Four wives dropped the leash

[caltagm]

Three buddies and I are planning on taking a trip for steelhead in January. I fish for trout a couple times a week but have never tried for steelhead. The best of the other three probably won't get the line wrapped too tightly around his own neck but that's about the best that can be hoped for. We'll be going for a long weekend from Reno. We'd rather not spend two full days of that weekend driving just for one day fishing.

So the question: Where do we go and who do we go with? If you'd rather not post recommendation for guides feel free to IM me.

I'm hoping to convince the other three guys to take some casting lessons before then but, at minimum, I'm going to get them out in the park with a couple rods for practice.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Wish me luck.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

We have winter Steelhead in the Lower American River in Jan/Feb.

The fishing seems to be best in the first few miles below the Nimbus Hatchery.

Many coastal rivers might be good but they are more dependant on the rains.

The Russian River would be my second choice because it is further.

Third would be the Trinity River but it is the furthest.

[Tony Buzolich]

Bill, you forgot to mention the Feather. The winter run here can be very good too.

To a lesser degree even the Yuba has a fair number of steelhead.

There are salmon in both rivers now and the guys are taking steelhead behind them using glowbugs and nymph combo's.

Nothing like taking a bright coastal stream fish though if you're up for the drive.

TONY

www.feather-river-fly.com

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Hi Tony,

I know you normally have a big fall Steelhead run in Oct/Nov too.

Anything going on up there now?

[shawn kempkes]

Steelheading in California in January is a crapshoot. The rivers will be either to low or blown out.

since you live in reno I would reccomend you fly somewhere like portland or seattle and rent a car. It will give you alot more options. Within a hours drive of portland there are more rivers than you can count that will have fish in them. Anywhere you go in california is going to take you half a days driving. I would reccomend getting ahold of Jad Donaldson at Kauffmans in tigard (Portland ) or Brian Silvey or Tom Larimer for guides for the rivers near portland.

If you can postpone your trip to Feb there will be allot more options.