Chetco
Flows have dropped on the Chetco but Dave Jacobs says the color is perfect in the middle and lower drifts. Dave had a single on board on Tuesday 1-31. They hooked and landed 3 with fish to 12 pounds (two wild and one hatchery). Dave said the lower end was real "fishy" with lots of rolling fish that were just beginning to push in above tide water. There is a small front just off the coast and looking at the radar we will see rain overnight. This does not look to be a blowout type system and we should see a small rise overnight which will only improve conditions. Fresh fish moving in + a small rise should = some great fishing later this week. Dave and Wally Johnson both have spots open this week and both have upper river guide permits which allows them to fish clients on less traveled waters on this permit only section.

One could not ask for better river conditions than what was seen on Monday 1-30. The Smith river flat lined at 10 feet and dropped just 6 inches over the past 24 hours. Guides reported good scores of 3 to 5 fish landed per boat of solid fish averaging 8 to 10 pounds with a few in the mid to upper teens. Kim Hagens's twosome batted 1000 landing 4 fish for 4 hooked including a couple of keeper hatchery run fish. Kevin Brock's twosome batted 600 with 3 fish to the net out of five hooked. Tony started on the Smith landing one, got antsy and trailered north to the Chetco where they put in two more. Tony said he didn't know if that was a good move or not but his clients sure enjoyed seeing two rivers in one day.
On Sunday fishing the Chetco Dave reported four native fish landed for one clients fishing the upper Chetco. Both of these rivers have good numbers of fish in their lower runs and there is more good fishing ahead. The forecast calls for dry weather this week and we expect both to slowly drop and clear. The watershed is saturated which should keep some color in both into next weekend.

Dave Jacobs checked in Saturday 1-28 evening reports the upper scenic portion of the Chetco is still a tad high but has great color and some willing fish. His two clients landed two wild steelies tday releasing both. Dave says this section should be on fire Sunday and expects both the Chetco and Smith to fish well all week. He plans on concentrating on the Chetco most of this week but rain Sunday night could change his plans???.
The Smith river has dropped into perfect shape and so far today scores coming in have been solid. While I expect a few more reports to come in Kim Hagen called in at 3:PM Saturday 1-28 with 5 landed out of 7 hooked. Kim said the river is sporting it's renown emerald green flows and aside from the extra boat traffic (due to the Chetco still being high) you couldn't ask for better conditions. Kim said all their fish were in the 8 to 11 pound class. Kevin Brock had two newbies on board and said they did great. They made good casts and hooked 6 fish landing 3 to 12 pounds. There is always a bit of a learning curve, even for seasoned anglers when trying out a new fishery. When clients and guide work as a cohesive unit and each know their role is when good scores happen. I expect Tony, Wally and even Dave to check in later and will get their scores up soon. The river is at a perfect height at 11.4 feet and will drop to about 11 overnight. Light rain is expect late tomorrow which will set the stage for great fishing all next week. The longer range forecast calls for dry weather all next week.

Back In Play!
The Smith river dropped back in late Friday 1-17. Most guides were plunking today reported Wally Johnson but a couple did make a late afternoon drift on the upper river. Scores were not nearly as good today with most reporting 1 to 3 fish each. That big keg of fish has pushed up river and guides should be seeing better scores drifting the upper section this weekend. We have also been seeing a huge swell the past few days and this likely kept the fish from pushing in. Wally reported two fish plunking today. He said Brice Dusi did drift the upper section in "BIG" water and managed two.
Dave Jacobs texted in a report of three fish drifting the upper section. he said the upper Chetco looks to be in on Sunday and we will see lots of traffic on the Smith on Saturday. Once the pressure thins out guides are expecting good counts from both rivers all this coming week. The forecast looks great with an inch or less rain expected late Sunday and dry weather all next week. It's peak season boys and girls and time to go!