Fishing the North Coast

Rivers Turning Green, Dropping Quickly

By Kenny Priest

fishing@northcoastjournal.com

Alex Fulks, of Sacramento, landed a nice hatchery fish Friday, Dec. 9,

while drifting the Mad River. Photo courtesy of Justin Winkle

1001 Main St. in Fortuna 707.725.6734

www.eelvalleyappliance.com

After a very wet weekend that saw all our coastal rivers plum full of water, just about all are now in fishable shape. And the ones that aren’t will be in the next couple days. The reason behind the quick clearing of the rivers is twofold. After years of drought, the soil is extremely thirsty. Water from the season’s first big rain is typically gobbled up by the soil, leaving less to flow into the rivers. Also, the surrounding mountains received a lot of snow over the weekend. Combined with extremely cold temperatures, not much runoff is making its way to the rivers. What all of this means is the rivers are dropping quickly, and will be low and clear before we know it.

Both the Smith and Chetco rivers were fishable Monday following some impressive weekend rain. In the Humboldt area, the main stem Eel will likely be one of the better options this week. It was still big and off color Tuesday, but the way it’s dropping, it should be in great shape by Thursday. The South Fork Eel and Van Duzen rivers are both dropping out, but should remain open to fishing through the weekend. The Mad will be another top option. The river was nearing perfect flows Tuesday and was close to turning green. It’s still early in the winter steelhead season but, if you’re jonesing to try your luck, there is green water to be had.

Weather ahead

According to Jeff Tonkin of Eureka’s National Weather Service office, there isn’t any substantial rainfall in the forecast for at least the next 10 days. “With a big high pressure aloft, it will keep us dry for a while,” said Tonkin. “Conditions will remain cold, so we don’t expect to see a lot of snow melt affect the rivers either.”

Mad River Steelhead Derby Starts Jan. 1

The Nor-Cal Guides and Sportsmen’s Association (NCGASA) is hosting its fourth annual Mad River Steelhead Derby from Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, 2023. Anglers must be signed up prior to the start date to be eligible to win cash and prizes. Only hatchery steelhead can be entered. The largest steelhead in the adult division will win $500 for first place, $300 for second place and $150 for third place. The three largest fish entered into the youth division (16 and under) will win gift cards to local tackle stores. Plus, the three best steelhead fishing videos will win product packages from sponsors. Anglers can sign up online or in person at RMI Outdoors. Part of the proceeds benefit the Mad River Steelhead Stewards volunteer angler’s broodstock collection program that works in concert with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit madriversteelheaderby. com.

Mad

The Mad is rounding into shape after peaking at 10 feet over the weekend. Should be green by at least Thursday and will fish into the weekend. With no rain this week, expect clear conditions next week.

Main stem Eel

After peaking at just over 22,000 cubic feet per second Sunday, it should be fishable in the next couple days. Flows at Scotia are predicted to hit 3,000 cubic feet per second Thursday. Should be in great shape through the weekend. There should be some early steelhead around.

South Fork Eel

It reached 6,300 cfs Sunday but is dropping out quickly, to under 800 cfs by Tuesday. It should remain open to fishing throughout the weekend. There should be a few steelhead on the lower end.

Van Duzen

Flows were down to 550 cfs Tuesday after reaching 4,400 Sunday. It will be low by the weekend but should be fishable.

Smith River

The Smith was under 8 feet on the Jed Smith gauge by mid-day Tuesday after peaking at 12.75 feet Saturday night. The river is low and clearing, and will remain that way through the weekend. There should be some early steelhead around but the season typically gets going after Christmas.

Chetco

“The Chetco was in good shape for salmon and steelhead Monday, but catch rates were poor,” said Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “A few steelhead were caught by plunkers at Social Security Bar. Flows hit 10,000 cfs and were down below 3,500 cfs on Monday. Expect a few late salmon and early steelhead this week. Peak season for steelhead begins after Christmas.”

Read the complete fishing report at northcoastjournal.com. l 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.