Are you tripping (Tripp-ing)? Meaning; are you fishing with Tripp? Ryan Tripp! Of Ryan Tripp’s Guide Service. Located here in Northern California. Taking place currently on California’s North Coast. Specifically, the Smith River. California’s Crown Jewel of the states river systems. The most amazing, and scenic, river you may ever set eyes upon. Hidden to most Californians by geographical shortcomings. The Smith River although tucked about as far in the Northwest corner of California as it can get. Is more then worth the lengthy drive to set eyes on. It’s literally shocking to witness in person, and jaw dropping to stand and stare at. When arriving to this hidden treasure in Del Norte County, California. Folks generally can’t believe this unknown paradise exist in our state. Not to mention the Smith River hosts the California state record for Steelhead Trout (just over 28 pounds). As well as a reputation for producing much larger steelhead on average then any other river system in our state. To top it all off, the Smith River seldom misses a day of steelhead fishing due to rainy weather. Where many other popular steelhead rivers in the state get blown out (muddy and silty) for weeks or more during the three month season (January-March). Making the Smith River a big attraction for addicted steelheaders.

A big wild buck (male) steelhead is held for a photo by a client before being released back into the Smith River. January 24, 2021

Steelhead are for the most part unfamiliar to most inland anglers. Simply because there aren’t a lot of places to catch them. In comparison to much more abundant and well distributed species. Such as bass, trout, and catfish. Which can be found almost state wide. Sturgeon, striped bass, and Chinook salmon are targeted all in close proximity to densely populated area’s of the state. Making fishing for these species more readily available, hence more popular. While the native steelhead are found in much more remote areas of our states coastal mountain range. In rivers and creeks that dump directly into the Pacific Ocean. This is where steelhead spend the majority of their life, growing to maturity. Before again returning to fresh water to spawn and reproduce their young. Steelhead tributaries (creeks and streams steelhead reproduce in) are often nonexistent in the summer months. But come winter time they historically swell and become much larger rivers, with the rain runoff. This river rises allows easy passage for the migrating steelhead. So while most Californians spending their summer months vacationing in the Redwoods of the coastal communities along the Pacific Ocean. Wouldn’t have any idea what those trickling little creeks that are swam in, and played around during summer. Will turn into during the winter rainy season. When tourism ceases to exist! The Smith River is no exception to summer tourism. I myself will show up to the Smith River during the summer months. For vacationing and recreating with friends or family. The Smith River as it appears in the summertime would be better named something like “Smith Creek”. The rivers beauty repressed while it waits for winters rainfall.

Smith River steelhead fishing guide Ryan Tripp holds up a Hatchery Steelhead he caught while “plunking” on February 1, 2021 during a high water event.

The few small tourist driven towns that are buzzing all summer long. With thousands and thousands of tourists vacationing and traveling through the area. All disappear back to their city life. Kids go back to school. Parents back to work. Tourism slows to a standstill by the time December rolls around. The streets are now empty of traffic. The little gas station/convenience store’s hired summer helpers are gone. Only racks of roadside souvenirs, post cards, shot glasses, and random camping supplies remind you of tourist season in the little town of Hiouchi, Ca. Now the store owners tend to the very few local customers that stop by for daily necessities. The simple and quiet life has finally returned to these small communities of the Smith River.

South Fork of the Smith River just above the confluence with the Middle Fork Smith River.

Looking up river from the Middle Fork Smith River bridge just above the forks ( confluence Middle and South Fork Smith River) boat launch!

Strong Pacific Ocean low pressure systems start to bring rainfall to this coastal rain forest in late November-December. With the rain comes the rising river. With the rising river come the steelhead. By the new year, steelhead season on the Smith River is underway. Every high tide for the next three months, steelhead will enter the Smith River from the Pacific Ocean. Heading for the exact location of their conception. Many miles up raging and turbulent waters. Climbing elevation quickly once the river heads inland. Geographically speaking the Smith River heads strait up steep rocky coastal mountains. Likely the reason for larger, more genetically superior steelhead. Being their road home is much harder traveled. More so then any of the states other major steelhead tributaries. The Smith River remains one of the only waterways in California to not be dammed. It is completely wild and untamed. This river can reach flood stage one day and be fishable to some degree the following day. There is no other river like the Smith River! It is in a league of its own. So are the guys/gals that fish it. To be a fishing guide and guide steelhead fishing trips out of a drift boat on the Smith River. You have to love the fishery. I guess what I’m saying is… There are easier rivers to catch steelhead on for clients. The Smith River has many obstacles, variables and ever changing river levels to factor into your pre-game decision making as a guide. For new comers the gin clear Smith River water leaves a guy convinced there isn’t a steelhead anywhere around. Surely you would see them if they were. Right? (Fooled by your own deception) Wrong! A terrible misconception that steels the confidence out of new comers to the Smith. Just because you don’t see them, doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Nicknamed locally as the “Grey Ghost”. Often times unaware anglers are wading out to their thighs or waist. Casting to deeper faster water.

The steelhead they are targeting swim right at the feet of the unknowing angler. Almost invisible to the untrained eye. Glimpse’s caught of the blue and purple rays of color, that run parallel on the pectoral fins and tail of the mostly invisible advisory. If the crystal clear water isn’t enough to mentally run you off the river in search of greener waters. The big, snaggy, cobble river bottom should finish you off. The oversized cobble (round river rock) is found almost the entire length of the river. It eats up tackle at a astronomical rate. More by far then any other river system I know to exist. There is certainly a learning curve that won’t be learned without donating a crap load of tackle first. Frustration doesn’t even start to explain the feeling you get when you’re already freezing. With stinging fingers, and have to re-tie a broken off setup that was snagged in the cobble river bottom. Only to have it happen again on the very first cast after tying up a new setup. And then doing it again, and again…. Like I said before, you have to have the love of this fishery to endure this rivers stubborn ways.

A bank fisherman stands over a emerald green steelhead hole on the South Fork of the Smith River. It is considered rude and taboo to “walk down” ( join in bankfishing) on someone already fishing in a steelhead hole. It is considered acceptable to w… — A bank fisherman stands over a emerald green steelhead hole on the South Fork of the Smith River. It is considered rude and taboo to “walk down” ( join in bankfishing) on someone already fishing in a steelhead hole. It is considered acceptable to wait until the other angler is done and leaves. It is best to move on and come back later if need be.

If you thoroughly want to enjoy your steelhead fishing experience on the Smith River. It is suggested to hire a local fishing guide. One that lives/stays on the Smith River for the entire season. One who is rowing the river every fishable day. One who will catch you fish. Plain and simple! With a steelhead fishing guide you will be able to hop into the front of your drift boat and enjoy your full day drift down the most amazing river system in our state. Drifting beside giant Redwood and Fir trees that line the river banks as you pass through Jedediah Smith State Park. Absolutely a priceless experience that will be with you for ever. More then likely you will return again the following season. As your heart strings get tugged on, remembering your experience from the year prior. Hiring a steelhead fishing guide also insures you will get your hands on a wild California steelhead. Another experience you will never forget. Again something you will likely do time and again. Something you will surely never regret doing. Your only regret may be, not doing it sooner. The shiny, chrome, hard fighting, ocean going rainbow trout is certainly a bucket list fish that all anglers should experience catching.

A riverbank release back into the gin clear Smith River on January 27, 2021. Photo credits to Ryan Tripp.

Anglers and adventurists interested in checking out the Smith River for the first time. Or maybe some of you that have traveled to the Smith River on a DIY fishing trip. Only to return home empty handed and out of tackle. I urge you to give Smith River steelhead fishing guide Ryan Tripp a jingle. Ryan has been, and will continue to guide steelhead fishing trips on the North Coast of California for the two months left in the steelhead season (February and March). He is currently catching chrome bright steelhead everyday on the Smith River. If you haven’t yet fished with Ryan Tripp. You should go ahead and book a reservation with the young man. Arguably the most talented fishing guide in Northern California fresh water. It doesn’t matter what species of fish Ryan is targeting, he smashes it! Very easy to talk to, and highly educated in his industry, Ryan puts on quite a show for his clients. If you have any questions regarding this fishery, or any other fishery you may be interested in targeting with Ryan. Feel free to give him a call at (530)-635-3719 or find him on Instagram @ryantrippsguideservice!

This photo progression shows the the wild acrobatics of a North Coast steelhead on the fight.

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