California’s only salmon season is well underway. With only a short 30 - 45 day window of opportunity for anglers to catch a California King Salmon. So we didn’t waist anytime getting right into the action. Arriving on site in conjunction with September’s full moon cycle. The first week and a half kicked off with mixed results. The first couple days we struggled to find consistent salmon fishing in the estuary. As the numbers of arriving king salmon just hadn’t shown up yet. Basically it was a slower start but relatively strong finish scenerio. All signs would eventually indicate a healthy run of Fall Chinook Salmon will be returning to California’s Smith River this season.

Like most coastal river systems the Smith River saw an influx of salmon arriving at the mouth of the river during this months full moon phase. Instinctually arriving to coincide with the months largest Pacific Ocean tides, brought on by the full moon. Which gain coastal king salmon access to their river system prior to any significant rainfall. Salmon congregate around the mouth of the river to start acclimating to the rivers fresh water, in preparation to spawn in the coming months. As the salmon arrive they will enter the fresh water of the river’s estuary, then return to the ocean for some time, then back in again. This exchange takes place sometime throughout a tide cycle. Repeating itself until the chinooks are ready to live the rest of their days in fresh water. This is part of the acclimation period, and typically carries on until rainfall arrives and the acclimated king salmon charge up the river system to their spawning grounds. Let it be noted this is a generalization and some salmon will start slowly heading up the river prior to the rainfall which signals the majority of arriving salmon. Smaller groups of ambitious kings will creep up the lower river at night under the cover of darkness. Making them feel less vulnerable to predators.

The first week of fishing did see some great fishing after getting off to a somewhat slow start. Only landing one nine pound Silver (Coho) Salmon on the first day out. Things quickly changed as the full moon tides brought scores of fresh king salmon to the estuary. With every tide change came new opportunities. Big Chinook Salmon started hitting the deck mid last week. The highlight of the season so far came from Carson Tharp form Roseville, Ca. Who landed a true Smith River Tyee (40 pound king salmon). Also Carson’s PB king salmon. Showing the real potential the Smith River has for giant king salmon. The afternoon prior to Carson’s behemoth king salmon two opportunities at the same class of giant kings salmon were lost. The first lost opportunity came during the strong outgoing tide. A salmon that appeared to be nearly four foot long buried the 10’ 6” Buzz Ramsey Douglas 360 trolling rod. After several big head shakes it headed back to the Pacific Ocean. It never looked back. Taking all but ten feet of the Berkeley Power-Pro from the reel. Leaving us feeling sick and frustrated. We never even had a chance at that lifetime fishing achievement. To make matters worse less ten minutes later one of our rods was again buried in the rod holder. A short battle ensued. This king was never seen. It broke free from the 40lb Maxima leader that held the bait behind the 360 Pro-Troll flasher. Again disappointed reared its ugly head. Needless to say some very large chinook salmon are showing their presence early in the 2024 salmon season.

Bank anglers have been finding daily success casting “Cleo’s” (spoon). This is the preferred method here on the Smith River for “bankies” and it works! The bank fisherman who are made up of mostly locals, line the North bank at the mouth of the Smith River every morning and evening. Casting their Little Cleo’s. Every day is different here, actually every tide is different here. Some days everyone is hooking up. Other days only a few salmon get hooked from the bank. However on most days at least a handful of chinook salmon get caught and drug up on the shores of the Smith River estuary.

If you are considering visiting the Smith River estuary for an early start to the 2024 salmon season. You may consider checking out a few places that make this experience easier on the wallet and more convenient and practical for the salmon angler.

LODGING AND BOAT LAUNCH FACILITIES- The XAA-WAN’-K’WVT Village and Resort is the place to stay if you are intending to spend a few days fishing the Smith River Estuary this salmon season. This resort is very reasonably priced and puts you at ground zero for salmon fishing. The majority of productive salmon fishing in the estuary takes place literally right out of their back door. This resort has Trailer and RV hook-ups for the DIY camper. As well as a series of river view cottages that overlook the bay but wont break your bank account. They also have the only boat launch available for putting a fishing boat in the bay (this is clutch). The office staff is super friendly and willing to answer any questions, make reservations, sell your group fishing licenses and North Coast salmon report cards (required in possession while fishing for salmon on the Smith River), and offer up any other information you may need while staying in the area. The management runs a tight ship and see’s to it all your belonging are safe and your experience while staying here are pleasant and without any hiccups. I recommend giving this place a look before searching for all these accommodations separately.

Overall the Smith River has been shaping up to have an outstanding salmon season. This past week had shown us there are plenty of king salmon already entering the mouth of the Smith River. This should only increase in the days and weeks to come. Reaching its peak just prior to the October full moon. These California kings are simply waiting for rainfall to raise the Smith River and gain them access to their ancestral spawning grounds. At this point the estuary will empty out as the king salmon quickly vacate the tide water and head directly into the fresh water of the Smith River. This 2024 salmon season has already shown the potential to catch the salmon of a lifetime. Like Carson’s 40 pound king, and the two others that ate up the tackle. The near by Chetco River has already produced a Goliath King weighing 52 pounds. There are trophy king salmon that swim up these rivers every season. Getting in front of one is the challenge. Landing it is a whole other story.

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.