San Francisco Area Reports 8/29/05

[Wahoo!]

FRESHWATER
Rivers: Starting up at the Klamath, guide Harvey Young (541-469-2422) reports that the salmon and steelhead (summer run, ultra cool, even though it's quite warm) are moving farther into the estuary. He didn't fish Wednesday, but he did hear the talk, about the local who did what he always does, throwing a silver Kastmaster behind his little boat and slow-trolling upstream, and hooking 12 salmon, or just enough to finally land his limit. Nearby, below Blue Creek, fly-fishing guide Jack Trout (530-926-4540) is bringing his clients here three, sometimes four days a week. Adding semi-balance to the world, Trout is after steelhead, and he's doing fine in that task. Last trip was Saturday, when four anglers (three plus guide) landed nine adult steelhead to 12 pounds in four hours of fishing. How he does it: Trout first spots the steelhead, then high sticks the fly (or flies) through on a swing, sometimes mending line. The set-up: an 8-weight rod, floating line, 10-foot leader, no indicator, and two red Copper John's (sizes 12 and 16) about 22 inches apart, with a weight or two 20 inches above the top fly. More Jack Trout streams: The Trinity, below Lewiston, is fishing well, if you like nymphing (Stimulator or Humpy pattern above, with a size 18 Micro-Mayfly on a dropper) for 10- to 17- inch steelies. There's also the odd adult steelhead around, and it's said brown trout have moved through the weir at Evans Bar. The Upper Sacramento is steady, all through the day. The most productive water is from Dunsmuir on up, with the top getters size 16 PT. nymphs and Copper Johns, and Prince nymphs in size 14. As the sun drops, tie on a caddis pattern or Parachute Adams, and work the foam lines. Same deal on the McCloud, with the choice stretch from Ah- Di-Nah to the Conservancy. The dry fly here is a Pink Cahill, size 16 ... On the Lower Sacramento, the salmon run seems to be building, if slowly. Guide John Pizza (707-484-7244) launches from Los Molinos and works from Hamilton City to Red Bluff. He has had limits some days, half-limits the next, which puts his average at about a fish per rod. Pizza, like most guides in the area, starts out trolling a sardine-wrapped K-15 Kwikfish, then switches to back bouncing salmon roe ... Nothing but foul reviews wafting from the Feather, for about the fifth week running ... Bob Sparre (916-863-5866) canceled his Wednesday trip, as the American is mired in the lull between waves of salmon. Sunday, though, was good for four to 21 pounds for two anglers. Monday, he fished off Discovery Park, and saw one fish landed.

[PlatinumHooks]

Hey Jon, It's good that you started posting these. Will be great for our "up North" members.