Where To Look?

[Idadon]

I'm starting my search for a Park/Campground Host position for this Fall & Winter. I'd kind of like to get back to my roots and find an area on the Northern California Coast. One very important factor is that the park must be close to a Steelhead River. Otherwise I may as well go to Arizona, right.

I grew up fishing everything from the Russian up to the Smith but my all time favorite was the Gualala. Problem is I haven't been back to that area since the mid 80's. Does the Gualala still have a fishable run of Steelhead? How about the Navarro or VanDuzen or any of those small waters up in that area?

I know there's a lot of factors involved that can make or break a Steelhead season but assuming pretty good weather and water is there enough fish around this area to invest a winter in. Or should I just try for Southern/Central Oregon or go spend the winter in Redding?

All opinions will be greatly appreciated, particularly if they come from someone that fished any of these waters this past winter. Thanks All & hope to hear from you!

[TaylerW]

Look around prairie redwoods state park. That's where id go. Or the deschutes/eastern oregon for summer/fall

[Idadon]

Prairie Creek would be great. In-between the Klamath and the Mad and an easy drive to the Eel. I fear that Prairie Creek's rv sites are to small for my RV. I've sent them an email but no response back. Thanks!

[Reese]

If you go up to Oregon, I'd try for the Siletz River, Moonshine Park. Spoke with the host there a couple years ago and he said he'd walk the 100yds to the river each morning, catch 2-3 steelhead and make it back to his trailer before the percolator finished. He must have had it figured out, I only caught one the whole weekend I was there.

[Idadon]

Moonshine was advertising for a winter host a couple of years ago. We ended up taking a park farther south. Should of went to Moonshine I think. Probably much better water now! If I recall it's a pretty good drive back for groceries and cell service wasn't so hot.

[Reese]

Yeah the area is a little short on services but, less cell reception=more fishing time :)

[Idadon]

Can't fault your logic on this one!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

The Lower Rogue River and Lower Klamath River have fish coming in in July?

AM and PM fishing......

[Idadon]

Just spotted an ad for the lumberjack museum in Forks, WA. They want volunteers to work 3 days a week for a full-hookup RV space. That's 4 days to fish!! Some good rivers up that way. Lots of rain too. How's the fishing up there now?

[yubaman]

I was up there a few weeks ago. You have the Ho, Sol Duc and Bogashiel all in town, also one more who's name is escaping me. Fantastic swing and nymphing water. Bring you Gortex, Forks gets 200+" of rain per year. We were there for 8" of it. There is year round Steelhead fishing. The summer run is mostly hatchery. Not unusual to get Steelhead in the 20 lb. range. Good luck.

[Idadon]

Ya, it's that rain that worries me. In my house it's not a big deal but in a 32' RV, well it's a different beast. I think I might try for the position if the wifes agreeable. Can't be that much worse then northern California, right? Did you catch any fish up there?

[JayDubP]

Have no idea of present status, but this a great location on the Klamath for July (salmon) Aug (halfpounders) Sept- Oct (steelies). It is about 7 miles downriver from Orleans and 5 miles upriver from Weitchpec. From there to confluence with Trinity is an easy float with lots of good holes and little fishing pressure.

The old Bluff Creek Company Store (Bluff Creek Resort). it was neglected for years, bought by the Yurok tribe in 2015 and has been (is being?) renovated. There are several RV sites with full hookup. It is short walk from one of the best steelhead/salmon holes on the river and longer walk to Aitkens Flat and several other good holes. They do not have a website, but are on Facebook, so the RV rates could be low? I'd get some pictures and if they are still doing construction.

Fish Lake and couple of smaller lakes are within 5 miles.

[Idadon]

Bluff Creek Resort?? I found it on FB but when I looked up Bluff Creek on Google Earth I found nothing. I can see the creek where it joins the Klamath but nothing of a resort. Nice area though!

[JayDubP]

Bluff Creek Resort?? I found it on FB but when I looked up Bluff Creek on Google Earth I found nothing. I can see the creek where it joins the Klamath but nothing of a resort. Nice area though!

it is couple miles downriver from Bluff Creek, about mile south of Aitkens Flats/Creek Campground...on the river side on Hwy 96 across from where Bluff Creek Road and Old State Highway intersect with Highway 96. Never was much of a resort, was only a few cabins and RV spaces plus a little store... Bluff Creek Country Store had some connection to some famous pictures of Bigfoot near there many years ago.

Maybe some one who has been there in past year can tell you the status.

I would be concerned as to what the Yuroks are doing-- is it for seasonal RVs or are there permanent trailers for tribal members? There is Klamath Riverside RV Park in Orleans, but it sells out a year or more in advance. Lots of guides stay there.

[Idadon]

I found what I think might be Bluff Creek Resort on Google Earth. Looks like a really nice place but when I showed it to the wife she felt it might to remote for her. To far to good shopping, was her comment. Oh well! If we're not hooked up by late fall, and regulations haven't closed fishing down, might head there for a week or two if they are open.