Trinity River
Fishing the Trinity
One of my favorite local rivers – I spend many days on the Trinity River in pursuit of the amazing steelhead and Chinook salmon that return home each season.
The Trinity is an incredibly productive steelhead fishery hosting one of the most consistent and dependable runs of fish along the entire west coast. The river is open to fishing all year around and is more often than not, “in shape” throughout much of the steelheading season. The river rarely blows out for long after heavy rains and it drops and clears very quickly. The river has a solid return of both hatchery and wild steelhead that average around 3-7 pounds with occasional 10 pounders (30-32” fish) landed every year. The “long-season” is fishing the upper river from September - March… this yields an impressive seven-month long window… many anglers consider October-February to be the prime-time.
In addition to steelhead, the Trinity is also home to several different runs of salmon of both hatchery and wild origin. There are springers and a fall-run Chinook salmon - primetime for springers are July/August and fall-run is September/October. The run of Coho (silver salmon) are now a protected species, so no legal season to target these fish. They usually arrive in the upper river in late Sept - Dec.
The Trinity rivershed runs approximately 120-miles in length and it’s the largest tributary to the Klamath River. It joins the Klamath system in Weitchepec which enters the Pacific Ocean about 16 miles south of Crescent City, CA.
This river offers something for every angler; depending on the time of year, water conditions, and type of water you choose to fish – the river invites virtually all fishing techniques! Anglers committed to swinging traditional steelhead flies (including dry flies) with Spey and switch rods, or single-handers will find ample opportunities and water variety that suit these classic methods.
Indicator nymphing techniques are very effective on this river especially during the cooler months of October - February. Drift boat fishing is a very popular option for many people who want to fish from the comfort and stability of a boat.
For more information on fishing the Trinity River please email me or call. I recommend visitors stay in the town of Weaverville in order to be on the water early or out late. There are many motels, B&B’s, and restaurants in town as well as options in Lewiston and Douglas City.
