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Trinity
River Fishing Report
Gift Certificates Available
call or email for details. (530) 623-2112
click here to check river flows

4/23/2008
Hello Anglers
The Trinity River will have a salmon season this year.
The flow schedule has been posted, and we will start our season in mid June. As
it looks the Trinity River and Klamath River will have the only salmon season in the state. We can expect our open dates to
fill up fast, and the river to be more crowded than usual. If your thinking of salmon fishing this summer book early. Pictured
above is a nice fat Springer caught and released last July here on the trinity.
Fish on! Steve




2/28/2008
Surprisingly last week we did get in a great trip here
on the Trinity River. Rick one of my regulars landed 7 adults, 3 of which were wild 5 of the 7 were fresh. After that I headed to the north coast to fish some coastal rivers with a buddy for the rest of the week.
We did catch some fish but overall it was slow. Upon my return home the Trinity
was blown out here in Junction City, but today it is back in shape.
Fish On !
Steve

2/18/2008
We have just about finished our steelhead season here on
the Trinity River. There are still some fresh fish to be caught but not many, as most of our fish caught have been downers.
We will be doing some trips targeting the Brown Trout, but for the most part we will be off the river until mid June when
we start our spring salmon season. Look for current reports to begin in June when we get back on the river. Until then I want
to thank everyone that fished with us this season, and we look forward to fishing with you in the future.
Fish On!
Steve






2/12/2008
Steelhead fishing here on the Trinity River is still good.
We have had warm sunny days melting the snow slowly keeping the river a nice shade of green. John and Shannon have been fishing
up river in Lewiston catching fish every day they are out. I have been down river near Douglas City looking for a few fresher
fish. That has worked great every day except yesterday as we went 0 for 2 on steelies, but we did land a nice brown. We will
keep booking steelhead trips here on the Trinity until we are no longer catching fresh fish, that should be around mid
march weather permitting. The brown trout are doing so well here on the Trinity that we will be doing trips this spring specifically
targeting brown trout with sinking lines and streamers.
I’ve also added a picture of our new baby horse “Schendame”
born Thursday morning. Both mare and foal are doing fine.
Fish On!
Steve






2/2/2008
Fishing is good here on the Trinity River. All of our trips have caught fish this week. Our average is about 12 hookups
a day. But wednesday with a single fly fisherman we had over 20 fished hooked and 11 landed. Today we had 2 boats on the river,
Erics boat landed 6, and my boat landed 5. We had heavy snow making fishing, launching, and loading very difficult
today. I had to chain up my 4X4 truck and drag the boat up the river bank to get it loaded. Then I had to chain
up the trailer to get home.
Fish On!
Steve
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1/25/2008
This week we started fishing in Junction City catching fish every day except wednesday. Thursday our clients didnt
make it because of the snow. So five of us guides hit the upper river and had a great day. We hooked and landed a bunch and
had the river to ourselves. This weekend and into next week the snow levels are going to be low. The river should stay in
shape but will the hiway be clear is the question. Chain requirements are common this time of year. Make sure you have them
if your headed this way.
Fish On!
Steve
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1/18/2008
This week we fly fished the upper river with good results. Most of the fish we caught have been good brite
fish, although we have caught a couple downrunners. Im going to move down river a ways and try for some fresher fish tomorrow.
The weather patern is back to clear and cold with ice in the guides most mornings, and warm sunshine in the afternoons.
Fish on!
Steve
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1/6/2008
We have snow on the ground here in Junction City and the river has been blown out for three days. We will have to fish
Lewiston before we can get back on the river down here.
Heres a couple pics from last week just before this storm hit.
Fish on!
Steve
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12/29/2007
The Trinity River is still producing some great fish for
us. This last week we had boats fishing from Lewiston to Junction City, with all boats catching steelhead. The crowds are gone and the fishing is great. Wednesday I had Nick, a first time steelheader catch a huge
hatchery hen. We took some photos with Nick and his fish then let her go.
We have had rain and snow this week, but the river is still
clear and fishing well. The forecast calls for more of the same with a few clear days mixed in. This weather has steelhead
written all over it. The flies are
still working better than bait for my boat. But with a little color to the water that could change.
We have guides available if anyone wants to get in a winter
steelhead trip.
Fish on!
Steve
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12/22/2007
Merry Christmas !
The Trinity River fished great this last week. The forecast called for a very wet storm, well the storm was not
as wet as expected, and the upper river was is great shape. We have been doing best fishing flys either with fly
rods or spinning rods and floats. Big John has been fishing Lewiston and I have been fishing in Douglas City. Were
still hooking over 10 steelhead per boat per day, with some days hooking over 20.
Fish on and happy holidays
Steve
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12/18/2007
We have had some computer problems with emails this week.
Today we have rain, more rain and snow are in the forecast for the rest of the week. We will go up river to fish if
the river blows out here in Junction City.
I have added the link for the flows at the top of this page.
Fish On !
Steve
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12/15/2007
Fishing here on the Trinity river is good. We have been hooking 5 to 12 adult steelhead a day. The fish have
spread out into the upper river, as have the fishermen. The weather has been cold, with temps in the low 20's in the
mornings. Things should warm up this week, as rain is in the forecast.
See you on the river.
Steve
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11/28/2007
The last month has been great fishing here on the Trinity. The fall salmon did finally show up in big numbers as
predicted, they were just a month and a half late. We didnt target them, but caught quite a few while fly fishing for steelhead.
The steelhead fishing has been good as it can get. The only draw back has been all the crowds. Some days its hard to find
water to fish. Well maybe 2 draw backs, its been freezing cold here. The bite just turns off when its that cold. Yesterday
we had no frost in the morning and the bite was back on.
looks like we might have some rain in next weeks forecast. That would help the fishing here and maybe open up some coastal rivers.
We have a few open dates for december.
Fish on
Steve
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10/21/2007
Sorry for the lack of reports, we have been steelhead fishing from daylight to dark everyday. The fishing is fantastic
if you can find some water to fish. Most days were hooking 20 or more fish. Fly fishing with indicators has been the most
effective method for us.
We are booked up until the last week of November, but the fishing should remain great through December.
Fish on !
Steve
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9/27/2007
The big schools of king salmon have not entered the Klamath River due to a big mound of sand at the mouth. The sand will
clear with the first big flow this winter, until then the fish are getting in a few at a time. There are a few fresh salmon
trickling into the upper river but not many. In the last week we have been chasing steelhead with fly gear having good results.
This morning I fished an hour or so and landed 2 nice hatchery steelhead to about 6 lbs.
Fish On !
Steve
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9/19/2007
The fall run king salmon are a couple weeks late getting into the upper river. Earlier this week the indians met there
quota and most of the nets were pulled at the mouth. So the fall fish should have a clear path to get up the river. The water
temps have cooled down, the weather has been almost cold the last couple days. All this along with a full moon next week should
get those fish moving up river.
Today we fished and did well landing over 10 adult salmon, 4 of which were in the 20 lb class. All of these fish were
darker spring run fish. We hooked no steelies today.
Im thinking the fall run fish should be here by the 1st of Oct. so keep your fingers crossed.
fish on!
Steve
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9/8/2007
The few times we have been on the river in the last two weeks we have done well, catching both salmon and steelhead.
Our elk hunting adventure was as good as it gets. Mark a handicapped hunter from Redding, had a bull elk tag for our
local herd. He did great harvesting this monster 8x6 bull at 20 yards. This bull is as big as one of our horses, about 1200
lbs. Im sure this is the biggest bull ever killed in Trinity county.
Im going to hunt opening weekend of rifle deer season, then were back on the river steady until december.
steaks on !
Steve
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8/11/2007
Trinity River salmon fishing has been great. Our springer season averaged 6 to 12 hookups a day with somedays over 20.
Our land to hook ratio was about 50%. Now we are seeing fewer fresh fish moving through so it may be over, but there are still
plenty of fish in most every hole.
The projected 1/2 million fish of the fall run will get here in mid september. Our sept./oct. salmon steelhead combo
trips are filling up fast. If you want to get in on this great fishing call or email to get your date.
I will be off the river for a couple weeks to do some deer hunting in the backcountry and helping an elk hunter with
a bull tag for our local elk herd. I will be posting reports again in mid september.
Thanks to all my clients for the great fishing trips this summer.
Fish on !
Steve
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7/28/2007
Trinity River salmon fishing is going great. In the last week we have caught limits of adult spring salmon every day
with a few steelhead mixed in. Most of these fish have moved up river into Douglas City and steelbridge areas. Reports from
other guides on the river, is the fishing is good on the entire river.
Fish On!
Steve
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7/18/2007
Salmon fishing here on the Trinity River is still tough. The last couple of trips we had 3 hookups each. Last evening
Kelli and I did a short float and she landed a 15 lber, another boat on the same float also had 1 fish.
I drove to the mouth of the Trinity River yesterday morning, stopping and looking for fish at holes along
the road, not seeing many fish. Where are they, and when will they show up is a good question. One that I can't answer. If
no more fish show I will try to reschedual some trips to sept/oct when the projected 1/2 million fall fish show.
Monday was opening day for salmon on the Sac below Red Bluff with reports of 1 to 3 fish per boat.
Good Fishing
Steve
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7/5/2007
Happy 4th of July!
Wednesday a huge school of salmon pushed through Junction City. I was buddie fishing with Jeff and Parrey. The morning
started off kinda slow, but when we found them it was fish on! We had our limits of adults in a couple hours. We even caught
and released a few more just for fun.
That afternoon I rafted the pigeon point run with Kelli and some local boys, thinking we would see more huge schools
moving up. Unfortunatlly we only saw about a dozen fish in a 6 mile float. Hell hole was rather interesting with the stern
frame, lets just say its not advisable.
Word is the indians down river wacked'em in the nets last week, so hopefully we will be into those fish soon.
Fish On!
Steve

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7/1/2007
Salmon fishing here on the Trinity River has been tough. I've had to use every trick I know, and were only averaging
3 hookups a day. The last 2 days my guest did well landing 6 adult salmon and a nice hatchery steelhead. The water is gin
clear with temps that vary from 59 degrees in the morning to 63 degrees in mid day.
The salmon seem to be blasting through our stretch of river and slowing down up river near Douglas City and Steelbridge
in the big holes with shade and cooler water. The restoration work done here in Junction City last year has changed the way
the fish behave, as there is little to no shade on the holes. The reports I've heard is that Lewiston has lots of salmon,
they must have moved through in the high water or at night. Lets hope more fish show up here or I will have to start fishing
up river.
Fish On!
Steve
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6/22/2007
FISH ON!
We have been catching king salmon here on the Trinity River for about 2 weeks. This is my daughter Kelli with her first
springer of the season. Sorry I was sandbagging the reports, but we have been the only boat on the river, and it's been great.
We have our first clients of the season next week, and the fishing should be good. The flows are back down to 500cfs today,
and will stop dropping monday when it reaches 450cfs.
Wednesday I fished the ocean out of Bodega Bay with a couple buddies. We had limits of Kings in about 3 hours up to 15
lbs as did most other boats.
Good fishing
Steve
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6/1/2007
In the last couple weeks we have put over 50 miles on the river looking for spring salmon. The upper river during the
high flows were big waves and no visibility to see fish. Last week we fished from the mouth of the Klamath River to near the
confluence with the Trinity River. We didnt hook any fish, we did see a couple sport anglers with fish and a couple were caught
in the indians nets. Also some fish are being caught at Burnt Ranch and Greys Falls. Historicaly the springers get into
the upper river in mid june, so we still have a couple weeks before the fishing should be good.
We have a new sponsor this year Smith Optics. Smith has a new line of polarized sun glasses with more styles and lense
choices. Quality optics are a Must Have when river fishing. Check them out at http://www.lookgoodseefish.com
As of today the release from Lewiston dam is 1400 cfs, very fishable, we just need some fish.
See you on the river !
Steve
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NOW BOOKING SPRING RUN SALMON FISHING
4/5/2007
Our spring run salmon season will start July 1 this year. The DFG is proposing limits of 2 adult salmon over
22", and 1 salmon under 22" a day. The projected return is over 500,000 salmon to the Trinity system. The flows
will max out in May and by mid June we will be on the river scouting. As it looks now this could be our best season in several
years.
Fish on!
Steve
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2/24/2007
Today was a little better fishing for us here on the Trinity River. Youth overcame old age as Mathew showed his dad how
to catch fish from the back seat. We ended up landing five adults.
Fish on
Steve
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2/17/2007
The Trinity river is still fishing well for us. Today we hooked five and landed two. Most of the fish we are catching
are native winter run fish. They are averaging about 5 lbs, and they are full of fight.
Fish On!
Steve
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12/19/2006
I have open dates after the 1st of the year, there is time for one more Trinity steelie trip this season.
Does this fish we caught yesterday look like the one we caught last saturday? They were about a half mile apart.
Fish On!
Steve
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12/16/2006
The Trinity River is again fishing well after the last big storm. Today it was cold all day, not getting above 40 degrees.
We had ice in the guides all morning. We fished up river finding fish in almost every spot we tried.
Fish On!
Steve
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12/7/2006
Steelhead fishing here on the Trinity River remains good. The big schools of fish have moved up river, taking most of
the fishermen with them. Were still fishing our home water here in Junction City averaging 10 fish a day. Yesterday we fly
fished from a Boulder Boatworks, drift boat that belonged to a client. The boat is constructed with a polymer material
with beautiful wood fly braces. The boat and fishermen did great, landing fish to 10 lbs.
Fish On !
Steve
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11/25/2006
Steelhead fishing is as good as its ever been here on the Trinity River. There are fish in every riffle, but there is
also a fisherman in every riffle as well. It is more crowded than I've ever seen it here, but everyone is catching fish. I
think this is the peak of the crowds as other rivers will start fishing with this rain. For the last month we fished from
the raft accessing areas drift boats dont drift, pretty much having the river to ourselves. With this cold weather were back
in the drift boat staying close to the heater. The fish are biting just about everthing we throw at them from flys to roe
to jigs and plugs.
Yesterday I had a 12 year old beginner fly fisherman, he hooked a bunch and landed about 5 adults to 10 lbs. It was a
great day.
Fish on!
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10/14/2006
We have finished our salmon season here on the Trinity. The steelhead fishing is going strong.
The flows will drop one third to 300 cfs monday, so all trips will be done from the raft. Bring those waders.
Fish On!
Steve
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10/7/2006
The salmon and steelhead fishing is good to great here on the Trinity River. Every day were hooking lots of fish. Next
week we will start fishing from the raft as the flows drop to 300cfs from Lewiston.
Part of the river is still closed between Junction City and Del Loma due to the forest fire.
Fish On
Steve
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8/24/2006
Today we landed only one salmon, a nice buck over 20#s. We lost a couple others. Scotty's boat did about the same. The
salmon continue to trickle through, one day is great with the next being slow.
Good fishing
Steve
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8/22/2006
Salmon fishing here on the Trinity River has improved. Were seeing a few more spring salmon moving through,
and the fall fish are on their way. We have just a few more weeks before the september 15th cut off date for the take of adult
salmon.
Archery bear and deer hunting has started, so if I'm not on the river, I'm in the woods looking for bucks like the one
pictured above.
Good fishing
Steve
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8/6/2006
The fishing here on the Trinity has slowed way down. I've not seen any fresh fish moving through, and the wier counts
are way down. We have been getting a few bites a day, but have only landed one or two a day. This picture is from today when
we fished three generations of the Allens. They drove all night
without any sleep to get here. We ended up having another boat in front of us, we missed a couple good grabs first thing,
but they stuck it out and landed this big buck.
Im going to take a week off and go spear fishing. I will be back on the river next week if more fish show up.
Good fishing
Steve
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8/1/2006
The Junction Fire has kept us busy the last 4 days. The fire never got closer than a mile from our house, but it did
burn some property we have across the hiway. Our power was just turned back on tonight. As of tonight the fire is 100 0/0
contained. The helicopters and hand crews did a great job saving our friends house and barn at riffle range rd. As well
as a lot of other structures in the path. Sadly Lagrange Cafe in Weaverville caught fire in the middle of the forest
fire. Damage was major in the kitchen and rear entrance. They plan to rebuild.
As for fishing:
Today we went up river to get away from the fire. The salmon were not to be seen. We did have some fun catching a bunch
of juvinale steelies on the fly rod between salmon holes.
good fishing
Steve
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7/28/2006
Yesterday fishing was good, with Ron and Mike, we ended up again only one jack short of 2 full limits (limit=1 fish over
22" and 2 fish under 22").
Today was a differnt story, fishing with Matt and Steve we went 0 for 2. We had another party today fishing with Scotty
they also only fought 2 , but they landed theirs.
We had some close encounters today with a bear swimming the river just behind the boat, 2 nice bucks came down to water
about 20 yards from us, and a bald eagle followed and watched us most of the day.
Fish On!
Steve
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7/25/2006
The fishing is good for us here on the Trinity River. Today Shane and Joy were one jack (salmon under 22")
away from limits for 2. Yesterday they also fished with us, and did pretty good getting two nice hens. The
weather has been full blown hot over 100 degrees for almost 2 weeks. Sunday night a thunder storm dumped enough rain
in the Trinity Alps to blown out the northfork. It also started some fires which are still burning. So far they are all in
the high country not effecting travel or fishing.
Fish On!
Steve
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7/21/2006
Today we had a break from the heat wave with a nice cloud cover that kept the temps below 80 degrees most of the day.
My guest Greg, John and Johns lab Scooter did well today landing 3 salmon up to 19 lbs.
Tomorrow the flows will be back to the summer normal of 450cfs for 71 days.
Fish on!
Steve
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7/17/2006
Fishing could be better and it could be worse here on the Trinity River. In the last 3 days we landed 2 king salmon and
a bunch of juvenile steelhead. As the flows come down its clear that the river bed has changed as we are already dragging
bottom in a few spots. When the river gets to 450 cfs we may have to get out and push the boat over gravel bars. Pictured
above are the Patterson brothers with a 20 lb chrome hen caught at first light yesterday. They also caught a small hen about
6 lbs later in the day.
Good fishing
Steve
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7/13/2006
Fishing here on the Trinity is good. The flows are still over 1000 cfs and dropping 100 cfs every day. Next week we should
be in great shape. Today Rick and his 3 daughters did great landing 3 nice salmon to 24 lbs.
Fish on!
Steve
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7/11/2006
The fishing improves as the flow drops, yesterday Tom and I hooked and landed 2, 12Lb king Salmon and a steelhead. This
week the river flow will drop by half changing everything. I will have pics of our fish and more X fishing pics soon.
Fish on!
Steve
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7/4/2006
Happy fouth of July
The high flows are coming down and the river has a bunch of salmon down at the falls. Yesterday we did some X (extreme)
fishing. Tom, Shannon and I took the raft from big flat to hadden flat, at 3000 cfs it was a fun and wet ride. With the
big flows all we could do was sidedrift roe and tunaballs with no luck. We have been catching steelhead and some nice
browns up to 5 lbs but no salmon yet. Next week the flows will finally drop below 2000 cfs making it much easier to find and
catch salmon.
Fish on !
Steve
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6/1/2006
NOW BOOKING TRINITY RIVER SPRING SALMON
CALL (530) 623-2112
Spring run Salmon season will start for us next month. The release from the lake is about 6000 cfs which
is on schedule. If they keep to this flow schedule, we will start our season on July 1st, with a flow just below 3000cfs.
By mid July the river will be at its normal flows of 450cfs.
Good fishing
Steve
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3/13/2006
With the heavy rains we had this winter, the winter run steelhead have made there way through the river system. I wont
be doing any more steelhead trips on the upper river this winter.
I will take a couple months off and be back on the river in June when we start our spring salmon season. There is already
talk of quotas and closures for salmon this year. When the DFG post new regulations I will post any changes.
Good fishing
Steve
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2/19/2006
Today we drifted the south fork of the Trinity River. Although it was a great float we only hooked 1 adult loosing it
after a couple head shakes. The water color and flow was perfect, but oh well thats fishing.
The guides fishing here on the main stem Trinity River are getting a couple fish a day on a good day.
Steve
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2/18/2006
The flows here on the Trinity River are finally getting back to normal. Although a lot of our winter run steelhead have
come and gone, there should be some nice fish to be caught. I will be getting back on the Trinity tomorrow and will post
a report. The pictures above are steelies caught last week while fishing a favorite costal river.
Fish On!
Steve
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1/8/2006
Things dont look good for steelhead fishing here on the Trinity River. The flows in Junction City are just over 5000cfs
near the northfork. The storms have eased up some, but with the high releases out of Trinity and Lewiston lakes the river
will continue to be blown out.
The Smith river is about the best bet for nor cal steelheading right now. If you need a guide for the Smith I can recommend
several good ones.
Since the Trinity is blown I went pig hunting with some buddy's yesterday. I was looking to put some pork in
the freezer and this 200# boar was just perfect.
sausage on!
Steve
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1/1/2006
Happy New Year!
The above picture is the confluence of oregon gulch into the Trinity river at Sky Ranch rd in Junction City. The river
flow was up to 11,000 cfs and 22' on the gauge. We were without power most of the day yesterday, hiwy 299 has had slides and
trees falling across it everywhere.
Looks like it may be a couple weeks before we get back on the river.
Steve
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12/26/2005
Today when I left the house the flow was 1250 cfs in Douglas City and rising, it went to 1400 cfs by 10:am. By
the end of the day the river color was looking good but still high.
Pictured above are Scot and his son Nate with a couple nice steelies, they did great considering the conditions.
Fish on!
Steve
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Pictures from previous trips have been moved to photo gallery, to speed up loading of this page.
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