The river dropped into shape last weekend and has been fishable since

Smith River - Smith River, CA (Del Norte County)


by Kenny Priest
1-1-2026
Website

The river dropped into shape last weekend and has been fishable since. A few fish were caught each day by the plunkers as well as the boats drifting from the forks down. It was just starting to rise slowly Thursday, and it’s predicted to peak at 10.6 feet on the Jed Smith gauge early Friday. With a break in the rain, it should be driftable by mid-day Friday. By Saturday its forecast for a much steeper rise, reaching 14.5 feet Sunday afternoon. Monday looks like a good day for plunking, and by Tuesday it should be in great shape to drift. The 10-day forecast has the river hovering between 11 and 12 feet from Tuesday through next weekend.


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