The Smith

[stevie steelhead]

Since the Trinity is high and colored, I am planning a trip to the Smith River in the next few days.
I have been reading on the gear/bait blogs that the fishing for steelhead has been good.
I have fished the Smith River a number of times with flies, but I have been skunked!
I have fished with bouncing globugs/bait casting years ago successfully, but I just can't get these Smith River steelhead to bite my fly.
A friend of mine who fishes the Smith regularly dips his globugs in "stink", and catches fish nymphing, but I refuse to do that.
Does anybody out there in Kieneville have some advice or secrets to share about techniques for the Smith River?

[Craig Nielsen]

Stevie:
Conditions are looking pretty good! I've been hoping to get up to the Smith to check it out as well.
I have had some luck above the forks nymphing with the standard flies and rigs I've used locally on the Feather, Trinity, Klamath, Umpqua and Rogue. I have not yet gone to scenting my flies. A little heavier rod is nice as Smith River fish on average are larger than those in these parts and can be pretty hot.
On the main stem I very occasionally will get a grab on a swung fly. My routine is to swing first thing in the morning before the aluminum hatch and then head upstream for some nymphing. Finding fish has always been key, if I locate them I'll usually get some action. Landing them in the tight quarters where I often find them can be another story as well ;>).
Do enjoy your trip and let us know how you do.

[dpentoney]

Back in the '60s and '70s a frequent topic of discussion among NorthCoast fly fishermen was why no one could take steelhead on flies in the Smith River. The pram guys fishing salmon took a few steelhead in tidewater, but a lot of very talented guys who did very well on the other rivers spent a lot of time trying to catch steelhead on flies in the Smith with very little success.

I remember one day when I was just a kid in '65 or '66 on a run that used to exist downstream from the Dr. Fine (Hwy 101) bridge. There were at least 50, maybe 75 bait and lure guys fishing the run and virtually everyone left with the 3 fish limit. (There were a LOT more fish in the river then) There were major amounts of fish moving. My Dad and Gary Tucker, both accomplished fly fisherman fished the flat above where everyone else was fishing in what appeared to be perfect fly water loaded with steelhead, but neither touched a fish all morning. I believe they were the only guys there that morning that did not take fish.