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Steelhead Water

Guiding the very best rivers in S. Oregon and N. California
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Kid for life

November 16, 2016

As spring begins to summer, there's high anxiety, anticipation, a bit of doubt, the unknown and unforeseen, hope of a strong return. As with every season, it's filled with its highs & lows. Weather forever changing, adding different dynamics to the game, sometimes bad…sometimes good. There are a million or more variables to whether or not they come back in the numbers we hope. I'll take good over luck most days but I'll be damned on some.

Return

Himself

Beginning

Tim Garlick with a handsome mid-morning male. Check the freckles on the gill-plate

Bo Adams getting a little wet in July. If only he knew.

Don't freak out, it's gonna burn off

Bring the confidence, bring the fish. Marto brings it

Oh, how many times the question, "do they ever eat on the strip?" Answer: "Bout one a year" Brady Johnstone with the one

O'dark

Silver n' gold

Eric Gundersin checking himself in a mirror. I think he likes what he sees.

Loner

Safe

Herself

Roca blanca

Big Dave finds a big one

Nobody enjoys it more than Hitoshi Matsuda

Mr. Matsuda all business

The adventures of Huckleberry Finn begin

Trini-Dee

Sustenance

Brad Winchester with a beautiful hen fish

Beautiful river

Rick Davis with the only fish I can ever remember catching after a Kingfisher flew past

All the way from France, Emmanuel Dallaglio with a dandy of a buck

Sun spot

Ya bring yer fishin pole witcha didya? Yessir

First dusting

When you know you're in the right spot

Chris Bjuhr with a leaper of a buck.

Blushing gator for Keichi Aoyagi

End

Another beautiful river

These waters that call steelhead back to them are filled with learning and exploration. I can remember as a young boy, my mom dropping me off on the creeks draining the San Bernadino mountains for hours of rock hoping, swimming, looking for fish, bugs and other critters. For me, there is no end to it, and I thank all of you who allow me to be a kid for life...

Rich

Tags: Steelhead, Spey Casting, Steelhead Guide, Fly Fishing, Dry Fly Steelhead, North Umpqua River, Trinity River, Oregon, California
4 Comments

Announcing Jefferson Spey Sessions - December 2-4, 2016

November 01, 2016

The Jefferson Spey Sessions on the Smith are designed to target sink-tip and winter steelhead spey casting fundamentals, both for those who are developing new skills (no spey casting experience required) and those who want to evolve what they already know.

Your hosts, Whitney, Jason and Rich, share a passion that is unmatched for teaching, spey, steelhead and watching their students grow. Experience a day with each of them and you’ll emerge from the Jefferson Winter Spey Sessions a spey caster and more seasoned angler. You'll gain confidence in the swung fly for winter steelhead, wherever they may take you.

You'll spend three days floating the Smith River in one of the wildest corners in California. The Smith is host to some big, broad, classic, bouldery runs and glassy tail-outs perfect for chasing some of the biggest winter steelhead in California. These fresh run winter steelhead are beginning to show this time of year and what better opportunity to test new skills and become a better winter steelhead angler.

Lodging:

You'll stay three nights on the banks of the South Fork Smith River at Rock Creek Ranch.

Rock Creek Ranch has been run by Smith River Alliance since 2002. The main house at Rock Creek Ranch has three bedrooms and two baths. The large living room, the gathering place, comfortably accommodates our group in a casual atmosphere and is heated by a wood-burning stove.

The Jefferson Spey Sessions are limited to six anglers to ensure quality one on one instruction.

December 2-4, 2016

Location

  • Smith River
  • Rock Creek Ranch, Hiouchi, CA

Cost

  • $1795
  • Includes three nights of lodging, all meals while you're there, and guiding/instruction

At the Jefferson Spey Sessions, you'll learn

  • How to execute all key Skagit casts, both river right and left
  • What equipment works best for you and the rivers you fish
  • How to swing flies through different water types
  • How to choose the right fly for different river conditions
  • How to read steelhead holding water, and more

What to bring

  • 2016 California fishing license and steelhead report card
  • waders, boots, warm layering and rain jacket
  • personal fishing gear (we will have rods/reels/lines for use as well)
  • BYOB

To reserve a spot or for more info, contact:

  • Jason Hartwick, speybum@gmail.com
  • Rich Zellman, steelheadwater@gmail.com

Hope to see you there!

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