One day it started raining
…and it didn’t stop.
Our attempts at a couple odes to two great movies, only this script ends better. When the rain finally backs off, the catching begins. After weeks under a foggy blanket, the valleys, mountains, and coast are getting the fresh deluge they’ve needed. Reset buttons are getting slammed.
It’s time to fish.
Guide Spotlight: Fred Contaoi
We’re beyond excited to welcome Fred Contaoi to the 530 Outfitters team. Fred will be running coastal steelhead trips, with a strong focus on the northernmost rivers of the California coast, and the flexibility to head into Oregon when clean water and fresh fish call.
Fred brings decades in the fishing industry as a rod designer, sales manager, and world-class angler. He’s called the North Coast home for over 20 years and knows these waters inside and out, and he’s happy to share that knowledge with our guests.
If fishing the Smith River has been on your list, this is your chance to do it with a guide who lives seven minutes from the boat ramp. As steelhead season winds down, we’ll also be sharing more of the trips Fred offers. We’re grateful to have him on board and can’t wait to hear the stories that come back from the river.
Top 3 tips for Winter Steelhead Fishing :
1. Properly dress for the trip. Always wear waders with no leaks! A wading belt is a must, and comfortable wading boots (not too tight). Hested coats and disposable handwarmers have come a long way! If you tend towards being cold they are not a bad idea. Keep your body warm. I find that nitrile gloves are great for keeping your hands warm without the bulk. Make sure they are not too tight as they can work against blood flow if too tight. Think of these types of gloves as a layer of thick skin. An added bonus is they keep your hands dry and are easy to handle the fly line offering feeling that a thick pair of traditional gloves does not offer.
2. Prepare yourself mentally for perhaps only one chance at a steelhead in a day of fishing. We are conditioned to seeing all the fish on the internet that get featured. That may have been that anglers only fish for the trip! I like to call it high-stakes fishing. 1 or 2 steelhead in a trip is a reasonable goal! Memories are made of the whole experience on the water. The fish is the icing on the cake! A few days away from the hustle and bustle of life on a trip on the river goes a long way for mental health.
3. Pack a good lunch and drinks for your days on the water. Make food that is easy to eat on the go. Snacks are important too. For drinks I like a hot thermos with coffee or tea. Since it is often cold and rainy it is nice to have a hot drink to warm the bones. Dont forget water! We often get dehydrated out on the river, so a steel growler comes in handy as it is easy to drink out of.
Coastal Rivers: Open for Business
If you haven’t locked in dates yet, it’s not too late. With Fred joining the team—and a few of us calling the coast home during steelhead season—we can get you out there.
No crystal ball here, but once the rivers turn green, we’ll be there.
Give us a call and let’s get something on the books.
Big Lakes. Big Bass. Big Numbers.
We get asked all the time: “When’s the best time to fish a fly rod?”
The answer? Now.
Bass fishing on Lake Oroville and other Northern California lakes is red-hot. If you’re looking for a steady bite, a great trip for a new angler or a kid, or you just need a solid ego boost, this is the ticket.
Big power boats. Scenic water. Hard-pulling spotted and smallmouth bass.
Jump in and hang on.