A phenomenal 2001-2002 winter steelhead season concluded on March 31st, a very good striper season was had on the Sacramento River and the springer fishing on the Klamath was excellent. As I always try to do, I will give a brief summary of each river, noting a few highlights, and look toward what I'll be fishing for next.
Mattole River - For the first time in many years we did not finish the steelhead season on the Mattole. Normally in March the weather patterns turn more spring-like, producing less rainfall and giving the river a chance to clear. This year, however, the rain fell just frequently enough that the Mattole never really got fishable for any length of time. I did fish the river twice, hooking only one on a day in late January, and again in February when I floated it without so much as a strike. Those two days turned out to be the only blemishes on an otherwise perfect record for the season.
Eel River - Although I never fished the Eel or had another boat on it last season, there were times when the reports from the lower South Fork and Main stem were very good, particularly in early March.
Van Duzen River - I did fish the Van Duzen a handful of days and with the exception of the first time (when we only landed two) it really fished well. The best day was March 20th when Robert Harris of Eureka and his partner Bill McDonald from Seattle landed 9 of 13 hooked. The following day Hugh and Kathleen Barker of Daly City went 7 for 11.
Mad River - The Mad had a tremendous run of steelhead last winter and it seemed that every angler on the West Coast heard about it. I never fished the Mad but my partner Brice did and said that the river was so crowded it was often a battle just to find a place to put his lures out. Even with the crowded conditions he had pretty good fishing, usually hooking six to nine fish per day.
Smith River - I can describe the season we had on the Smith in one word...consistent. In fifteen years of guiding I have never seen the river produce the numbers of steelhead day in and day out that the Smith did in the '01-'02 season. I probably had seventy days on the river without a single fishless day. When you think about how rapidly the conditions can change with rain or the lack of it, to fish that many days without a single skunk on the toughest river we have is a real testament to how healthy the run was. It is also a record that I am very proud of, as I don't know of another guide who can make that claim. The largest steelhead of the season was caught by Dale White of Bay Point back in late January and was a hefty 19 pounds. Other sizeable fish of note were caught. Gordon Vosti battled and released a seventeen-pounder, and Ernie Dellabama also landed a seventeen-pounder on a trip given to him for Christmas by his son, Bob. The hottest fishing was had by Andy Dugo and Marty Adrian of Escalon in mid-January. For their two days of fishing they hooked nineteen steelhead and landed fifteen of them, including a double each day.
Stripers - The Sacramento River Striped Bass season produced more large fish for me than ever. Overall I would say that the fishing was good for numbers but great for size. Murray Wolffe released a big female that was well over thirty pounds and took the honors for the largest striper in my boat this year.
Klamath River Spring Salmon - Springer fishing on the Klamath was about as good as I’ve ever seen it from late may through late June. Most days we were hooking five to seven fish ranging from eight to fifteen pounds. Fifteen year old Megan Gray landed the largest springer of the season, a really nice 23 pounder. For the most part, the bite was a morning show with only few fish hooked after noon.
Finally - In anticipation of another large return of King Salmon to the Klamath, the Department of Fish and Game has allowed a quota of roughly 20,000 fish to sport anglers. The daily bag limit will be three salmon (two adults and one jack) per person. This bag limit will also apply to the Trinity River. These two rivers are the most popular fisheries that we offer and the calendar for both is already getting tight. My point is if you are intending to fish the Klamath or Trinity with us this year and haven’t made reservations yet you need to make the call right away. Those who don’t act quickly will likely not get in. I’m taking reservations for jetboat fishing on the Klamath for the period of August 15th through October 6th. I’ll have drift boats working on the Trinity beginning the last week of September and continuing through at least the first week of November. I’ll be on the Trinity beginning the morning of October 7th.
It has been an incredible year to this point and we’re excited and optimistic about the upcoming seasons. The hooks are all tied, the sinkers are made, the reels all have fresh line on them and it’s time to go fishing again. A sincere thank you to all who have enjoyed fishing with us. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Best regards and good fishing,
John Klar