Russian River Smallies

I want to drift the Russian for smalls. I would like to also find a campground on the river that will accommodate a travel trailer. Casini Ranch looks cool but is that to close to ocean to have smallmouth?
Any suggestions,

http://www.alexandervalleycampgrounds.com/

http://hiltonparkcampground.com/

http://www.burkescanoetrips.com/

don't know about the hook-ups at Burkes or Hilton but from the AV Campground you can do a drift to Healdsburg which is probably the best reach for smallies it is a long drift but not bad if you just paddle an hour or two then fish. You can get a shuttle from Rivers Edge http://riversedgekayakandcanoe.com/ in H Town. Dale works there and he is a NCKA member.
The tidal section ends at Casini and not a lot of smallies in there. HTown to Forestville can be good and less traffic and more Scenic but you have 1 dam you have to carry over but it's easy but I think you are on your own for a shuttle. 

Thank you for the info Mickfish I have wanted to hit that river forever, but never have taken the time to do research. I am definitely going to save this information.

I paddled it last monday with friends five miles up down tot he damn, spotted tons of small trout and smallmouth from 4-8 inches in length.  There are a few shallow areas but a few deep spots that might hold some nice fish in there.

i drifted from forestville to just past johnson's beach near downtown geurneville last week. caught 9 smallies about this size. all on tiny crankbaits. most fish taken by submerged logs..

If you're fishing the Russian River for smallmouth and want to catch bigger fishes, try upsizing your lure. I've caught some monster smallmouths out of the Russian but the key is presentation and understanding the stakeout holes where the bigger fishes hold.
Fallen timber will normally produce fish on the Russian but I tend to catch mostly smaller fishes out of the timber piles. If you want the bigger Smallies, go with fishing the pools, seams, and rock piles. I find that the bigger Smallies in the Russian seem to travel solo and the secret is "finesse" fishing... Use a small 1/32 jig with a small plastic of your choice and let the magic happen...

I have been fishing the Russian river for about 5 years I use a ugly stick 5.6' and use night crawlers.  You can either use a bobber or use  a lindy sinker with the night crawler hooker through the nose.

I have been fishing the Russian river for about 5 years I use a ugly stick 5.6' and use night crawlers.  You can either use a bobber or use  a lindy sinker with the night crawler hooker through the nose.

  Bait is illegal except in the Winter months no barbs either. Switch to a Robo and you will catch just as many and probably bigger.

I fished today from 11:30 till about 1 and it was on, caught about 25 fish most like 9-10" but  4 over 15" and a few in the 12-13" range. All caught on 2.5" sliver and black Rapala Original,  above Healdsburg it was fun casting between the Beach Ball Girls hooking up on the surface.

Casini and Johnson's beach is very good. If bait is not in season I have used crank baits like rapalas and they work very well I have found that jigs work well at rocks. But not aswell as swim baits at the logs.

Good info thanks guys

I have been fishing the Russian river for about 5 years I use a ugly stick 5.6' and use night crawlers.  You can either use a bobber or use  a lindy sinker with the night crawler hooker through the nose.

  Bait is illegal except in the Winter months no barbs either. Switch to a Robo and you will catch just as many and probably bigger.

I fished today from 11:30 till about 1 and it was on, caught about 25 fish most like 9-10" but  4 over 15" and a few in the 12-13" range. All caught on 2.5" sliver and black Rapala Original,  above Healdsburg it was fun casting between the Beach Ball Girls hooking up on the surface.

I need a guided trip with you - let's do it soon!