Smith River steelhead fishing report 12-15-2014

Smith River steelhead fishing report 12-15-2014.

Smith River salmon and steelhead fishing report

The salmon fishing on the Smith River has slowed in December and the start of this years steelhead run is beginning now.  The Smith River faired well with this past weeks storm and is now at very fishable levels for both bank and boat fishermen. Flows now are 9.5 feet or 5200 cfs with great color.   The  steelhead fishing is just beginning and will gain momentum in late December and early January with every passing storm.  There are very few steelhead coming in now but those numbers will certainly increase in the coming weeks as more and more steelhead enter the Smith River.  The Smith River is the fastest to clear and is a good choice when Northern California rains muddy up other rivers.

Sacramento River fishing report

The Sacramento River salmon fishing season will come to a quiet close on December 16th due to poor water conditions from recent rains in Northern California.  Last weeks rains have risen Shasta Lake over 20 feet in the last six days and has become very muddy making the releases into the Sacramento River muddy from the very top at Keswick Dam.  The white sturgeon are moving upriver to their spawning grounds on the Sacramento River now and those fish are fishable in these muddy flows with the best sturgeon fishing December through March.  The Sacramento River is just too muddy for any success salmon and steelhead fishing.  Steelheader’s should look to the Trinity, Smith or Chetco River’s for better fishing conditions.

Trinity River steelhead fishing report

The Trinity River is once again fishing for wild and hatchery steelhead 3 to 6 pounds on average.  The upper section below Lewiston clears the fastest after storms and has a good number of steelhead below the hatchery in Lewiston.  The Trinity River is at its Winter flows of 300 cfs making for both bank and boat fishing opportunities.  Both conventional and fly fishing techniques best right now.  Flows are higher and more colored as anglers move downriver through Douglas City,  Junction City and below the North Fork at Helena.

The Northern California fishing report of the Sacramento, Trinity and Smith River’s are courtesy of Dave Jacobs Professional Guide Service. For more local fishing information, call guide Dave Jacobs at 1 (530) 646-9110 or visit the website at http://www.sacramentofishing.com