The rain didn’t arrive quite on schedule this week — but the weather pattern is finally turning. And it looks like it’s going to turn in a big way.
Forecast river levels are pointing toward blowout conditions on most coastal systems, with the Smith — and possibly the Chetco — shaping up as the only fishable options once the storms settle. That’s pretty typical for this time of year, as the Smith tends to stay green when everything else turns to mud.
After a long stretch of low, clear water since early January — and even some recent low-flow closures — we’re finally headed back into real winter steelhead weather. A good push of water should get fresh fish moving, but anglers may be on the sidelines while rivers rise, fall, and clean up.
What to expect
- Short-term: Most rivers will be high and unfishable
- After the drop: Fresh steelhead entering systems
- Best bets: Smith first, Chetco shortly after
- Smaller rivers: Fishable windows between storms
In other words — the dry spell is over.
Goodbye sunscreen, hello raingear.
The weather ahead
According to Eureka’s National Weather Service office, “a deepening trough and closed low will form off the Northern California coast Saturday, beginning the start of a pattern of wet weather through the extended forecast. A potent surface low will form well off the coast with this trough over the weekend. The placement of this low is poorly modeled, and this will need to be watched for the potential for stronger coastal winds with a closer proximity. A series of colder troughs will proceed in from the northwest beginning Monday. These incoming troughs will kick the previously mentioned low eastward as it weakens. Winds from this system will still bear watching if less weakening occurs as it pushes ashore. Snow levels will quickly drop Monday night as the additional cold trough impacts the region. The cold airmass will aid in the development of steep lapse rates which will promote heavy precipitation, along with isolated thunderstorms and the potential for accumulating small hail along the coast by Tuesday. NBM probabilities are predicting a high likelihood for 1″ to 3″ in 72 hours from early Sunday to early Wednesday morning for most of the County Warning Area, with 3 to 4.5″ in the windward facing terrain.”
Upcoming salmon information meetings
The California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will hold the annual Salmon Information Meeting in person at the California Natural Resources Agency Auditorium at 715 P St. in Sacramento on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at 1 p.m., and will also be livestreamed online. The meeting will feature the outlook for this year’s ocean salmon fisheries, in addition to a review of last year’s salmon fisheries and inland spawner returns.
CDFW statement:
“The 2026 Salmon Information Meeting marks the beginning of a two-month public process to help develop annual sport and commercial ocean salmon fishing seasons. The input is also used to inform inland salmon season development later in the spring.
The annual pre-season salmon management process involves collaborative negotiations between west coast states, federal agencies, tribal co-managers, commercial troll representatives, commercial passenger fishing vessel representatives, private recreational anglers, non-governmental organizations, and others interested in salmon fishery management and conservation.
These leaders utilize the most current information shared at the Salmon Information Meeting to work together to develop a range of recommended ocean fishing season alternatives at the March 4-9 Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) meeting in Sacramento, Calif. Final season recommendations will be adopted at the PFMC’s April 7-12 meeting in Portland, Ore.
Salmon Information Meeting details, agenda, informational materials and instructions to view the livestream will be published in advance of the event on CDFW’s Ocean Salmon web page. Livestream login information and a handout with the meeting presentations will be posted by the morning of Feb. 25. Please see the Ocean Salmon web page for a complete Calendar of Events and contact information regarding the Salmon Preseason Process, including other opportunities for engagement in the ocean salmon season development process.”
Free fishing days this weekend in Oregon
It’s free to fish, crab or clam on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 14-15. During these two days, no fishing licenses, or tags (including a Combined Angling Tag and a Columbia River Basin Endorsement) are required to fish, crab, or clam anywhere in Oregon. Although no licenses or tags are required, all other regulations apply including closures, bag limits, and size restrictions. For more information, visit Free fishing weekend Feb 14-15 | Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife
The Rivers:
As of Thursday, the Van Duzen, Mattole, and Redwood Creek were closed to fishing. All other North Coast rivers subjected to low-flow fishing closures were open to fishing. This includes the Mad, main stem Eel, South Fork Eel, and Smith rivers. The low-flow closure telephone hotline for North Coast rivers is no longer in service. You can now find river openings and closures online at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Inland/Low-Flow/North-Coast. Low-flow information for all North Coast rivers is available here.
Mad
According to Justin Kelly of RMI Outdoors, the river came up a bit this week and added a little color. He said, “It did seem like the rise brought in a few more fish. The most consistent fishing has been the Blue Lake Bridge area and up. Both beads and bait are working, but bait seems to be catching a few more.”
Main stem Eel
The main stem was right around 2,600 cfs at Scotia on Thursday, about perfect conditions. Anglers should be able to get the next few days in before it blows out on Sunday. It predicted to hover around 30,000 next week and will need a couple weeks of dry weather before it returns to a fishable level. With most rivers running low, the Eel has been a busy place. Scores have been consistent however, with most boats getting a couple each trip.
South Fork Eel
The South Fork is low and clear, and only providing limited spots to fish. Most anglers have moved on, but there’s still a few fish being caught. As of Thursday, it was down to 650 cfs at Sylvandale. With quite a bit of rain in the forecast beginning Sunday, it will be off color for some time. The 10-day forecast has the river peaking at 7,900 cfs next Thursday. Depending on rainfall, it could be blown out through the end of the month.
Van Duzen
The Van Duzen is currently closed to fishing due to low-flows and was running at 122 cfs as of Thursday. The rain this coming Sunday will open the river to fishing but expect muddy conditions. It’s predicted to peak at 2,600 cfs next Tuesday and looks unfishable through next week.
Smith River
The Smith will benefit the most from the return to a wet weather pattern. As of Thursday, it was down to 6.75 feet (1,600 cfs) at the Jed Smith gauge. But improved conditions are on the way. Starting Sunday, the river will see a slow steady rise, and it looks like it will be in the 9 to 10-foot range from next Wednesday through the weekend. With the rise, we could start to see some “blue backs” or smaller adult steelhead. The increase in flows could also start to bring some of the downers out of the tributaries and should bring in some new fish as well.
Southern Oregon rivers
Plenty of steelhead appear to be around on the Chetco after this past weekend’s rain reports Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “Most drift boats reported two to three fish on Monday and Tuesday, with perfect green water and ideal flows for side-drifting,” said Martin. “The Chetco should be in good shape all week. More rain from Saturday into next week will lead to higher flows, but the river could be just below blow-out levels.
Boat traffic picked up on the lower Rogue as anglers were anchoring with plugs and also running anchovies in hopes of an early springer. Steelhead fishing should be good this week on the Rogue, as well as the Elk and Sixes.”
Brookings ocean update
According to Martin, rough weather is expected this weekend and will likely put a damper on ocean fishing. “Surfperch action has improved with red tail and striped perch being caught.”
Kenny Priest operates Fishing the North Coast, a fishing guide service out of Humboldt specializing in salmon and steelhead. Find it on Facebook, Instagram, YouTubeand fishingthenorthcoast.com. For up-to-date fishing reports and North Coast river information, email kenny@fishingthenorthcoast.com
Discover more from Fishing the North Coast with Kenny Priest
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
