The Smith is back to low and clear here on Sunday 1-13. Guide Dave Jacobs reports that the Smith has been "stingy" and not giving up many fish in the clear conditions. The river is presently at 8.5 feet and will drop through Wednesday morning. Dave says that there were a few decent scores mid week of 2 to 3 per boat but it's ones and nones now. The rains look to be light the next few days. The guidance plots calls for a slow drop into Wednesday and then quickly climb to the 14 foot level on Thursday. The river will quickly drop with the dry weekend forecast and now is the time to start making those "river plans".
Dave was fishing the Chetco today and reported two hooked and one landed. He was fishing a single regular client who is always a "hot stick" in the front seat. Dave says that two weeks ago he saw few fish in the system. Last week he saw a few and today reported he saw some groups of 12 to 25 fish. At the take out on their first drift Dave said that he missed one and the three boats sliding in behind all hooked out. The Chetco will muddy up before the Smith but is a top bet the next few days.