Fishing guide Mike Rasmussen snaps a photo of a wild California steelhead before it was released back into the Smith River. This photo was taken in February 2019 near Hiouchi, Ca in Del Norte County.

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Northern California fishing guide Mike Rasmussen of Mike’s Guide Service snaps a picture of rods out “plunking” for wild steelhead on Northern California’s Smith River. This picture was taken in February 2019 near Hiouchi, Ca.

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Steelhead anglers and fishing guides alike all gather on the river banks of Northern California’s Smith River during high flows to plunk for wild California steelhead. Also known as “Plunk City”.

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Smith River near Hiochi, Ca hold up a chrome wild steelhead they caught in February during high water. Following nearly a week of rain in the area. Fishing guide Mike Rasmussen took the photo of the two Northern California anglers.

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Steelhead angler Ryan Tripp unhooks his spin-glo and tosses it in the air as he attempts to release a wild steelhead back into the Smith River in Northern California. Fishing guide Mike Rasmussen snapped the photo of the release. The catch and release style fishing took place near Crescent City, Ca in February 2019.

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Fishing guide Mike Rasmussen captures a classic Smith River steelhead photo of friend Mike Tipton who wrestled this dime bright steelhead to the bank. Mike was more then happy to practice catch and release fishing and let this wild steelhead go back into the Smith River in Northern California.

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Mike Rasmussen of SalmonSacRiver.com highly recommends the quick and timely release of any wild steelhead brought to the bank or boat. It is import to quickly release the steelhead to improve mortality. This photo was taken on the Smith River in Northern California. Steelhead fishing generally takes place in January and February.

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Ryan Tripp from Oroville, Ca fights a wild Smith River steelhead he hooked while plunking at the Outhouse Hole near Hiouchi, Ca. February 20, 2019.

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Steelhead fishing guide Mike Rasmussen gets a photo of friend Ryan Tripp as he kneels beside a hen steelhead he had just caught and unhooked. Preparing to release a photo is taken on the Smith River near Crescent City, Ca.

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Northern California fishing guides prefer to release steelhead in the first three minutes after being caught. This timely release helps the wild steelhead return safely to spawn. Picture taken by salmon fishing guide Mike Rasmussen of SalmonSacRiver.com

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This is the most beautiful photo of a wild hen steelhead in all her beauty. This is the true wild California steelhead. Catch and Release was practiced and this wild steelhead was released back into the South Fork Eel River near Garberville, Ca.

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A quick pose of this wild steelhead before it was returned back into the Smith River near Hiouchi, Ca as part as a catch and release effort practiced by fishing guides and private anglers alike.

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Northern California sportsmen Ryan Trip poses quickly with a beautiful South Fork Smith River steelhead he caught in February 2019. Ryan was fishing with Steelhead fishing guide Mike Rasmussen of SalmonSacRiver.com.

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Wild Steelhead like this one caught by Ryan Tripp from Oroville, Ca are highly sought after during the winter months on California’s North Coast. This steelhead was photoed by fishing guide Mike Rasmussen of Mike’s Guide Service in January 2019 near Crescent City, Ca.

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This beautiful wild steelhead was caught by Ryan Tripp on a unmentioned creek in Northern California in January 2019. Fishing guide Mike Rasmussen was quick to take a photo before releasing the wild steelhead.

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California’s North Coast has many steelhead creek and rivers to choose from when looking to catch and release a wild California steelhead. The North Coast is littered with small streams and creeks that offer fishing guides and private anglers opportunities to catch these beautiful fish.

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This wild California silver salmon was caught by fishing guide Mike Rasmussen on the South Fork Eel River while pulling plugs for steelhead. This silver salmon was quickly released back into the river allowing it to spawn.

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