The coastal rivers of Northern California are teeming with huge Chinook (king) salmon that are waiting for a rain to migrate up the coastal rivers.
This time of year, the large salmon stage in the tidal water and estuaries of the rivers. Salmon seek out the deepest holes they can find with overhanging brush for protection. The fish get acclimated to the freshwater and wait for a heavy rain to swim upstream to spawn.
The Smith River and Eel River are subject to a low-flow closure, and anglers can check the flow line by calling 707-822-3164. Note, though, that the Smith River remains open below the Highway 1 bridge even when a low-flow closure is in effect. Anglers do well fishing that area with bobbers and bait.
“We just had a bobber down and lost the fish — we have two big kings in the box, and we caught two yesterday,” reported David Castellanos of Cast Guide Service.
Castellanos was fishing the lower Smith River at the “piling hole” with clients when I called. He has been using fresh salmon eggs fished under a float, or bobber.
In this area, boaters anchor on the edge of the deep cuts along the river and cast their baits to the fishing holes. It is common to see large salmon rolling and jumping on the river’s surface.
Castellanos added: “We just watched a large deer come down to the river, and salmon are jumping in front of the boat.”
This type of fishing will continue until heavy rains start again. The most recent rain on the Smith River sent several hundred salmon upstream, and boaters were catching five to 10 per boat. When the river rises, drift boats back-troll pugs, and back-bounce salmon roe.
The next heavy rain will bring fresh kings into these rivers. There is always a chance of a 50-pounder!
• Mike Baxter has fished in the Monterey Bay Area since he was a boy and has been a licensed charter boat captain for more than 15 years. Contact him at [email protected].
