Branching Out

I know it's been awhile and frankly, it's been a tough summer. The Blue Creek closure and high water temps have killed the summer steelhead fishing on the Klamath and I have not been running trips on this system yet. Instead, I have spent time on the ocean with a few buddies and local charter captains learning the ocean game to become relief captain for them. Thanks to Curt Wilson on the Windrose (Trinidad), Tony Sepulveda of the Shellback (Eureka), and Matt Dallum of North...wind Charters (Eureka). I figured in this time of drought and regulation change, it would be a good idea to diversify a bit. If any of you are interested in an ocean charter, let me know and I'll put you in contact with any of the above captains.

While I know the summer steelhead fishing doesn't seem worthwhile, a water cool down will trigger some good fishing to be had. Also, there has been great numbers of salmon in tidewater. So there is some current fishing opportunity on the Klamath. I will begin running some trips later this week and I will go into them prepared to fish both tidewater and upriver for steelhead. I will let you know how these trips go.

Speaking of Salmon, I have space for the fall run in Late August through October. I know there is a lot of doom and gloom surrounding the drought, but we are forecasted to have a large run of salmon on the Klamath system. If the numbers being seen in tidewater are any indication, the prediction seems like it should be accurate. Remember, we had low conditions last fall too, and the fishing was world class. I expect a great season.

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Blue Creek Closure

Guys, by now you have probably heard about the Blue Creek closure on the Klamath River has approved by the Fish and Game Commission a couple of days ago. This is an unnecessary and ill-conceived closure that was strongly opposed by the California Department Fish and Wildlife and is completely without any basis in scientific data or background information. This is devastating for families like my own and there's no doubt local economies will be hurt by the closure. Also, fo...lks will lose the opportunity to experience this world class fishery they didn't have to travel to distant corners of the globe to experience. That's pretty hard to put a price tag on and we should be angry about this local treasure being taken away from us.

This fishery has been open to sportfishing for the last century and seems to be a healthy one. In my opinion, there is no reason for this closure and until scientific data states otherwise, should remain open. If you'd like to have your voice heard, call the Fish and Game commission at 916-653-4899 or contact your local representatives

Mike Stratman

Steelhead Wrap Up, Striped Bass Begin

I know my reports through the last half of steelhead season were sparse, but that was for a reason.  While I had some great fishing through the end of the season, low water made reporting a no go.  The fisheries just couldn't handle the pressure.  Having a boat or two on your drift was the difference between an epic day and a slow one.  As you can see from the pics, we caught some really beautiful steelhead in March, and it remains my favorite time to chase these trout.  Numbers AND quality! 

After wrapping up steelhead at the end of March, I've just started my Striped Bass season on the Sacramento River.  I'd say we've been off to a good start.  Decent numbers and some really nice fish have been floating around.  If you're looking to catch hard fighting fish that eat really well, I have the 13th, 21st, 29th and 30th open.  Plus, I just got canceled for the 24th and 25th today.  These are great dates, so gimme a call!!

Big Storm is Over, Headed North...

I know it's been awhile and while my posting volume hasn't suggested it, but I've been on the water everyday prior to this large winter storm hitting us.  While I've had some great days, fishing up to that point had been a bit up and down.  Frankly, I've realized that having added pressure due to my own fishing reports simply wasn't doing the people in my boat any favors.

Anyways, I'm headed up north to fish the Smith starting Wednesday.  Before the Smith blew out last week, there was a large slug of new fish in the system, so I expect there to be some fish around. 

While my February is booked solid, I do have space in March.  March is a great time to come fishing with plenty of bites and light crowds.  Don't hesitate to sign up for some late season action!

I also started booking April/Early May Striped Bass trips on the Sacramento and Feather.  I've filled about half of April, so give me a ring soon to get in on this great springtime fishery.

Mike

Rain Coming, Fishing Good

All the rivers are low and clear now and stealth tactics are needed, but if you know where the fish are, there are good days to be had.  If you are coming up to fish, be careful where you float and/or motor.  A careless fisherman can ruin a bite for everyone, so use your head!

It looks like some rain is headed our way for the weekend, so that may change our current pattern of fishing, we'll just have to see if the weatherman is right.  After a wet start to our winter, it's been very dry and we can obviously use the water. 

As you can see, the fish are flawlessly bright and there have been some big ones around.  We lost one after a long fight that looked to be in the high teen range, if not bigger.  I assume I'll be around south until Friday or Saturday, and then I may head back north weather permitting.

Tight Lines,

Mike   

Down South...

I started fishing down south a handful of days ago and fishing has been a little up and down.  Some days we've been hooking a decent number of fish and some days we have to grind for our bites.  It's all a matter of whether or not we run into a good pod of fish.  Not exactly the numbers we hope for overall, but there are still plenty of beautiful fish around to keep things interesting.  

Tight lines, 

Mike  

Winter Steelhead Underway!

I started my winter steelhead season two days after Christmas.  While my first day was a little tough, we've settled in to hooking a handful of steelhead a day for the last few days.  Yesterday, Peter and Allan Maris had their first of three days with me on the Chetco River.   It would be an understatement to say the day started slowly, as we didn't get our first bite until 12:30, but Peter and Allan fished hard and stayed focused the whole time.  When Allan hooked the first fish, it came off and I was bummed to say the least.  However, things started looking up after that, as we put the next 4 fish in the boat, all hatchery keepers.  When it was all said and done, we made 6 casts, hooked 5 fish and put 4 in the box.  Not a bad way to end a tough day.  It honestly wouldn't have happened had Peter and Allan quit fishing hard.

Today, the bites were more spread out, but the results were similar.  We're gonna fish Oregon again tomorrow, but after than I will be changing locales to see if any better options exist.  There should be some outstanding action coming up.

I just got canceled for January 20th, plus I still have January 26th and 27th open.  Give me a call and we'll fill 'em!

Mike

Salmon Season is a Wrap, Steelhead on the Way

Fishing last week on the Smith was pretty tough, as salmon numbers are finally dwindling down.  I was also able to make it out on the Chetco and there were still decent numbers of fish around there, but rain kept the fishability of that river unpredictable.  After our most recent storm, I expect salmon there to be just about done as well. 

Due to a tough outlook on salmon prospects for the remainder of my schedule, I canceled the last few days of my season.  I will be off until just after Christmas, when I start winter steelhead fishing.  In the meantime, I will spend some much needed time with my family for the holidays. 

Fishable numbers of steelhead should be in the rivers after the next rise in river levels.  My winter calendar is getting pretty busy and If you are thinking about booking a day, give me a call sooner than later. 

I hope you all enjoy your holidays and I look forward to seeing you on the river for some winter steel!!

Mike

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thanksgiving is undoubtedly my favorite holiday.  Im sitting on the couch watching football with my son and wife, while the smell of BBQed turkey wafts around the house!!  Life is good and I certainly have a ton to be thankful for, with my family at the top of the list.  I'm also very thankful for all of the wonderful folks that have come fishing with me.   You all make this dream of mine come true and we've made some wonderful friendships and memories along the way.

The fishing since my last post has been pretty typical of what we've seen so far this salmon season.  We had a huge water rise on Saturday and I canceled the trip due to very marginal conditions.  On Sunday, I was on the lower Smith in my powerboat and had one of the unluckiest days of fishing I've ever had.  The fishing itself was very good, with lots of rod folding bites, but for one reason or another, we couldn't keep ahold of them.  We did end up putting a few in the net, but the day had the potential to be epic.  Luck, as it was, turned around for me the next day.  On the Smith, we landed on an huge pile of fish and really put the wood to 'em.  Listening to others reports, we had quite a day as it seemed like most other boats struggled to hook a fish or two.  On Tuesday, the fishing came to Earth for me a bit, as we had 3 bites and put two nice fish in the bag. 

I took Wednesday through Friday off to be with my Family for the holiday, and I'll be back at it on Saturday.  If anyone is interested in some late season Salmon action, I had a cancellation for December 2nd and the 3rd remains open.  I expect there to be some early steelhead to enter into the mix as salmon season winds down.

Mike    

Beautiful Salmon Abound

While there have been some tough days since my last post, we've also seen some spectacular fishing.  The bottom line is there has been plenty of really beautiful salmon around and with the storm that hit us today, I envision more good fishing for the rest of the month. 

Due to the system that rolled through today, I canceled tomorrow as the rivers will become gigantic.  I will be back on the Smith on Sunday, and while it will be a bit on the big side, I expect there to be plenty of new fish around.