Hundreds of big, bright fall king salmon are stacking up in the tidewater of the lower Smith River. The first major fall rain is expected to hit the coast tonight, and continue through the weekend, setting the stage for what should be some of the best fishing of the season beginning Monday.

An inch of rain is expected in the next 24 hours, followed by a few more inches Friday night and Saturday. That will give fishing on the Smith a major boost.

Even before this rain, we have been getting bright salmon.

We've been trolling at the Sand Hole using plug-cut herring before daylight, then trolling plugs, following by anchoring and fishing eggs and sand shrimp.

Once the river rises, we'll be pulling sardine-wrapped plugs and back-bouncing roe. (I just put up several quarts of eggs from fish this past week).

The Smith River will open above the mouth of Rowdy Creek once the flows top 400 cfs. THat should happen Sunday.

Call 206-388-8988 or visit www.wildriversfishing.com for more information.

Fish Species: King Salmon
Bait Used: Roe cured in Pautzke's Fire Cure, plugf-cut herring
Tackle Used: Size 2/0 Lazer Sharp hooks, Wright & McGill salmon rods
Method Used: trolling, anchor fishing
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Tom from Sonoma with a bright king caught with guide Andy Martin of www.wildriversfishing.com
Tom from Sonoma with a bright king caught with guide Andy Martin of www.wildriversfishing.com


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About The Author: Captain Andy Martin

Company: Wild Rivers Fishing Oregon and Alaska

Area Reporting: Oregon, Alaska

Bio: Andy Martin is a well-known Oregon and Alaska fishing guide and charter boat captain. He targets trophy halibut in Alaska, as well as six-fish-per-person limits of silver salmon. In Oregon, he catches some of the biggest salmon in the Northwest, including trophy king salmon over 60 pounds. Oregon salmon and steelhead trips are done out of clean, heated jet boats and drift boats on the Rogue and Chetco rivers. Andy also is a prolific outdoor writer, regular contributing to Fish Alaska, Salmon Trout Steelheader, Saltwater Sportsman, Game & Fish, Oregon Hunter, California Sportsman, Northwest Sportsman and ESPN Outdoors.

206-388-8988
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain Andy Martin