FISHING THE NORTH COAST
341 West Harris St., Eureka 707 445-3138
poletskis.com
CDFW Seeks Input on 2022 Pacific Halibut Season By Kenny Priest
fishing@northcoastjournal.com
C • Servicing Humboldt County for over 40 years • Largest in stock new & used inventory • Competitive price guarantee • Delivery and Service after the sale
alifornia anglers who are interested in the recreational Pacific halibut fishery are invited to participate in an online survey to help inform the CDFW about angler preferences for open fishing dates during the upcoming 2022 season. Results of the survey, which is open until Feb. 18, will be used to develop recommended season dates that will be provided to the National Marine Fisheries Service. The Pacific halibut fishery takes place off Northern California and the 2022 quota will be 39,000 net pounds, the same as in 2021 and 2020.The online survey can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/r/RNDCG2S. For more information on the Pacific halibut fishery in California, visit www. wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/Pacific-Halibut.
The weather ahead
According to Jeff Tonkin of Eureka’s National Weather Service office, there’s a 30 to 40 percent chance of light rain Sunday into Monday. “Up in Del Norte, we could see up to a quarter inch while we’ll probably see less in Humboldt,” said Tonkin. “After Monday, we’re back to dry conditions with the ridge of high pressure pushing everything way to the north.”
“LARGEST BRAND SELECTION IN THE COUNTY”
River Closures
The South Fork Eel, Mattole and Redwood Creek were closed to fishing as of Feb. 15 due to low flows. The South Fork Eel is closed from its mouth to Rattlesnake Creek. The Mattole is closed to fishing from the mouth to Honeydew Creek. Redwood Creek is closed from its mouth to the confluence with Bond Creek.
The Rivers: Mad
According to Justin Kelly of Eureka’s RMI Outdoors, the river is super low right now. “There’s still a little color in the deeper holes and slots,” said Kelly. “There are
18
NORTH COAST JOURNAL • Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022 • northcoastjournal.com
quite a few fish around but it’s been tough getting them to bite.” Flows were down to 275 cubic feet per second as Fortuna resident Bob Crane landed this nice Pacific halibut out of of Tuesday. Eureka last summer. CDFW is currently seeking input for the 2022 sport Minimum halibut season. Photo courtesy of Gary Blasi/Full Throttle Sport Fishing flow is 200 cubic feet night following the small storm. This could per second at State Route 299 bridge. have brought in some fresh fish but flows Main stem Eel will remain extremely low. Minimum flow As of Tuesday, it was running at 2,300 is 600 cfs at Jed Smith Park. cfs and dropping. Flows went up about Southern Oregon rivers 400 cfs to 2,500 cfs over the weekend The Chetco is approaching summertime due to snowmelt from last week’s warm levels, with flows below 600 cfs, reports temperatures. The fishing has been inconAndy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “Steelsistent with boats getting anywhere from head fishing is slow because of the low, zero to three fish per day. Most of the fish clear water, although a few fish are trickbeing caught are bright. Minimum flow is ling in. Effort is light. Expect catch rates to 350 cfs at Scotia. jump after the next major rain. Low water South Fork Eel also has brought the action to a standstill The South Fork is closed to fishing as on the Elk and Sixes, while fishing also is of last week. On Tuesday, flows were 280 slow on the lower Rogue. A few steelhead cfs at Miranda. Minimum flow is 340 cfs at are being caught near Agness, and action Miranda. has been good in the canyon for anglers taking advantage of the low water. Expect Van Duzen the first spring salmon of the season after The Van Duzen bumped up slightly due the next major rain.” to snowmelt in the hills. As of Tuesday, ● flows were hovering just above 200 cfs. The river is extremely clear and low. Bank fishing effort has been light due to Read the complete fishing roundup at conditions. If the river forecast holds, it www.northcoastjournal.com. should close to angling later in the week. Minimum flow is 150 cfs at Grizzly Creek. Kenny Priest (he/him) operates Fishing the North Coast, a fishing guide service out Smith River of Humboldt specializing in salmon and Last week’s warm weather triggered steelhead. Find it on Facebook, Instagram, snowmelt pushing flows to 1,600 cfs on YouTube and www.fishingthenorthcoast. the Jed Smith gauge last Friday. It has since com. For up-to-date fishing reports and dropped back to 1,390 cfs as of Tuesday. North Coast river information, email There was a slight bump in flows Monday kenny@fishingthenorthcoast.com.
