Smith river float trip report 1-16-08

Graham (salty dog) and I did the "outhouse run" on the Smith yesterday. The weather was awesome but the river was still flowing pretty strong. We could see fish in the water but they weren't biting. My bro blames my month old cured roe but he wasn't catching anything on plugs and spoons either. Nobody was so that's always a consolation for the dejected Fisherman. You should of heard the talk from the Guides at the take-out, man were the excuses flyin'.

I of course expect no fish with my streak so I use the time to photograph and work on new river fishing techniques. This latest I simply call "Brushing". I use a clamp device with quick release to attach to brush along the bank or mid river. It can be whatever length you like but shorter is better than longer I can then hold my position facing downstream and fish my preferred angle. This clamp attaches and holds firm to even small willow brush. You have to be extremely careful when attaching your boat near an eddy line or to anything for that matter. This like the anchor set-up will pull your kayak underwater if not done correctly and with quick releases in place.

The other technique I'm favoring these days is simply back paddling into the current drift-boat style. I cast out keeping my bail open and let the roe drift downstream naturally. I grip my rod with my knees and start back paddling using my whole body to work the line across currents. If you're outside of the main flow you can stay in  one spot all day like this using draw strokes and stern sweeps. To finish I reel the hook back to me and leave it sitting near the river bottom and coast through the rapid back bouncing the roe. Fish on the end of the line are needed to confirm all this but go out there and try it out cause river season only last so long. Here are some pics

Great report, Hawk.  Thanks for sharing the info - nice brushing technique.   

Quick release on the brush gripper is a great idea. I have had to cut mine loose a couple of time due to high wind and big swells when cliping off to kelp.

Dude, Hawk, that is just awesome. Fish or not.
Its pretty cool to see the evolution of SOT river kayak fishing happening right before my eyes too! The quick-release on the brush clip is perfect.
Great pics too!

Thanks for sharing. Hope you get a nice fat steelie next time!
PK
 
And Tote, I had to cut my kelp-anchor once too. The tide came up big time and the swell increased too. That was the second time I ever went ocean kayak fishing. I felt like a dumbass and eventually retrieved the brass clip.