First Steelhead Trip Recommendations

[Troutsource]

My brother and I would like to take our first north coast steelhead trip this fall or winter (2-3 day trip) and are looking for some recommendations. It could either be for big winter run fish or fall half-pounders. We've been fly-fishing for 30+ years but are still new to steelies (mostly limited to the American). Rivers like the Trinity, Klamath, Smith and Chetco come to mind (maybe even the Rogue in OR). We have 6-wt switch rods and 10' 7wt normal fast action rods.

Should I assume most of the guided trips are already booked? If so, is wade fishing a good option anywhere? If we do book a guide, what is the typical policy in case of blown out rivers? In the interests of saving money, are there some decent riverside campgrounds (I have a good waterproof tent)?

We also have two one-man pontoon boats but I assume this would be a dangerous choice especially on a new river.

Thanks in advance for any insights. This is a long fantasized adventure I don't want to keep putting off.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I would go in October and fish the middle section of the Klamath River.

Get a StreamTime map of the Klamath River.

We usually swing flies in the tail outs and runs real early till maybe 10:00 am.

Take a break and go out at 3:00 pm till dark.

If it is overcast you can fish all day.



Two handed rods work well when you have no back cast room.

We like a floating line, leader the length of your rod and 1x tippet.


Most any barbless #8-10 wet fly will work......some use nymphs.

Silver Hilton, Mossback, Assassin, Herniator, Brindle Bug, Burlap.......


A day with top guide Jason Hartwick will get you pointed in the right direction.

https://steelheadonthespey.wordpress.com/

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The Winter Run Steelhead are in short and long rivers.

Winter Steelhead Commando Mike McCune says the rewards are big if you can put in the effort. He says it is the best time for big wild Steelhead in the US.................. Nor CaL, OR and WA.

The traditional timing is Dec/Jan/Feb but it is all dependant on the rain which makes it more difficult.

In the lakey tide water they still use single handed fly rods ( 9- 9.5" #7/8/9 line) with a large selection of different sink rate lines.


Up river in the riffles and runs the two handed rods have taken over for swinging flies.

For indo nymphing fishing most use single handed rod ( 9'-10' #6/7/8 line) with a special floating line.

Getting a top guide will really help here too so you have a better change to be in the right place at the right time and you will learn how to read the water and how to fish the latest techniques.

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[TaylerW]

Gimme a ring some time, just had a few prime days open up.

[JasonB]

My brother and I would like to take our first north coast steelhead trip this fall or winter (2-3 day trip) and are looking for some recommendations. It could either be for big winter run fish or fall half-pounders. We've been fly-fishing for 30+ years but are still new to steelies (mostly limited to the American). Rivers like the Trinity, Klamath, Smith and Chetco come to mind (maybe even the Rogue in OR). We have 6-wt switch rods and 10' 7wt normal fast action rods.

Should I assume most of the guided trips are already booked? If so, is wade fishing a good option anywhere? If we do book a guide, what is the typical policy in case of blown out rivers? In the interests of saving money, are there some decent riverside campgrounds (I have a good waterproof tent)?

We also have two one-man pontoon boats but I assume this would be a dangerous choice especially on a new river.

Thanks in advance for any insights. This is a long fantasized adventure I don't want to keep putting off.

Some wide open questions there, but I'll give a stab at helping you a bit:
-All the streams you mention are worth a trip for sure, just narrow it down to "when" and that helps a lot with the "where" The Klamath, Trinity and Rogue are long rivers with lots and lots of options about where to fish them depending on the timing. Be warned that the Smith is not an easy river to fish, particularly from shore. There's lots of access points but it is a very challenging stream to hook up on, and the few fish I have hooked there have all managed to easily regain their freedom. A lot of strong current, some deeper runs, lots and lots of willows along the edges to give you grief, etc. A boat would be very helpful there. You might also consider fishing on the Eel and the SF Eel river...

-Both rods should be good for fall steelies, moving into winter conditions a more stout rod is nice for tossing heavier sink tips and bigger/heavier flies. Not absolutely needed, but handy for sure.

-There are lots of areas where you can camp, but again you need to narrow things down a bit

-There is good wading on all the rivers you've mentioned, you may need to do some homework to find the better accesses in some areas but for the most part there is quite a bit on all those streams.

-One man pontoon boats are kinda sketchy for any real whitewater, so unless you know the section of river reasonably well (and have some stream navigation skills) I wouldn't personally recommend them. There are some rapids on all the streams you mention that would be a bit much for small pontoons, depending on what section you were on (and what the flows are). There are some calmer floats on some of those streams, but a bigger boat would probably be a safer bet overall (especially moving into winter, where a spill could easily give you hypothermia).

-October-November is pretty ideal timing for the fall fish, there is usually a bit of a lull before the winter run really gets going after that.

[Troutsource]

Thanks everyone for the great information. I've had to mull this over and I think we are going to wait and see how the weather plays out, and given the flexibility of our schedules we may go mid-week -- probably the Trinity or Klamath. Not sure yet whether we'll go with a guide or just fish from the shore, or maybe guide one day (with a boat) then self-guide the next (without a boat). Can't wait to finally do this.

[avidangler]

For bank access and good fly fishing water the Trinity in October from Del Loma to Junction city would be your best bet. See a spot you like,pull off at a turnout and fish away. You can't go wrong with a glo bug with a hares ear or prince nymph dropper fly in the riffles . Just move until you find fish and hit that area . Good luck!

[Troutsource]

Avidangler, thanks for the great info. Sounds like a perfect set up. I'll be pulling this post back up once we decide to pull the trigger, then I'll post a report.

[DAVID95670]

Oregon Or washington

[Troutsource]

Oregon Or washington

Not a bad idea. I have been inspired many an evening by the conquests of one Mr. Langenbeck. In fact, I believe it's nearing that time of year.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

After lots of years of being around the Steelhead scene and talking with many Steelhead fly fishing guides and many avid Steelhead fly fishers I believe the average time window for good results swinging flies on a floating line in nor Cal and Oegon is September 15 through November 15, most years.

Some would say the 4th of July through November but early on in July and August the days are warm and fishing can be good early and late, especially if you live on one of these rivers. Lots of down time md-day on these hot days.

Many of these summer/fall Steelhead rivers are very long so in September you would be in the lower reaches.

In November you might be in the upper reaches.

Some people can go on lots of fall trips and some might be lucky to go once....for going once a year I would target October.


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