Planning a November Steelhead trip

[Jeff Morrison]

My F-I-L has tasked me with planning a Steelhead trip for November. I'm looking for suggestions since I'm in Oklahoma. We'd be looking at two, maybe three, days with guide/boat. Wading is always an option if it helps with suggestions.

Thanks in advance

[slim]

Hey Jeff
Lots of good options at that time of the year. A little more information might be helpful.
Were you planning on heading East or West, flying or driving, and what type of budget would help me and probably others offer suggestions to better fit your situation.
slim

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Does it have to be November?

I like Sept/Oct on the Klamath and Trinity for swinging smaller (#6-8-10) traditional flies on a floating line myself. At this time the water is above 55-60 degrees and the fish are more active.

As you get later in the fall the water gets colder (40-50 degrees)and you need to go to the indicator system or a sink-tip line for Steelhead.

[Darrin.Deel]

slim is the dude to go with

[bigtj]

Slim raised some good points. In general, first two weeks November is a good month for the Trinity and Klamath. Mid to late November can be great but can also get dicey with the weather, if it's been wet it can be a total bust. You are looking at smaller fish on these rivers, commonly 4 to 9 pound fish, and late fall/summer runs. Some early coastal hatchery winter runs start showing up in November if it's been wet but the winter run really doesn't start showing up until December.

Personally if I was coming all that way, and was going to try to do some classic steelheading I would fish the mid lower Trinity in October with Jason Hartwick or the guys at the Trinity Fly Shop.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

"Personally if I was coming all that way, and was going to try to do some classic steelheading I would fish the mid lower Trinity in October with Jason Hartwick or the guys at the Trinity Fly Shop."

That is some great "insider" info........


Jason Hartwick and the the guides out of Herb & Pat Burton's 'Trinity Fly Shop' all swing flies, mostly on floating lines, for Steelhead. They actually skate Muddlers a lot too. This is really classy fly fishing.

http://steelheadonthespey.blogspot.com/

http://www.steelheadonthespey.com/Site/Welcome.html

http://www.trinityflyshop.com/

If you want to get some days booked with these guides in October, especially around the weekends, I would be doing it soon.

[reel world]

Depending upon your arrival time, I would check out the Grande Ronde. Some of our sports finest guides/casters, and teachers call it their fall "home".

[Rick J]

I would second the Grand Ronde - if you have ever wanted to get outstanding instruction in two-handed fishing with a skagit system - these three guys (Scott, Mike and Ed) are the best there are!! And Steffanie O'Donnell is a world class chef!!!!

http://www.speywater.com/

http://www.speywater.com/Grande_Ronde/Sample_Menus.html

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Rick,

That is a wonderful trip............I would like to go again someday.

[reel world]

Hiya,

Rick is correct as usual. The guys at the Grande Ronde are pretty good and cool to hang out with. They have a web site that is rather fun{I really like their "about us") and informative. I hope that it is OK with the mod's to publish their site. www.speywater.com