Smith/Chetco Road Trip February 2014

I need to float the Smith and Chetco again for Steelhead.  Who wants to join me?  Rooms at the Ship Ashore Best Western are not too terribly expensive especially as they may allow up to four guys in one room.  I have attached room and camping pricing. I have only ever done this with local guides and we had a great time.  I think it might be fun to get a group together and make the road trip up the for two nights and two days fishing.   There are even guys that will move our cars from the launch location down to the landing location.  You may want to think about an anchor set up similar to one one in the picture to anchor in above a hole that could be holding fish.   I am no steelhead expert (caught only one)  Does anyone want to volunteer to be tour guide and I can play trip coordinator?  Another option is to pay a local guide with a drift boat to "mothership" us a bit and get us on the good holes.  Feedback appreciated,   company wanted.  Mid week is best for me but I could do a weekend as well.

MoMo.

I will be putting some hours on these rivers this year hopefully, I'll take the RV and camp. Thats a long way off but if I'm not somewhere else I'm down.

That is some dang clear water.
When in Feb were yo thinking?

Sounds fun to me Eric! I'll be down for a freezing balls adventure.

I'll be down for a freezing balls adventure.

Now THAT'S funny!!!!!!!!!!   
And oh so true.

That is some dang clear water.
When in Feb were yo thinking?

I think I was the only one to hook up that day,  water was super clear.  Gorgeous but not great for fishing.

I am open ANYtime in Feb,   just can't be gone 2/14/14 is the only thing.   

And we should avoid the derby dates 2/20-2/22   http://www.rowdycreek.com/derby/

If I can swing it I'd be interested.  It's been awhile but in past years I've gone up there with an old buddy on a few guided drifts. We fished the Chetco in mid- to late-January.  It's all about the timing - one trip we hit it perfect just after a storm on dropping flows. First day the dropping water was still a little dirty - landed one.  The following day the water was perfect "steelhead green", that emerald color with just the right clarity - and a push of fresh fish had moved in.  Cold and drizzly. Landed 6 bright chromers between 8-14#.  Nothing like the fight of a chromer steelhead right out of the ocean!  One of those perfect days that just stay with you. Damn, I'm getting all worked-up....need some north coast river time.   

Would be interested if I can get the time off. Do you need to anchor to target them? I have a quick release anchor, which I have never used but no river anchor. I have only fly fished for them from shore.

I'm definitely in, sounds like a fun trip. Week days would be best, a lot less traffic on the river but I'm game for either weekends or week days. Most of the people who fish Smith and Chetco out of a drift boat are side drifting for steelhead, very important not to cross over the fish in clear water. I run the same type of anchor (pyramid), you have to be careful with them they can cost you. Never anchor in fast water and when traveling thru fast water make sure you wrap the rope around something to make sure it doesn't slip. A couple years ago a guide lost his life on the Smith below the forks, his rope slipped the anchor hit the bottom locked up on some rocks and pulled the ass end of the drift boat under. His client made it out alive but not the guide.
Pete

How about heading up 2/11/14? Fishing 2/12 and 2/13 and then head back on 2/13 after lunch?

What about a local guide?   Guys that are interested so far are among the most knowledgeable  here.  Is it needed or just an added expense?




Eric Morgan
Trident Ultra 4.7
Not the guy selling the Outback
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That is a LONG road trip.

With that long of a drive, I would say give yourself at least 2.5 days of solid fishing. It's almost best to play it by the weather only takes the smith 24 hrs and the thing will be fish able clear, 3-4 days post rain ur back to gin clear water. Chetco is another story all together.

How many hours to get there from Paso Robles CappyMoMo. I've never fished the river. would like to have to check out how taxes will be before I can commit.

How many hours to get there from Paso Robles CappyMoMo. I've never fished the river. would like to have to check out how taxes will be before I can commit.

Pretty solid 9 hours.  Maybe more.  Fantastic country to drive through.  From Paso, plus or minus 580 miles.


Eric Morgan
Trident Ultra 4.7
Not the guy selling the Outback
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I live on the Smith. If you guys need a ride between spots I could do it.
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