The Smith is back to low and clear here on Sunday 2-10. The river came up a foot on Friday night adding a hint of color which helped to improve scores on Saturday to about a "fish per stick" for the guides. Over the past week the river has been low and very clear and despite the tough conditions guides in the know are putting their clients into a few fish. Rain is needed and looks to arrive in the next few days.

The Chetco has been a butter producer with many boats seeing 2 to 5 fish per boat but traffic here does get thick with dozens making the drift from Lobe to the SS hole.

---

Rules for the Smith River
 New rules have been adopted by the Cal F&G commission for the Smith River. Only barbless hooks will be allowed in all reaches of the Smith River. The  Klamath-Trinity Salmon Report Card has been renamed North Coast Salmon Report card and will now be required on the Smith River also. The annual bag limit for  wild trout or steelhead was reduced to zero and no more than five wild Chinook may be kept per year.

The North Coast river low flow closure hotline is 707-822-3164.

---

River Levels:

For river status (low flow closure) updates from Fish and Game please call +1.707.442.4502 for the North coast and +1.707.944.5533 for Central coast streams. Be sure to check out the California Fish and Game regulations before you go. Regulations vary on every river and you need to pay attention to bait and hook restrictions. Due to winter closures on HWYs 5, 101 & 299 we recommend you check Caltrans road conditions as well.
Prime steelhead flows on the Smith river are between 12 and 9 feet. Fish are caught in higher flows by those plucking and even in the low and clear waters below 8.5 feet but prime fishing is always found with a dropping river in the 9 to 12 foot range. No one can predict the best day or conditions but put in a few days in and you will be rewarded. All of our sponsors have room available for the prime January - mid March period. Please call the DFG flow information hotline at 707 822-3164 for additional information.

---