Final Frustrations......

[lee s]

I had promised Susan a trip to the Smith R. for her birthday, which is in December. Finally her "croupe" cleared as did the rivers and we left Monday morning, the 29th. The S. Eel looked like fabulous fly water from Legget to about Benbow Monday. The rest of the system gradually deteriorated to bait water as we proceeded north. The Van Duzen was also in fine shape. It got dark at Susan's Mom's in Eureka. Tuesday AM found us trying to find breakfast after discovering that the breakfast nook in Hiouchi is closed Tue. and Wed. After getting that job done, we proceeded to scout out the river and visit Rowdey Creek Hatchery for our visit to Steve and gleen his recent and local knowledge.......he is ALSO off on Tue. and Wed.! Well, an inspection of the ramps inclined us to think "slow fishing" was in store and some well placed BS with some locals affirmed that assumption. Only witnessed one fish lost at the 199 bridge. At around 2PM we chose to launch and pester the hole at Jed Park.....no bites, no rolls, no wakes, no fish.
Do you see the frustration starting?
Wednesday AM found us watching a pair of fish resting up away from the seals in the submerged grass ( 6'+ tide) next to the ramp at the Ship a Shore place. As we watched a couple small pods came through. Good enough for us! In went the boat and six or so strokes of the wooden motors put us at a good anchor spot. It wasn't too long before more very small pods were observed meandering by with great intent and a bit of speed.
Did I mention the seals?
As we were pestering we noticed fish moving just below the "honeymoon suites". Another few strokes of the sticks put us in the right spot for tossing and it was observed that this seemed to be a "collection" spot....at least for this tide. Pods of 15-25 were seen meandering back and forth in about a 200' area of a small indentation of the shoreline.
Well......big and small, bright and dark, fast and slow, high and low were ALL tried. Results: one grab for Susan and one grab for Lee and at tide change....fish gone. All this could have been reached from our balcony if we just had room for a backcast.
I believe no finer "frustration" is available. And what better way to exit 2014?
Thursday's trip back showed us GREAT water conditions at Redwood Creek, Klamath, Little R., and the Mad R.
Snooping the Mad for a couple PM hours seemed to evidence like conditions as the Smith.....FEW fish in.
Maybe December and November were always "start-up" runs.....else we would be eating holiday steelhead instead of turkey and ham!
Happy New Year ALL!


.....lee s. and Susan

[herefishy]

Thanks for the report - it's all fun, right?