The winter steelhead season on the North Coast is starting to show signs of life, albeit ever so slightly, on the rivers that have remained fishable. Over the last couple days, a few adult steelhead have been caught on the Smith, which up until then was only kicking out half-pounders. The Chetco is starting to see some fish show up as the plunkers are starting to catch a few in high water. A number of steelhead showed up earlier this week to the Mad River Hatchery and a few more trickled in Thursday. I get this doesn’t sound like the start we’re used to or hoping for, but considering where we were a week ago, I’d like to think the season is about to take off.
Weather ahead
The North Coast will see a decent amount of rainfall between Thursday and next Tuesday, and these will be much colder systems with low-level snowfall. “In the Smith basin, we’re expecting between 2 and 4 inches through Tuesday,” said Kathleen Zontos of Eureka’s National Weather Service office. “Saturday alone could see up to 1.5 inches and possibly 2 inches in the Smith mountains. The Mad could also see around an inch Saturday, with the Eel basin seeing around three-quarters. A similar system is forecast for Monday evening through Tuesday, with the heaviest rainfall totals falling along the Smith. The Eel basin could see up to a half-inch between Monday night and Tuesday.”
CDFW looks for input on low-flow regulation change
In a press release sent out Wednesday, CDFW is inviting anglers to provide input on the proposed fishing regulation change that would affect how CDFW distributes low-flow information. CDFW is seeking to simplify and streamline access to low-flow information by transitioning the three low-flow phone lines to a CDFW webpage. This regulation will not impact where or when low-flow closures occur. The questionnaire will take approximately 3 to 5 minutes to complete. Questionnaire results will be used to 1) evaluate support and opposition to the regulation change, and 2) identify potential resources that may benefit constituents. The questionnaire is available until February 18 at 11:59 p.m. The questionnaire can be found at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland/Low-flow-Restrictions
Mad River Steelhead Derby Starts Jan. 15
The Mad River winter steelhead run is just around the corner and with it comes the annual Nor-Cal Guides and Sportsmen Association’s (NCGASA) Mad River Steelhead Derby. The derby will start on January 15 and will run through February 29. Anglers will have two months to catch a big hatchery steelhead, with the three largest measured in both the adult and the youth divisions eligible to win cash and prizes. Adult division payouts: 1st place: $500; 2nd place: $300, 3rd place: $150. Youth division payouts (16 years and under): $150 RMI Outdoors gift card; 2nd place: $100 RMI gift card; 3rd place: $50 RMI gift card. All the youth winners will also receive donated fishing tackle from our sponsors. Anglers who sign up for the derby will be entered to win weekly raffle prizes starting on Jan. 1. New this year is a Winner Take All Raffle Package that includes a guided river trip for two, plus crazy amounts of fishing tackle and gear. This package is currently valued at $850. Raffle tickets are $50 and only 100 tickets will be sold. There are other raffles that include several guided ocean and river trips or you can win a two-night Airbnb country home stay, located minutes away from the Mad River. These trips and stay raffle tickets are $20. Sign up online at madriversteelheadderby.com, ncgasa.org or at RMI Outdoors in Eureka.
The Rivers:
As of Thursday morning, all North Coast rivers subjected to low-flow fishing closures were open to fishing. This includes the main stem Eel, South Fork Eel, Van Duzen, Mad, Redwood Creek and Smith rivers. The Department of Fish and Game will make the information available to the public by a telephone recorded message updated, as necessary, no later than 1 p.m. each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday as to whether any stream will be closed to fishing. The rivers can be opened at any time. The low flow closure hotline for North Coast rivers is 707-822-3164. More information can be found here.
Mad
The Mad is forecast to drop between Thursday and Saturday afternoon before it goes back on the rise. It was off color as of Thursday, but conditions should get better each day. Over a half-inch of rain is forecast for Saturday, which will push flows above 10 feet (3,700 cfs) by Sunday morning. A few steelhead are making their way to the hatchery.
Main stem Eel
The main Eel remains big and brown, with another small rise predicted for Saturday. It should be on the drop starting Sunday and could round into shape by next weekend. Flows were 14,500 cfs at Scotia and dropping as of Thursday.
South Fork Eel
The South Fork could be fishable Friday and Saturday, but water color could be an issue. It’s dropping quickly as of Thursday and will be down to a fishable 1,800 cfs Friday. Conditions look much better Saturday, but they will be short-lived. Rain is in the forecast and its likely to blow out by late Saturday. It should be back to fishable shape by early next week.
Van Duzen
The Van Duzen is high and muddy, but dropping. It won’t be fishable before the next storm hits on Saturday, which will bump flows up to 2,700 cfs. If next week is fairly dry, it could drop in to shape by next weekend.
Smith
The Smith is the only river that’s remained in fishable shape through this week’s storms. As of Thursday, it was holding at just over 8.5 feet (4,000 cfs) at the Jed Smith gauge. With over an inch of rain predicted for Saturday, it will be on the rise most of the day. Good conditions should return for Sunday and Monday before the next storm arrives. Fishing has been tough with just a handful of steelhead caught this week. Fishing should begin to improve in the next week or so.
Southern Oregon rivers
“A few steelhead are being caught by plunkers on the lower Chetco, but overall action has been slow,” said Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “Rough ocean conditions and big swells prevented steelhead from passing the bar separating the river and ocean last week. Despite good conditions early this week, fishing remained slow, although the best steelhead action on the Chetco is mid-January through February. Steelhead also is slow on the Elk and Sixes, while a few adult steelhead are being caught by plunkers and anchored boats on the lower Rogue. Rains could have the Chetco blown out this weekend.”
Kenny Priest operates Fishing the North Coast, a fishing guide service out of Humboldt specializing in salmon and steelhead. Find it on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and fishingthenorthcoast.com. For up-to-date fishing reports and North Coast river information, email kenny@fishingthenorthcoast.com.
Fishing the North Coast with Kenny Priest 