I am a third generation guide with over 20 years experience. My grandfather Al Kutzkey was one of the first guides in California. He started his fishing lodge on the upper Klamath River in Hornbrook near the California and Oregon borders. The river was said to be the steelhead capital of the world. My grandfather is now in the fishing hall of fame.
My father, Tim Kutzkey was known for being one of the best fishermen around. It was said, " If there were fish in the water, he could catch them". He developed many of the fishing techniques that are still widely used by fishermen today. Tim will always have it in his heart to keep fishing, as he is today on the Klamath River, where he originally began.
I am trying to uphold the great tradition of fishing that my father and grandfather started. With three generations of fishing behind me, I know I can give you a fishing experience you won't soon forget. I offer Jet boat and Drift trips on the Smith-Chetco Rivers, Klamath River, and the Sacramento River.
Enjoy the thrill and challenge of world-class steelhead, trout and salmon fishing on Northern California and Southern Oregon rivers.
Smith and Chetco Rivers
Referred to as "Sister Rivers", The Chetco and Smith are short coastal streams. The beautiful Smith River located in the redwoods about 10 miles north of Crescent City. It produces some of the biggest salmon and steelhead in California. In fact, the Smith holds the CA state record steelhead, which is 28.5 pounds. The Chetco, located just a few miles further north near Brookings Oregon, also produces some whoppers. Both rivers fluctuate with Winter & Spring rains. They are known for trophy fish, Chinook salmon ranging up to 50 lbs. and steelhead from 10 to 20 lbs. make quite a thrilling fishing experience.
Often called the "Steelhead Capital of the World", the scenic Klamath River flows through a wide variety of terrain covering 180 miles from Iron Gate Dam near Hornbrook California to the ocean.
More steelhead is caught on the Klamath than on any other river on the West Coast due to its stable year round fishing conditions. An average sized Klamath steelhead is 3 1/2 to 5 pounds. There are a variety of methods I use to catch this steelhead, from fly-fishing in the fall to drifting bait in the winter. The gear used here is very light for that great fight all fishermen look for. The steelhead on this river run from late September through January.
For trout fishermen the Klamath is a great place that is virtually unknown. In the spring the rainbows are plentiful, with 50 to 100 fish days not uncommon. The fly-fishing is great in May and June and gets even better when the salmon fly hatch is on. The trout average about 12 inches, with many over 3 pounds and I have landed them as big as 8 pounds.
The salmon is a very popular and hard fighting fish. The season is short, lasting only one month on the Upper Klamath. The average size of this powerful fish is in the 15-pound range.
Sacramento River
Located not far from Redding, California the Sacramento boasts numbers of hard fighting trout in all sizes. This is a favorite for fly fishermen. Additionally, large fresh Chinook Salmon become an angler's challenge in late summer and early fall.
