backs.  The day began and ended as a partly cloudy day. 

March 11, 2006 - Winter Steelhead

The last couple of days the fishing on the Chetco River has been far better than the Smith River.  Yesterday was the first day of the last enhancement derby of the season.  There were only a small number of fish caught on the Smith River around twelve among twenty seven boats, and around fifty fish on the Chetco River among twenty seven boats.  Today the boating of fish was much the same by days end.  You may have heard we have had a little snow falling in our area.  Yesterday, the day began with rain.  Then the rain turned to snow.  The snow flacks at times were the size of silver dollars.  Today the weather was cold but sunny, and you can still see snow along the ocean shore.  The majority of the fish being caught right now are fish that have already gone up the river to spawn, and making their way back to the ocean.  There are still fresh fish coming in, but you can tell the season is coming to a close by their numbers.

March 8, 2006 - Winter Steelhead

Today I helped a friend who had a three boat party where we elected to all fish on the Chetco River.  Two of us boated four fish, and the third boat landed three fish.  I talked to another friend who was working down on the Smith River, and he was telling me that he had boated five fish.  So it seems like there was good action on both river today.

 March 7, 2006 - Winter Steelhead

Because of a cancellation, I have not been on the river the last couple of days.  With the season we have had this year with all the rain.  I really dislike sitting at home, looking out the window with the sun in my face, and not being on the river.  One of the problems we have as guides up here in Northern California and Southern Oregon is there is no weather station here.  All the stations are sixty to one hundred miles away trying to give our weather.  People outside the area are not always able to get the correct weather forecast.  So many of the storms hit just north of us or just south where they don’t affect the rivers as much as they are predicting.  For instance the person who cancelled was looking at a weather program in the San Francisco area and they were saying we were to be getting heavy rains all this week.  In reality we have had showers and partly cloudy days, and today it was sunny all day.  Starting next week a high pressure is setting in, and is going to warm things up.  As guides we all have had to become our own meteorologist.  We all have become pretty good at it.  As for the fish report, I was told the Smith River had most boats came in with one to two fish with others on.  I was not able to find out how the Chetco River did.  I was told the Elk River was slow.  As I was saying in my last report, the last Enhancement Derby will be held this Friday and Saturday.  We still have a few more weeks of good fishing, so if you can get away be sure to give me a call.  The last derby two weeks ago there were over one hundred fish caught and released and I am sure the one this week will be no different.

March 4, 2006 - Winter Steelhead

One could sum up today’s fishing in one word AWESOME.  The weather was partly cloudy, and every hole you stopped to fish in you would see three to four fish come out of it.  Not all the fish that were caught were fresh run fish, but at least a third of the catch was.  It is sure nice to see this new run of fish come in, and the fish coming back down from spawning are in really good shape.  The boat pressure was light with only about twelve boats on the whole river.  The weathermen are calling for showers which should not hurt the river at all only hold the color and the height of the river.  The last Enhancement Derby will be held this Friday and Saturday.

February 23, 2006 - Winter Steelhead

The Chetco and Smith Rivers are still low and clear, but fresh fish are still entering the rivers to begin their migration up the river to spawn.  The weathermen are calling for rain starting on Sunday and continuing through most of next week.  I worked on the Smith River today helping another guide who had a seven boat party.  All guests will be participants in the up coming derby which begins tomorrow and will end on Saturday.  We ended the day boating two fish releasing one.

February 17, 2006 - Winter Steelhead

It did not snow today, but it was cold enough too.  It was another morning where the temperature was in the twenties.  I was helping a friend with a multiple party he had working on the Chetco River.  We got on the river about an hour before the derby boats showed up.  There are sixteen boats on each river for the next two days participating in the PERK derby, and we wanted to get a jump on them.  The fish that we are boating right now seem to be on the small side, but are sure scrappy.  We ended the day with two such fish in our fish box.

February 16, 2006 - Winter Steelhead

When we arrived at the gravel bar this morning just above the forks on the Smith River, the temperature read thirty one degrees.  With the wind blowing down the canyon it felt more like abou