Smallmouth???

[flyfishnevada]

Hey everyone. Haven't been fishing much of late. Had to travel to Oregon several times over the last few months to move my father in law to an assisted living facility. The trips left me physically and mentally exhausted. Nothing like driving 11 hours in driving rain and snow.

Anyway, the worst is past and I'm looking forward to 2011. I've never caught a smallmouth and want to plan a trip. I'm not real sure of where to go. Since I'm up north near Reno I prefer that general area, but I'm willing to travel a ways too. Obviously, I'm looking to catch them on a fly rod. I'd take small and stupid over big and wily. Any ideas?

[Rockstar Fisherman]

My Dad's and I's steelhead/salmon guide in Oregon did some smallmouth fishing when he had to make it a full time job for a few years after they closed down his lumber mill. From what I hear the Umqua is freakin awesome for smallmouth fishin in the summer.

Dunno if this helps but it's all I know.

[NorcalBob]

Don't know about the Reno area, but most all west slope sierra drainages have smallmouth in the low elevation reaches in the Central Valley. How far you willing to drive? The Merced River from Briceburg downstream is a fantastic smallie river and you could fish it on a trip to Yosemite NP.

[flyfishnevada]

I'll drive a ways. Both those sound like good ideas. I'm gonna be spending some time in Oregon due to the FIL thing. the friend's house were staying at is across the highway from Bandon Dunes, so I'm gonna golf next time I go. Maybe on another trip I'll try the Umpqua, though i hope were done cleaning up his place by summer.

[jazz on the fly]

This guy was a speaker at one of meetings for the Orange County Fly Fishing Club and he specializes in fly fishing for smallies. I copied the following from a blog where I found more info on him. Hopefully this info is still good. If it's not let me know and I can contact someone in my club that may have more up to date info.

High Plains Drifters

Steve Cooper works for PG&E and schedules his vacation time to do his guiding in Washington and Oregon when the conditions are best. He sets up tent camps in remote destinations and provides a camp kitchen and a couple of rafts as well as getting his clients into fish. He also does slide show presentations at Fly Fishing Clubs here in California.

Grande Ronde River - Steve guides on the Grande Ronde that flows through the high plains of Oregon and Washington. He guides the remote roadless section from Highway 129 to the confluence of the Snake River. The two day float covers a 36 mile stretch of the river that offers stunning scenery, uncrowded blue-ribbon water and fishing for small mouth bass. You can expect to fish for quality Small Mouth Bass from one to three pounds with opportunities for trophy fish up to six pounds.

Owyhee River - Steve also guides on the Owyhee River which is located in the badlands of eastern Oregon. The river is a tailwater fishery that flows from Owyhee Lake. The river is a bug factory and grows an amazing number of large Brown Trout. Steve sets up river side camps and will show you how to hook up with these trophy browns.

You can contact Steve Cooper and "High Plains Drifters" and get more information or custom design a trip at;

High Plains Drifters
3047 Sleepy Hollow Drive.
Stockton, CA 95209
209-956-1032
email: repoc3@sbcglobal.net

[KRoberts1]

I fished with a excellent guide, Matt Shore, of Medford, OR that does multiple day float trips on the John Day. From what I gather, the trips are fantastic. Do a google search for him, if more info desired.

keith

[briansII]

I fished with a excellent guide, Matt Shore, of Medford, OR that does multiple day float trips on the John Day. From what I gather, the trips are fantastic. Do a google search for him, if more info desired.

keith

Ditto. Heard great things about the John Day. Umpqua too. At one point, we were planning our yearly trip to do a smallmouth float in Or. Had talked to a couple guides from the area, and they said the action can be hot, all day long. We never did go, but it's on the bucket list.

For your location, I think there are smallies in Boca.

briansII