Have you ever wanted to just throw in the towel on steelhead fishing California’s crowded coastal rivers? I myself have certainly struggled with this very thought. As a life long steelhead junkie the sight of drift boats and bank anglers racing around, clogging up the entire river systems. Let’s just say it’s not as serene as it once was. At times it can be down right frustrating to say the least. Showing up to fishing spots you used to find solitude and serenity, now find folks already camping on your spot, or walking down on you when you’re fishing a hole. Yes, times have changed for sure. The struggle to find a hidden steelhead fishing spot is real. So also is giving up the addiction these unique and amazing sea run rainbow trout provide to anglers. So we as “trout junkies” carry on in search of the elusive secret spots.

I caught my first North Coast steelhead before the age of ten. Casting roe from the banks of the Russian River near Healdsburg, Ca. On a family ranch. The overwhelming feeling of accomplishment outweighed the frozen fingertips and numb feet. This event set in motion the life long quest to catch a steelhead on every California river in which steelhead swam. Now at fourty five years old my pace has slowed down considerably. However during the years spent steelhead fishing between then and now my travels have taken me to all of California’s popular coastal river systems. As well as many creeks and tributaries vastly unknown to many steelhead anglers. Somewhere around a half dozen coastal streams left remain on my list.

In today's time there isn't much that is sacred. In my travels through the North Coast redwoods in search of quiet secluded fishing spots has taught me this. It seams in todays technological times anglers find even the most remote fishing spots. My conclusion! There are just more steelhead angler out there. Understandably so considering we live in a state with over forty million other people. Resulting in significantly more fishing pressure then during the early days of my fishing career. Over the years I have found a few places still mostly unknown to the masses of steelhead anglers. I will be sharing one of those locations with you now. Why you might ask why? For two reason actually. The first reason being. Other steelhead addicts can experience a steelhead fishing destination here in NorCal that exhibits a river system still primarily unaffected by civilizations advancements. No dams, no water diversion, very limited public access, by boat or by bank, no internet, no cell service, and for the most part, no people! Deep in the cuts of the Emerald Triangle a healthy, remote steelhead tributary carries on its legacy with almost zero outside influences by new aged problems. Where is this hidden gem? We’ll get there, but first the second reason I am giving up such a location. My second reason is this. In my travels to this particular location, I had a rough road to pave with the few locals of the area. That consider this fishery their home water. As it turns out these are great folks once respect is earned. Not such great folks if respect is left behind. As is the case in too many circumstances these days. After a few years of run ins and a handful of casual streamside conversations with the like-minded locals. A light weight friendship started to develop. If you know anything about localism, then you know most everyone living in the very remote areas of Northern Californias coastal mountain ranges. Are not always welcoming to outsiders. Typically these people live a isolated lifestyle for a reason. They like to be left alone. With this said, you will also know once you get to know these folks they will give you the shirt off their back, offer up their homes, always be willing to feed you or quench your thirst….you get my point. However distant or different the lives of us living in the populated areas of California are, from the locals living isolated and detached from the daily ongoings and rat races of the mainstream society. In the end we all share common ground on the water. This year I was propositioned by my friends with their intent to open and operate a full service guiding operation on their remote river system. To which I gave my blessing. Of course offering to help anyway possible if this was their intent. Hence my second reason for giving exposure to this fishery that I carefully kept to myself since I had discovered it. Being a professional fishing guide myself I explained what it would take to legally open a full service guiding operation in their area. Over the past six months my friends took care of the legal requirements for their new business venture. Acquiring CDFW guide licenses, bond and liability insurance requirements, forest service permits for launching their drift boats, as well as making sure lodging and other accommodations were made for incoming clients. Making sure all this was completed by January 1, 2024. The unofficial start to the guided steelhead fishing season here on the West Coast.

The South Fork of the Trinity River, a tributary of the famous Klamath River, is the river system I’m referring to in this blog. Where exactly do these fully guided steelhead fishing trips take place on the South Fork Trinity River (SFT)? In the beautiful and remote Hyampom Valley of Trinity County. “Hyam-what”? Im certain not many if any of you readers have even heard of the comunity of Hyampom, Ca. Which is understandable considering it’s size and very remote location. There isn’t really much of a reason for just anyone to wander into this valley, and like I said before outsiders are typically shunned by the whole localism thing. It’s a hidden gem in the coastal mountain range of Northern California. When driving into this location you’ll approach the Hyampom Valley from above. Descending from either one of the two mountain roads that lead to this special place. Providing a spectacular overview of the valley in it’s entirty. As well as a birds eye view of the fishery you will be embarking on. The SFT winds it’s way through the center of the Hyampom Valley. Where it is joined by several key spawning tributaries used by the 100% wild California steelhead that call this river system home. This stretch of the SFT also offers migrating steelhead which will spawn much farther up the river system, a much needed place to rest before they carry on their migration. Let me point out that on either side of the Hyampom Valley the SFT is a angry river system. Made up of mostly class four and class five rapids as it descends through huge bolder filled gorges on its way to meet the main stem Trinity River near Willow Creek, Ca. Just another reason these big, wild, coastal steelhead like the flat waters and gravel bars of the Hyampom Valley. You are likely to be the only boat fishing these waters on your guided fishing trip. The steelhead are as worthy in size and fight as any steelhead you will find on the West Coast. These locals have each landed the twenty pound wild unicorns we as steelhead anglers are looking to achieve as the milestone for the sport. These SFT steelhead can arrive either “dime bright, or “rosy”. Depending on the amount of rainfall received prior to the new year. This particular run of steelhead has only been minimally affected by the three year severe drought California just went through. There is plenty of water in the SFT as it primarily comes from the North Yolla Bolly wilderness. The rest of its waters are gathered from South Fork Mountain on its West side. The SFT water tends to run emerald green to crystal clear as flows drop between rain storms. Most of this rivers watershed comes from higher elevation mountains in the area. Keeping it from “blowing out” or getting muddy when pacific rainstorms come through Northern California. Another big benefit of this fishery. Private drift boat launches, and a special USFS (US Forest Service) permit to guide on these waters keeps outsiders at bay. Ensuring you won’t be sharing these steelhead waters with any other guide boats on your fishing trip. More fish for you right? Experiencing this fishery will leave you wanting to return for more. I can assure you of this as I visit this location myself several times every year as a angler, not as a fishing guide. I personally enjoy the remoteness and serenity this place provides. Along with the quality of its sea run rainbows.

The Patton family has been in the Hyampom area for as long as it has been the Hyampom area. Their knowledge of the area and its fishery are unrivaled. Father Sean, and son Eli both have extensive knowledge and time drift boating the valley, and are very successful doing so. Pulling plugs like Yakima Bait Company “mag lips” is their go to method for angling. A very successful technique used on almost all steelhead waters. “Side drifting” and “bobber dogging” are also frequently used techniques when the time calls. Although the tackle is not provided for fly fisherman. The father and son duo are more then happy to facilitate the drift boating. Allowing for fly fisherman to fish their tackle and techniques at their request. Always willing to stop and pull over on any of the private land throughout the drift for bank fishing opportunities.

If you’re looking to try out some new steelhead waters I highly recommend giving this fishery a look. The Patton’s are stand up folks who are very easy to talk to. If you would like more information, availability, lodging, or pricing. Feel free to reach out to Sean Patton on his cell phone (530) 628-4505, or in the evenings on his landline (530) 739-2514. Sean is taking reservations for the entire steelhead season January 1, 2024 - March 31, 2024. Give him a call and get on the books. You won’t regret this opportunity to fish one of the Emerald Triangle’s hidden gems. Tight Lines…

Mike's Fishing Guide Service for Sacramento River fishing targeting King Salmon, Striped Bass, White Sturgeon, American Shad and Rainbow Trout. The Best Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Guide and Striped Bass Fishing Guide on the Sacramento River.