Salmon season on the upper Trinity River starts in June
with the arrival of the spring run Chinook. These silver
fish average 8 to 15 pounds and are a handful on light
tackle (which we specialize in). We typically fish for
these monsters using conventional gear. But we fly-fish
for them as well. We swing larger 5" articulated
bunny leaches down into the head of pools and deep riffles
where the lead aggressive fish hang out. We are generally
using 10-12 wt rods with 300-450 grain shooting heads.
The grab can take the rod out of your hand. The hook
to land ratio is not real good, about 50% at best. When
hooked these large fish go crazy with no where to run
but up or down river, and unless you have room to chase
them they generally get to keep your fly. We also pull
plugs in the deeper holes where the fish group up on
the journey to their spawning grounds. The water is crystal
clear and it is quite an experience to drift up on these
fish, where sometimes all you see is waves of huge shadows
darting under the drift boat as we make our way down
river to the next fishing location.
We
primarily fish the upper 90 miles of the Trinity River from
Lewiston dam down to the Hoopa reservation, We generally
fish out of the drift boat, for Salmon, but we do get out
and fish as much as possible. We can fish a different stretch
of the river every day of the week.
August brings the
arrival of the fall run Chinook. These fresh fish are like
the spring run except they usually arrive accompanied with
more steelhead and Coho mixed in. Coho (silver Salmon) are
not as large as the Chinook but are extremely beautiful with
their vibrant green backs and red accented sides. They usually
rang 6 to 12 lbs., and It is not unusual to catch both in
the same day. You will also see the spring run Chinook on
their redds; (spawning beds) at this time of year. The Steelhead
often lay just behind the beds looking for loose eggs and
bugs that drift loose.
This time of year
the river is very peaceful with cooler evenings, school has
started and there are fewer campers and rafters on the water.
The steelhead fishing also picks up as winter approaches.
Our boats and equipment are state of the art, with everything
you need to catch that trophy salmon, including heaters in
the boat for those chilly mornings and digital cameras to
document the fishing adventure that you will never forget.
Lets go
Salmon fishing !!!!!! |