Fishing the North Coast

Rain and Steelhead Both on the Horizon

By Kenny Priest

fishing@northcoastjournal.com

341 West Harris St., Eureka 707 445-3138 poletskis.com

Winter steelhead season has yet to take o on the North Coast but that could soon change. A pretty sizeable storm is headed our way this weekend that should put all of the coastal rivers on the rise, and hopefully open them to fi shing. And more rain is on the way next week according to the National Weather Service. Steady rain and pulse fl ows are just what we need to entice some steelhead from the salt. If the rains come as predicted, the Smith and Chetco should be in prime shape sometime next week.

The Eel, South Fork Eel, Van Duzen and Mad will all see fl ows begin to rise over the weekend. The Mad could open early next week, while the rivers to the south may need another storm or two to get the fl ows up. Once all of the rivers crest and begin to recede to fi shable levels, we should see the fi rst wave of winter steelhead. After another tough late-fall salmon season, seeing the rivers loaded with bright steelhead sure would be a welcome sight.

Weather ahead

The seven-day forecast is looking good for steelhead anglers. An atmospheric river is predicted for the weekend, which will put all of the coastal rivers on the rise. “Lighter rain is possible on Thursday and Friday, with the heavier rainfall totals coming over the weekend,” said Kathleen Zontos of Eureka’s National Weather Service. “Sunday and into Monday should produce light rain, with a potential small break on Tuesday. The next chance of wet weather is next Wednesday through Friday. The seven-day forecast ending next Tuesday is calling for 3 to 5 inches in the Smith Basin. Here locally, the Mad and lower Eel could see 1 to 2 inches. Further up the South Fork Eel, a half to an inch of rain is possible. From Dec.13 to Dec. 21, the probability of above normal precipitation is predicted.”

Mad River Steelhead Derby to start Jan. 1

The Nor-Cal Guides and Sportsmen’s Association (NC- Michael McGahan, a guide with Wild Rivers Fishing and GASA) is hosting its second Brookings Fishing Charters, holds his first steelhead annual Mad River Steelhead Derby from Jan. 1 through March 31. Anglers must be signed up of the season from the Chetco River. He caught the hatchery fish Dec. 6 drifting roe. Photo courtesy of Wild Rivers Fishingprior to Jan. 1 to be eligible to win cash and prizes. Only hatchery steelhead can be entered. The largest with adult fi sh now spread throughout steelhead wins $500, second place $300 the system, reports Andy Martin of Wild and third place $150. A youth division Rivers Fishing. “The best fi shing has been winner (16 and under) wins a $150 tackle at Social Security Bar, where at least half gift card. In addition, anglers who submit a dozen adult steelhead were caught on a winning video of their catch in action Sunday, but steelhead can be seen below get a $100 gift card to Bucksport Sporting spawning salmon all the way to the upper Goods. Anglers can sign up online at www. river,” said Martin. “A few bright kings ncgasa.org or in person at RMI Outdoors are still around, with lots of salmon still and Bucksport. Part of the proceeds spawning. Drift boaters are seeing steelbenefit the Mad River Steelhead Stewards head in the tailouts from Ice Box to the volunteer angler’s broodstock collection head of tide. The river likely will blow out program that works in concert with the this weekend but should be in great shape California Department of Fish and Wildlife. next week.” For more information, visit www.madriver- According to Martin, shore anglers steelheaderby.com have been catching salmon near the Sixes Grange, while drift boaters were back on The Rivers: the Sixes after the weekend rains. “The big storm this weekend should lead to a big rise on both the Elk and Sixes, bringing Smith in another batch of fall kings and the

The Smith opened back up to fi shing fi rst winter steelhead of the year,” added Sunday morning and remained open as of Martin. Wednesday. Another closure is possible ● this week as fl ows drop. A big storm is Read the complete fi shing report at expected by the weekend, however. www.northcoastjournal.com. Boat pressure has been light but some kings were caught on the lower river last Kenny Priest (he/him) operates week. Ri es between the Outhouse and Fishing the North Coast, a fi shing guide the Outfi tters were holding quite a few service out of Humboldt specializing half-pounders along with an occasional in salmon and steelhead. Find it on adult steelhead. Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and www.fi shingthenorthcoast.com. For Chetco/Elk/Sixes up-to-date fi shing reports and North

Steelhead are showing up in good Coast river information, email kenny@ early season numbers on the Chetco, fi shingthenorthcoast.com.

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