Smith River

Over the weekend the river hit 63k cfs. It was at 11k and dropping well as I left the house saturday. Pitched camp at Jedediah and you could tell that they had gotten hammered, everything soaked and tree debris everywhere, not to mention a swollen river! I went down to the Park Hole mostly to look and have a brew. While I was there I saw an empty kayak floating down the river, I tried to hook it but couldn't reach it. I last saw it shooting the whitewater downstream of me...
Next morning I start sniffing around, checking out the look of things, looking for rolling fish in different holes. Lo and behold I spot the same kayak washed up on some rocks. I decide to put in and go after it. Turns out to be a tandem Islander, not a fishing machine but a good date vehicle.
By now the day is in full swing and the bar I'm on is beautifuly sunny and still. I then see a fish roll on my side of the river away from where the drift boats have been cruising through. Ok, I say, and start wrapping a Kwikfish with the requisite anchovy fillet. Long story short, I hook and land w/o a net, a freshy 38" buck. This all happened in view of my truck. I was in my 8' pram but it would have been very do-able in my yak.
The salmon is smoking as I write and I'm leaving for Del Norte county in the morning, baby!
A side note, on my way up I stopped and looked at the Eel in several places. Just downstream of the trestle at the forks I saw wake after wake headed upriver. Exciting, yes! I also heard though that this year the south fork Eel is closed till January 1st. I'm told this info is on the flow hotline. I've still got to check it for myself.

Sounds like a blast mako1. Nice fish too 

FF

Awesome fish, report, and salvage!  Wack a couple more for us out of towners...

 Nice one Juan I hope we can sneak away to look for some of that action. Thanks for the intel!

I'm right behind you Juan, will be up there next week. awesome fish!

Nice on Juan!

Wow great fish and what a score on the new love machine!

John

Go Obie Juan!! Looks like a great day on the river. And who ever comes home w/ more yaks than they left with? You've got some good juju going.. you need to fish more.. NOW!!

Z

I'm continually amazed that salmon almost always fall for the anchovie wrapped Kwikfish.

WTG Juan-

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet fish. Those are rarities this year. Nice job.

Freddie

Nice Fish Juan

Way to go, Juan!  Thanks for the report. 

It's the main stem that's closed until January 1st.  It's like that every year - your friend heard it wrong.   

Eric

Outstanding Juan! Someday I'll make it up there, but not today.