The 2001 steelhead season concluded on March 31st and I have just returned from a short striper season on the Sacramento River. Overall, the steelhead run and fishing on our coastal rivers was very good. The one dark cloud that hung over us all winter was the possibility that the National Marine Fisheries Service would list steelhead as endangered. This listing, fortunately, never materialized as the N.M.F.S. didn’t feel that the populations warranted the listing. Following is a brief summary of how each river produced throughout the season, a highlight or two, and a look forward to what’s up next.
Smith River - California’s northern-most river had a great run of steelhead last winter and we had some great days on it. This usually followed the small storms we were getting. With our relatively low rainfall totals, the Smith was low and clear more often than not. These conditions made fishing difficult at times as the fish became spooky, but we also had some fantastic days. Mike Fridley and his fishing partner, Michael Golden hooked fifteen, including a pair of doubles and landed nine one day in late December. Phil and Theresa McLean went nine for twelve with a double on the last day of February.
Mad River - It was a strange year for the Mad. As well as the other rivers fished, the Mad just didn’t produce like it normally does. We had a few good days. Unfortunately, there were more days that we really had to work for our fish than I can ever remember. The biggest steelhead of my season did come from Mad River, however, when Mike Moore caught and released a world-class fish that we guessed to be in the nineteen-to-twenty pound range. This big buck was as perfect as any steelhead I have ever seen; chrome-bright, well proportioned, and not a mark on it.
Eel River - We spent part of the early season on the lower Eel and it produced about like it has in recent years; three to five hookups per day. One thing about Eel River though is you will never hook a sluggish fish. Archie Smith and John Kellebrew hooked six on January 20th with Brice Dusi. The South Fork fished very well in March with days of eight to ten hook-ups being reported.
Van Duzen - I fished the Van Duzen for four days and it was very good. My best day was one with fourteen hookups, but the highlight was when Jim Gaul had a fish he was fighting jump straight into the boat. I’ve caught thousands of steelhead over the years and this was a first for me.
Mattole River - This little jewel never seems to let us down and what an opportunity we had this year. This is where the lack of rain was truly in our favor. Because of the low water conditions, we fished the Mattole far more than in previous seasons. Joe Furgerson hooked fifteen fish by himself on a day in late March but, quite possibly the highlight of my entire season was seeing Carol Proffitt, who had never fished for anything like steelhead before, land every fish she hooked in two days - going nine for nine. This, to me, is an amazing accomplishment considering her lack of river experience and how hard those Mattole River fish fought. Carol was fishing with her son, Parker, and their overall count was eighteen fish landed out of twenty hooked.
What’s up Next - My Klamath River springer trips will be available beginning May 15th and running through the first week of July. As always, this will be the only special that I run throughout the year - $450.00 for four, $500.00 for five, with breakfast included. Last year, we had an incredible springer season. The projected return for 2001 is even better. Please take a look at the accompanying flyer which details the trip.
Lastly - The Department of Fish and Game has predicted a return of 750,000 adult Fall run king salmon to the Klamath River. They have set the largest sport quota and most liberal bag limits ever based on this massive anticipated return. Each angler will be allowed two adult salmon (over 22” ) and one jack salmon (under 22”) per day. If you were ever going to fish the Klamath or its tributary the Trinity for salmon this should be the year. I’ll start running jetboat trips on August 10th on the Klamath and will be there through October 6th. I’ll have drift boats working on the Trinity beginning September 25th and I’ll join them on October 7th. We’ll fish the Trinity through at least the first week of November.
Reservations can be made for these trips at this time and I strongly advise you to make them as early as you can. I’ll have multiple boats working both rivers every day and the schedule is already getting tight. If you have already booked your Fall salmon trip on the Klamath and have not yet made lodging reservations, please do so immediately at either Peggy’s (707-482-7905), Steelhead Lodge (707-482-8145) or the Trees Motel (707-482 3152). Your lodging reservations for the Trinity trips should be made at the Bigfoot Motel (530-629-2142).
A big thank you to everyone who fished with us this past season, new and veteran clients alike. We consider it a privilege to be your guides and look forward to seeing you on the water again very soon.
Good Fishing,
John Klar