Redwood Coast Fishing

Redwood Coast Fishing provides epic fishing trips in Northern California & Southern Oregon.

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I'm Back.

I'm Back!

I know I haven't posted here in ages.  My laptop has been down for months now and updating this site on my phone has not been a real practical option.  Instead, i've been doing all my reports recently on my Facebook site.  However, I've got all that taken care of and I'll now be able to update on this website as well, as I know some of you aren't on Facebook (I'm talking to you, Carl Casale, lol!).  However, I will be posting more pics on Facebook as this blog site will not let me post galleries from my mobile devices which is what I'm using to do reports.

Currently, after a slow start to winter steelhead, things have picked up in the last week or so.  However, we are getting pounded with another storm that will take us out of action for the next couple of days.  I expect good fishing after the dust settles.

 

Mike

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Striper Season done, Summer Steelhead Up next...

Well, you guys didn't see any Striper updates here as both my computer and camera took a dump on me.  If ya wanna backtrack and check it out, take a look at my Facebook page, Redwood Coast Fishing with Mike Stratman.

As many of you know, the Blue Creek stretch was closed on the Klamath last year, making summer steelhead fishing very difficult to plan for.  Well this year, Fish and Wildlife have opened most of that stretch of river back up.  That means we'll be back out there starting in early July and I will be taking advanced bookings.  This really is the most underrated fishery of the year, with lots of hard fighting, bright steelhead, uncrowded conditions, and beautiful weather.  Give me a call soon to get the best dates, they will fill fast.  The steelhead fishing will start to taper about the middle of August and at this point the salmon should start filling in the river.....  

The pics above are from past summer steelhead seasons, except for the one with my son, Jackson, holding a spring salmon.  We caught that last weekend.  There will be springers in the Klamath from now till the end of June.  I don't do a ton of trips this time of year as I take a little time off to hang out with my family and vacation.  However If you would like to book a trip for the tastiest salmon of the year, give me a call and I'll see if I can make it work.

 

Wet Weather Keeps Us Off the Rivers

It's been awhile since an update. However, February was a very busy month. The majority of our fishing has been up north in the Smith and Chetco where fishing has been mostly solid. I did get to spend a few days on the Eel but fishing was surprisingly tough here. February is usually a lights out time to fish this system, so the slow fishing was a bit of a surprise.

Heavy rain started again last weekend and looks to continue at least through this weekend. I'll head up north when the weather settles down and there should be a ton of post spawn steelhead and some late season chromers waiting.

Steelhead aside, the rain we've had in March should lead to an outstanding Striped Bass season in April.  I still have some space, so shoot me a line if you'd like a day.

Mike

Winter Steelhead Off to a Good Start

I've been fishing on the Smith/Chetco systems since just after Christmas.  While there have been a couple of tough days, fishing on the whole has been pretty good.  Unlike the last few winters, our weather has been more typical of Januarys on the North Coast with rain on a nearly daily basis.  As long as this pattern continues, I expect to remain fishing on either the Smith or Chetco. 

Rain Starts, Good Fishing Begins.

After the weather system that arrived early this week, rivers up north rose and we had 3 days of pretty productive fishing.  Unfortunately, there wasn't enough water to sustain good fishing any longer.  However there is a series of storms predicted to begin on Saturday which should kick off some very productive and extended action on the Smith and Chetco Rivers.  

October a Wrap, Waiting For Rain...

I've been sequestered in the Klamath mountains fishing the Klamath and Trinity Rivers for almost a month now.  Reports were not possible due to a lack of internet access.  Fishing was pretty decent for the most part, and it was nice to get in the driftboat and be on some uncrowded water.   Thanks to everyone who came up to fish with me for the month.  It's easy to understand why October is one of the most popular trips I do.  Good fishing, breathtaking scenery and lonely rivers is a great combination.

I'm back at home now and taking a quick break with my family to see good friends get married down south.  I start my next season on the Smith and Chetco on the November 4th, but we need it to rain before we start fishing up north.  If it doesn't rain, there are backup options.  The Klamath system has good numbers of fish and if it doesn't rain enough up north to set fishing off, this is a great fallback plan.  There is also the potential of fishing a couple of different tidewaters.  Ill throw up a report after I begin fishing again and let you know what's happening.

Mike   

Beautiful Fish Around, but Fishing Remains Tough

We are catching beautiful chrome salmon daily, but fishing remains very up and down.  One day we will catch limits or near limits and the next you have to scratch for 2 or 3 fish...  That's the way this year has been for the most part.  My last day on the lower River will be the 29th and then I pack up the trailer and get in the driftboat for Trinity and Middle Klamath action.  I'm looking forward to getting back in the driftboat for one of my favorite times of year!  Good luck and tight lines.

Mike

Fishing Up and Down, But Signs Point to A Banner Week...

With elevated river flows and cool water temperatures, fish have been moving very quickly through the system.  This has lead to day to day, up and down fishing.  One day they are stacked in a certain stretch of the river, while the next they are difficult to locate.  However, the last two days have been very good. 

A few developments have me thinking the next few weeks should be very good and consistency to improve.  First, the mouth snag fishery quota has been met, so there wont be fish taken there.  In addition the commercial gillnet fishery is close to closing as well.  Condition wise, flows will be dropping from Lewiston which will lead the fish to slow down and become more accessible to catch. 

I have a couple of seats open for the 22nd and the 23rd and 29th are open.  If you'd like to get ahold of me, the best way is shooting me a text at 707-601-8757 as phone and internet service is spotty in Klamath..... 

Klamath Salmon Underway

I know it's been awhile, but life has been crazy and busy.  Plus, internet access is an issue in Klamath where I stay. 

While the month started off slowly, the river has begun to fill with salmon this week.  A one day release of water from the Trinity River has reached the lower river today and a cancelation has given me a day off.  With the pulse of water arriving and the building number of salmon already in the river, I expect next week to fish very well.  I have the 16th and 17th open and a few open seats on the 15th, so give us a call!!

Finally, A Fishing Report!!

Good numbers of summer steelhead have entered the Klamath River with the recent cool weather and water temps.  Along with huge numbers of half pounders, there have also been a bunch of adult steelhead around to play with as well.  After the last week of river fishing, I switch back to the ocean for most of this week.  I do have Wednesday open to fish the river if anyone is interested, though.  In addition, I have space for the following week, so give me a call while this action is still on tap!

Mike