steelhead or trout drift?

Anyone want to do a steelhead drift anywhere before the end of the month? I was also thinking about doing a run on the Yuba for trout, with all this hot weather there should be some hatches going on soon. I'm relatively new to drift fishing so I'm trying to learn as much as I can about different launches and runs, so I'm down for anything.

Drift fishing is definitely not for the inexperienced hopefully you have some kayak OTW time under your belt. Fishing in swift currents and anchoring up can lead to some pretty hairy situations. Just make sure you have a quick release anchor setup and bring your A game especially this time of year with the cold water/swift currents. If you end up drifting good luck on the STEEL.

I've had a fair amount of kayaking time on wild rivers, just not for fishing. I'd like to be part of a river flotilla to share in the fun and see how others make it happen.

Last year I paid a guide to go down the Russian River and no luck. It was a VERY mellow drift, ok for most anyone who has been out on a yak only a few times. From what I hear there are fish in the river ( not sure what the flow rate is now) the weather is going to be great and I would really appreciate it if those who are on this forum / group who are in the know (must but like 10 or more guys) to let the rest of us in on the fun. I can hold one other Kayak on my car but we need to organize a drop-off and pick-up deal. Most of the fishermen are cool not to steal you gear or boat if you launch it in Healdsburg while you drop another car off down near Guerneville.

Maybe we can get the inside scoop from one of the cool locals.

I am up for it so lets make an event !

J

russian is running at 550cfs and clear as hell, there are fish in the system, but the bite is really tough at the moment, just waiting for more rain, then clearing, then i will be floating again, cameron

well it looks like we've got some rain coming on monday and tuesday, how fast does the russian clear? I can fit two yaks on my truck and would love to set up a shuttle.

Lot's of variables but as a rule 10 days after 2 or 3"

FYI, in the last couple of weeks the Steelhead reports have not been too good on the Russian (as bwodun noted).  But  recently a friend of mine drifted from the dam at Memorial Beach in Healdsburg to Johnson's Beach in Guerneville and landed, and released, a nice 8-10 pound wild hen steelie in the mid-morning.  That was their only fish on for the day and it bit on roe at the Redwood hole.  This past sunday a different pair of friends of mine witnessed, from shore, a 4-6 lb steelhead jumping around along the bank of the river at the same hole-but they were unable to coax a bite with spoons.  Hopefully when the water clears in a week or two the fish will still be there and will be more willing to bite.

The Redwood hole is a must-fish for anyone that is drifting down from Healdsburg to Guerneville, it is located 1.4 miles (according to Google Earth lol) upriver from Wholer Bridge.  Attached is a map of where the hole is in relation to Wholer Bridge along the Russian. 

Another piece of advice...when fishing the Redwood hole stay on the right hand side (facing downstream) and cast into the current by the rock formation in front of you on the left...and bring a small trout rod with light line and a 1/4 oz kastmaster.  Friends and I have gone out 3 or 4 times in the past week or so and just gone for INSANELY consistent trout there.  Landed 10-30 Rainbow's to 12" on average, per person when we fished there from the bank or from the river.

Not sure about the Wholer Dam situation, we always pulled out before we got there but I assume it's not up due to the large number of drift boats we have seen go by.

Good luck with the steelhead 

Thanks for the intel, I'm looking forward to getting back on the rivers after this dose of rain. Anyone want to book a hook-up on the Russian sometime later next week?

Went over the bridge at Healdsburg today and it's gonna take at least the 10 days Mickfish mentioned to clear up enough to fish. If it were me I'd leave the "trout" alone. Matter of fact we have been using #2 and bigger barbless hooks when using bait to try and avoid the "trout".

Went over the bridge at Healdsburg today and it's gonna take at least the 10 days Mickfish mentioned to clear up enough to fish. If it were me I'd leave the "trout" alone. Matter of fact we have been using #2 and bigger barbless hooks when using bait to try and avoid the "trout".

  Yes Otobepelagic I understand that even c&r fishing for the Halfpounders or "trout" is not always viewed as sustainably kosher, but I highly doubt that there is any proof out there that the damage to the fish stock caused by catching and promptly releasing (with a single, barbless hook on the back of my lure I might add) the several dozen "trout" over the season is any more damaging than catching a matured hen steelhead on it's way up river to lay eggs-both of which are legal in the eyes of the DFG.  Either way you feel, a single barbless hook should be used...and with bait a larger-size hook is definitely a good call. 

I agree with Allen I use the biggest legal hooks 1 or 1/0 if I see any smolts I move, adults and smolt don't normally hold in the same spots.
I don't know the survival rate of the smolts but even if they don't die you might injure them making them easier prey for other fish,otters and birds.
You say a couple of dozen over the season but in your post you say you caught 10-30 in 1 outing so your estimate is a little low unless you don't plan on fishing any more. Smolts are not 1/2 pounders which normally weigh 2 or 3 lbs and are much harder to catch then the smolts.
If you see a Steelie jumping around along the bank it's probably a downstreamer up stream fish will hold near the bottom in meat of the current.

Not judging you just giving you a little info. Good Luck out there.

Yeah good call I understand what you mean.  Several dozen would have been a better estimate and I went 3 times, and no more fishing for little ones for me lol.  Thanks for the advice, I appreciate the non-judgement.

I've had better luck along the rip rap above redwood than the hole give that a shot next time sometimes you can see packs of  fish moving up. Pretty exciting sight casting to steel.