smith-river

Smith River is a river in California.

It ranks #13 among the 17 waters of California in the registry, and is of national prominence.

Fished for steelhead and salmon.

Species: steelhead and chinook salmon.

USGS GNIS record: 266887.

It shares a watercourse with Klamath River, California.

Stretches: Jedediah Smith State Park.

Bailey Hole (hole). It is fishable. Lower river; 68-lb king caught 1988.

Highway 101 Bridge (access). It is fishable. Pool just above it produced the state-record steelhead (1976); river leaves the redwoods below it.

It is upstream of Rowdy Creek.

It is downstream of Hiouchi.

The Forks (confluence). It is fishable. South and Middle Forks merge; start of prime 8-mile stretch.

It is upstream of Hiouchi.

Cattle Crossing (hole). It is fishable and launchable. Tidewater hole; source also writes Cattle Crossing Hole. Also called Cattle Crossing Hole.

Hiouchi (access). It is fishable. About eight miles upstream of the Highway 101 bridge.

It is upstream of Highway 101 Bridge.

It is downstream of The Forks.

Piling Hole (hole). It is fishable and launchable. Tidewater hole fished from boats/prams.

Redwood Pools (hole). It is fishable. Gravel bars suited to Spey casting, near Jed Smith SP.

It is on the stretch Jedediah Smith State Park.

Rowdy Creek (confluence). It is fishable. Last major tributary; Rowdy Creek Hatchery.

It is downstream of Highway 101 Bridge.

Sand Hole (hole). It is fishable and launchable. Tidewater hole.

Sourced from 1 independent fly site.

Sources: cacreeks.com, CalFlyFisher and CalFlyFisher (2).

Access, closures and rules change; check with the state agency before you go.