Coastal Steelhead Season on the Brink

By Kenny Priest fishing@northcoastjournal.com

With the majority of our coastal rivers in prime fishing shape, it’s starting to feel like it’s now or never for the 2023 winter steelhead season. In what has been one of the most dismal seasons anyone can remember, if the next couple of weeks don’t produce some quality fishing, it’s likely the season will go down as big, giant dud. There’s plenty of theories on why the steelhead haven’t returned in big numbers, but nobody really knows for sure. Drought, ocean conditions, climate change, habitat are all playing some type of role. We’re right at the halfway point in the season, so there is time for a resurgence. We’ve pulled a few “Miracle Marches” out of the sky in the past, and it’s looking like we may need to do it again.

The weather ahead

According to Merl Heinlein of Eureka’s National Weather Service o ce, we’re looking mostly dry through the weekend. “There is a chance of rain Thursday, but it won’t be enough to impact the rivers,” said Heinlein. “The eight-to-14-day outlook is looking wetter, but it’s a little too far out to be certain.”

Flow releases from Lewiston Dam set to increase

The California Department of Water Resources on Feb. 8 released the B120 forecast that states there is a 90-percent probability that inflows to Trinity and Lewiston lakes will meet or exceed 945,000 acre-feet for water year 2023 (Oct. 1, 2022 through Sept 30). Under TRRP’s Winter Flow Variability plan, this allows scheduling 60,000-acre feet of release from Lewiston Dam, above the winter baseflow level, as of Feb. 15.

Flow releases from Lewiston Dam to the Trinity River will change from the 300 cubic feet per second baseflow to the flow schedule presented below beginning Feb. 15 through March 14. Dam releases are then likely to remain elevated above the 300 cfs baseflow until the spring flow release commences on or around April 15. To view the flow schedule, visit trrp. net/restoration/flows/current/?fbclid=IwAR1E31LpHhKW7-4gJ2VmZp0KItUCU8u8pkcue-MLY7Fml3U2Qam3UzX50FY.

The Rivers: Mad

The Mad is just starting to turn green and water conditions should be much improved by the weekend. Fishing continues to be slow, as not many hatchery or wild steelhead are making their way into the river. Flows as of Tuesday were right around 640 cfs.

Main stem Eel

As of Tuesday, flows were just under 6,000 cfs at Scotia. The river is in good shape color-wise, but it’s still a little big. It will be in prime shape by the weekend and should take some pressure away from the South Fork. Hopefully there will be some fresh steelhead making their way through the system.

South Fork Eel

The South Fork continues to draw the biggest crowds, but the slow fishing has put a dent in the boat tra c. Conditions remain excellent, but there isn’t a surplus of fish. Most boats are getting one to three chances per day. Flows are predicted to be right around 800 cfs by Saturday.

Van Duzen

The Van Duzen was down to 515 cfs as of Tuesday and is in great shape. There are plenty of bank anglers taking advantage of the conditions, but reports were hard to come by. It’s predicted to be under 400 cfs by Saturday.

Smith River

The Smith was sitting just above 7 feet at the Jed Smith gauge as of Tuesday. The river is low, clear and snaggy. The boat pressure has been light, as most guides have moved to other rivers. It’s forecast to be down to 6.7 feet (1,525 cfs) by Saturday. Will likely need some rain to bring in some new fish.

Southern Oregon rivers

Steelhead fishing remains slow on the Chetco but there are a few fish around, reports Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “Flows are down to 1,100 cfs and expected to slowly drop through the weekend,” said Martin. “The best fishing has been on the lower river, where a handful of local guides are getting a fish or two a day. Pressure has eased. The Rogue, Elk and Sixes have been slow for steelhead.”

Brookings ocean update

According to Martin, rough weather has kept bottom fish anglers at the docks in Brookings. “Big swells and wind are expected through the week. Surfperch are now being caught from beaches around Brookings.” Read the complete fishing report at northcoastjournal.com. ●

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.

• Competitive price guarantee

• Delivery and Service after the sale