Sturgeon and Salmon in the Smith River in northern California?

[BrandonCole]

Hello folks. Does anyone on SB know about diving in the Smith River to see sturgeon? Salmon? When and where?

I'd also be most appreciative for info on diving in the ocean in far northern California.

I have quite a bit of experience diving along the West Coast, including California (from Sonoma and Mendocino south to the border), Oregon (Brookings up to the WA border), Washington, BC, Alaska, etc.. But I've never dived in the Eureka/Crescent City/Humboldt/Trinidad area, and never in the Smith River.

Thanks very much,

Brandon

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I think once you get up to Eureka area the vis generally goes way down and it’s pretty inhospitable.
A lot of people from up there will go down to Mendocino/Ft. Bragg to dive.
Mendocino and Sonoma Counties IMO have some of the best diving in California.

 

[BrandonCole]

Thank you, Eric. Yes, I am aware that the conditions in the far north are usually inhospitable. I have enjoyed my dives in Mendo and Sonoma counties, but want to try something new. Including the Smith River for sturgeon and salmon.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Seal’s Watersports in Santa Rosa is hosting a dive to the Oroville dam to see the Salmon run coming up next month.
It’s quite a spectacle!
Call them at 707-542-3100

 

[Ted Judah]

Check out

Pacific Quest Dive Center

Pacific Quest Dive Center in Crescent City, CA offers scuba instruction, equipment repair, rentals and sales of wetsuits, regulators, masks, fins, weights, tanks, dive computers, BCD's, hoods, gloves, booties and NRS gear

www.pacificquestdivecenter.com

They have some video of divers at the smith river with stugeon and the vis looks great!

 

[Ted Judah]

here is some more info:

Scuba Diving The Far North (of California, that is): Early Hole, Smith River

On the far northern end of the state is a dive site popular with divers in both California and southern Oregon. Early Hole is the name of a deep hole ...

californiadiver.com

I'd really like to dive up there sometime.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

here is some more info:

Scuba Diving The Far North (of California, that is): Early Hole, Smith River

On the far northern end of the state is a dive site popular with divers in both California and southern Oregon. Early Hole is the name of a deep hole ...

californiadiver.com

I'd really like to dive up there sometime.

Wow! footage of those sturgeon is a first. Cool looking fish and they didn't seem to be scared of the diver. I wonder how big they are, 3'- 4'?

 

[BrandonCole]

Thanks Ted. Yes, it was that footage on the Pacific Quest Dive Center that caught my eye and piqued my interest. I tried contacting the shop over and over for about two months, via phone and email and social media, and never received a reply. Unfortunately.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Thanks Ted. Yes, it was that footage on the Pacific Quest Dive Center that caught my eye and piqued my interest. I tried contacting the shop over and over for about two months, via phone and email and social media, and never received a reply. Unfortunately.

That's odd.
You'd think they would try to be more social than that. Are they still in business?

 

[BrandonCole]

>>> Are they still in business?

I'm not sure.... If I have time this fall to drive down and dive I may try again.