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Good

After what has been the wettest start to any winter steelhead season in recent memory Northern California is finally getting a reprieve. As of this writing we have one more storm lined up for mid week which will impact Humboldt and Del Norte county. After that, the coast looks clear! It's going to take a while for many of the coastal rivers in Humboldt county to clear, some will need more time than others. Up north, that won't be the case. As we go into next weekend we will see our first decent window for finally being able to wade in and throw a line in hopes of feeling that big pull. I still have a few dates available for January for anyone out there who's been eagerly waiting for the chance to swing up a coastal winter steelhead. In the meantime get that tip wallet organized and put those scandi heads away, it's game time. 

What all the fuss is about
What all the fuss is about
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 Steelhead fishing in Northern California remains a game of hit or miss. During a recent trip on a coastal river with friends Gary and John it was a hit with a nice fish to hand in the third run of the day. More recently, with new comers to Spey Derek and Tim we fished hard all day with only the satisfaction of mastering a few new casts to show for our efforts. Swinging flies for Winter Steelhead is at its best an opportunity to encounter a single fish, anything beyond that is exceptional. After a prolonged spell of no meaningful precipitiation since around the first of the new year the weather outlook seems to be shifting towards increased chances of rainfall for Northern California. Hopefully this will see a few of our coastal rivers bump up enough to usher in some fresh waves of winter steelhead. As of right now low and clear conditions persist on all coastal steelhead rivers in Northern California and beyond, but that picture is sure to change with increased chances of precipitation. A few rivers have closed due to the newly extended low flow fishing regulations and others are getting close to the deadline. With March fast approaching and the weather outlook shifting towards more favorable conditions we should see an uptick in fishing opportunities heading into the final act of the season here in Northern California. Stay tuned!

A beautiful bright hen from a recent outing
A beautiful bright hen from a recent outing
Gary with his coastal prize from ealier this month.
Gary with his coastal prize from ealier this month.
View Drew Griffith's Calendar
Good

After what seemed like a solid month of wet weather in December, a generous window of clear weather has graced California's North Coast. This prolonged dry spell has given us steelhead anglers the opportunity we've been waiting for. Over the past few weeks of January all coastal systems have been in play, with some fishing better than others. After having spent the better half of the month on the water I can say that the most consistent fishing we've had has come in just the past few days. Now, as we head into February we will need another shot of rain to keep some of the smaller and quick clearing coastal rivers in contention. We are lucky, however, to have a host of rivers that are still in prime shape for anyone looking to come find one of these elusive critters on the swing. If you have an itch to scratch I have lots of availibily starting around the second week of February for right now. On another note, an important regulation change has gone into effect on the North Coast steelhead rivers. Now the low flow fishing closure will be enforced through the end of April opposed to ending on January 31. This means that now most of the coastal rivers can be closed to fishing through the entirety of the winter steelhead season if they drop below the CFS threshold. It is important to call the hotline at (707) 822-3164 and follow the automated prompts to check on the status of the river you might want to fish. Considering that we currently have no rain forecasted going into this next month I think it is safe to assume that some of these rivers will potentially be closed to fishing.  

Having one of those days on the coast where it all comes together
Having one of those days on the coast where it all comes together
First run first cast first fish. True story
First run first cast first fish. True story
Tony with a pint sized buck
Tony with a pint sized buck
Misty morning light on the coast
Misty morning light on the coast
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It's the time of year when the commercial fleet is out to sea crabbing, the hills are coated in freshly fallen snow, and the rivers of California's North Coast are turning green. Winter steelhead season has come again for all of us who wait with eager anticipation for this time of year. Right now there are several rivers in play as they drop into shape but we have plenty of wet weather ahead of us as we go into the end of this coming week. The amount of precipitation in the forecast will make timing more difficult for those looking to hit a nice window of green water on the coast. Hopefully as we begin 2022 we'll see more generous conditions take shape to start off another season of chasing these elusive critters. I have plenty of open dates as of right now going into January and February for those looking to swing flies on the coast this winter. Happy Holidays to all! 

Consolation prize for putting in the time
Consolation prize for putting in the time
The Redwood Curtain
The Redwood Curtain
Keep calm and hang on
Keep calm and hang on
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Good

If every winter steelhead season was a play of three acts then this next storm is the final scene of the first act. The past 10 days saw every system fall into shape after a big push of rain brought all of our rivers up to their highest peaks of the season so far. As the rivers dropped and turned green many of us who wait in eager anticipation for the chance to shake hands with a winter fish found ourselves traveling north to the rivers of the coast. My first handful of guide days were spent in the upper reaches of the river, hoping to find a fish or two up high. Angling pressure was high, as is to be expected early on in the season and especially during the first stages of a dropping and clearing river. The first four days on the water proved to be tough fishing. That is almost always true for us folks swinging flies, but I got the feeling from talking with other boats that fishing was just as tough for them as it had been for us. Simply put, there just were'nt that many fish around. It wasn't until the lower end dropped into shape that we saw our fortunes shift. I fished with husband and wife duo Jim and Vivian midweek on an abnormally pleasant and sunny day for January on the coast. Just before 9am Jim hooked into a good fish in the first run of the day. We landed her by the skin of our teeth and were all three of us excited to see what turned out to be a truely impressive specimen. Swinging flies for a winter fish is a game of long odds, mostly you end up with nothing to show for your efforts, but sometimes you shake hands with something that will stay with you for a lifetime. The fishing continued to be productive heading into the end of the week. I was lucky enough to have a few more considerably good days on the water with one time Confluence guide Tyler and his longtime friend Steve. On the last day we fished together they tied each other with each a fish landed and each a fish lost. All said and done, it was a whirlwind of days spent searching for something that is exceedingly hard to find, but once found is always worth the effort. Thanks to everyone who came out to fish with me. It was a pleasure being on the water with you all. Looking ahead into the month of Febuary we are set to see another massive rise for all of our local rivers. Right now as I type away the coast is being lashed with heavy winds as another big storm moves off of the Pacific. If last season is an indicator for what is instore for the second act then we should see a major improvement in fishing as we head into this next month. Lets all keep our fingers crossed for good river conditions after this next round of storms has passed. Stay tuned for more. 

Colin swinging the green ditch
Colin swinging the green ditch
Jim with his prize doe
Jim with his prize doe
Sometimes the clients let me pretend I swung up their fish
Sometimes the clients let me pretend I swung up their fish
Tyler with a early morning hen
Tyler with a early morning hen
Tyler on the board early for day two
Tyler on the board early for day two
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I just had next Wednesday, 1/20, open up next week for anyone looking to venture North for a day of hucking wiggly bugs for winter steelhead. River conditions should be in top form after the big rise currently taking place on all of our North Coast rivers. Coupled with some of the highest tides of the winter steelhead season taking place over the last few days I'd say stars are aligning to usher in a fresh batch of dime bright metal heads into all of our local systems here in Northern California. If you've been jonzing for the pull next week is looking like a good one.  I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy out there. Here's to bent rods and screaming reels coming soon to a river near you!   

A few squids for the prince of tides
A few squids for the prince of tides
Matching the hatch on the Pacific Coast
Matching the hatch on the Pacific Coast
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This morning I awoke to the most pleasant sound a steelhead fisherman can ever hope to hear: the hard patter of rain beating steadily against the gutters. Finally, after a dismal Fall of very little precipitation for our Northern California steelhead rivers, we have rain. Being well into the month of December, accompanied by a generous forecast of rain with a  prediction to see all of our coastal systems on a steep rise towards the end of this coming week I feel like it's safe to say that winter steelhead season has come again at last. Time to dust off your skagit heads and organize your tip wallets for another season of swinging flies for saltwater rainbows. Put away the 5 and 6 weights for next time and bring out the big guns. For everyone out there who spends a majority of their year dreaming of green water and hard fighting silver fish this push of rain marks the official kickoff. Let the games begin. Keep checking in for more condition reports and local info. Stay safe and healthy friends. 

Green water and a deeply bent rod. What winter steelhead fishing is all about
Green water and a deeply bent rod. What winter steelhead fishing is all about
A prime specimen taken during last season. Fish like this keep you coming back for more
A prime specimen taken during last season. Fish like this keep you coming back for more
winter workshop with all the fixings.
winter workshop with all the fixings.
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Good

At long last we have some actual rain in our forecast for the parched North Coast. While it's nothing amounting to a gully washer it's a welcome change from the prolonged dry spell we've been going through since early February. Despite exceptionally low and clear conditions there are still fish coming into the rivers and over the past few weeks every outing has offered a handful of opportunities to find one of these fish before the season closes (mostly) for 2020. Scaling way down on fly profile and being selective to certain water types has proven to be successful, but conditions are tough on the days that are bright and sunny, and there have been more than a few of those over the past few weeks! Fishing pressure has seen a major drop during March as most rivers have gotten too low to drift. Hopefully this shot of rain will put some fish on the move that are kegged up in the lower stretches and give us a fitting end to our 2020 season. If you've been holding out on making the journey North you still have a shot at finding a fresh from the salt chromer. Tight lines out there! 

Fishing Report Image
Fishing Report Image
Fishing Report Image
Fishing Report Image
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Great

Yesterday I got to fish with Jeff from the Bay Area. Jeff reminded me of a lot of guys I've met and talked with over the years who are new to swinging flies and speycasting. He's a serious fly fisherman, has been involved in the sport for a long time, and has plenty of experience fishing for trout in Northern California and beyond. But he has never ventured into the world of speycasting, mostly because at some point as an angler you stick to what you know, and speycasting can seem intimidating. So much new information to digest. So much new gear to figure out. Who wants to relearn how to cast? Where to begin? I count myself lucky that he obliged and decided to venture out into new territory with me. As a guide there's something special about being there at the very beginning of someones journey into the world of speycasting. I get to relive all of the excitement and frustration of when I was first learning, and get to watch the same progressions and rewarding moments that everyone experiences when learning how to speycast. Remember how epic it was when you first threw a truly long cast and it burped the reel because it wanted more running line?  It's hard to explain, but for those in the know it's something you never forget. We set off on a day that met every standard for winter steelhead. A steady drizzle fell in the dim light of morning, the mist like thick smoke turning the huge redwoods into looming shadows along the rivers edge. Jeff was a quick study. We worked on dialing in his double spey in the morning and graduated to the snap t by noon. He picked up his on shoulder snap t and ran with it. By the time we had finished lunch and he had stepped back into the run he was in the zone. It was a good cast that caught the fish. One that turned over well and emptied all the running line through the guides. This was something! The fish faught well, a chaotic fit of runs, tailwalking jumps and nerve racking headshakes in close to the bank. Just as we we're landing him another angler happened upon us and we were able to get a picture with the three of us. Jeff's fish was a good buck, still clad in his chrome camo from a life in the salt. After it was all over I half jokingly told him to be careful about who he told about getting a winter steelhead on his first day swinging flies. Some folks might go ahead and put their rods on ebay after hearing a thing like that. I knew that I had a convert before me, that he was sold on what I had just shown him was possible, and for that I am humbled and grateful.Looking at the weather ahead there is some rain forecast for next weekend along with snow falling at lower elevations. Whether or not this system will have any impact on our coastal rivers is hard to say, but what is apparant is the need for some soaking rain. Despite low and clear conditions that now prevail on nearly all rivers on the North Coast fishing has been solid. Yesterday I spoke with a handful of other guides who all reported getting into good numbers. I personally have found success the last handful of occasions I've had time to fish for myself coupled with getting clients into fish on my last two trips. If you're looking to head north and swing a critter for a chrome fish this would be a good time to make the journey.  Tight lines!  

Jeff with his first coastal steelhead.
Jeff with his first coastal steelhead.
A healthy buck to hand on the coast
A healthy buck to hand on the coast
I even got to make a cameo appearance thanks to a fellow angler. Thanks Don
I even got to make a cameo appearance thanks to a fellow angler. Thanks Don
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Great

On Monday I got on the water with Kris to swing some flies for winter steelhead. We had fished together before. Twice last season Kris made the voyage from the high desert of Reno to the fog lorn coastline of Northern California and Southern Oregon in the hopes of making the connection with a winter fish. Despite ideal conditions on the two occasions we fished together we struck out. Being a recent convert to spey fishing Kris was still looking to get that first fish to hand on the swing as we began our day together. Thick fog in the morning gave way to a blue bird day on the water. By mid day the temperatures had become pleasantly warm for February as we made our way further down river with the hopes of finding some fresh and eager fish coming up from the tide. Under bright sun in a tell tale riffle I watched as Kris' skagit head swung lazily into the soft water and suddenly jarred tight. It was a good eat, perfect. She jumped for us almost immediately in the place she ate and we saw that she was a near perfect dime bright hen. After some excitement and boat wrangling we made it to shore and brought her to hand for a quick meet and greet and then watched as she quietly dissapeared into the riffle. Spirits were high, and the monkey was now officially lifted from Kris' back. We rowed on, looking to get into one last run before the day was over. Now the wind came up, and casting became a challenge. The sun dipped beyond the ridge and the light went off the water. Nearly towards the end of the run came another freight train grab. It was different then before. No jump, just stubborn headshakes and a refusal to budge an inch. This was a good fish, bigger than the first. It fought well in the riffle and finally came to hand along the willow line. A beautiful wild buck. We saw him off and knew we were done for the day. As we walked off the river we were both laughing and spellbound by our good fortune. Few things in the world of angling compare to the days you find them on the swing.  Looking ahead conditions on the North Coast are fair but we are now in need of some substantial rainfall to bump up our low and clear rivers. Some rain is forecast over the weekend but it doesn't look like anything heavy enough to make a significant dent in river conditions. It might put the Smith River on a slight rise and add a little color to the rivers further south but that's about it. As of now there is nothing looming in the forecast to make a dramatic change in river conditions. Hopefully within the next few weeks that will change. What started off as a dormant January heated up into February and gave way to some of the best fishing of the season for the North Coast. Hopefully we'll see a continuation of that trend as we round the corner into the end of this month and the beginning of March. Tight lines out there!

A beautiful hen in full sun.
A beautiful hen in full sun.
Kris with his end of the day buck
Kris with his end of the day buck
First fish to hand on the spey. A worthy pursuit and epic reward
First fish to hand on the spey. A worthy pursuit and epic reward
Getting dialed in before the burn off.
Getting dialed in before the burn off.
As wild as they come.
As wild as they come.
View Drew Griffith's Calendar
Good

Conditions are shaping up nicely for getting out on the water to do some swinging for chrome. After the biggest rise of the season for all of the rivers of the North Coast we are seeing an extended period of mostly dry calm weather. This is the generous window we've been waiting for, so if you've been cooped up at home tying flies and scouring the internet for images of salty fish it's time to wax your ferrules and hit the road. By this weekend we should see a number of North Coast rivers come online, and looking further ahead with no major systems threatening to rain on the parade more and more water will become fishable. Hope to see you on the water. 

Andrew Harris in the goods
Andrew Harris in the goods
Mad River projection into February
Mad River projection into February
S. Fork Eel river projection into February
S. Fork Eel river projection into February
Smith River projection into February
Smith River projection into February
View Drew Griffith's Calendar

Fishing on the North Coast has been hit and miss over the past few weeks with brief windows opening up between storms. The Smith River has been the best bet for finding green water and conditions have been ideal for swinging. With flows remaining on the higher side the river has been showing off its iconic emerald green color, and with it the first decent push of fish. Reports from most of the guides I talked to who were floating from the Forks down were getting into a few fish a day. The Eel River has remained largely unfishable since blowing out earlier this month, with the upper S. Fork above Benbow being the excpetion. I spent a few days poking around up there last week and while conditions were near perfect I didn't talk with anyone who had hooked up. As of right now all rivers on the coast are anticipated to be on a steady rise through the beginning of this week. The projections for the Eel are pointing to the most significant rise of the season to date, restarting the clock for any hopes of being able to fish on the lower stretches of the system for some time to come. The Smith should be a player by as soon as mid week. There is a system hot on the heels of the current one due to deliver soaking rains late on Monday into early Tuesday, after that things are looking to quiet down for now. Hopefully with the close of January and the end of the winter seasons first act we will see some respite from the wet weather and more rivers turning from brown to green. Tight lines out there! 

Great aerial shot by Dax Messett. Big mean and green,
Great aerial shot by Dax Messett. Big mean and green,
Snowy morning from one of the heaviest snowfalls during a winter steelhead season
Snowy morning from one of the heaviest snowfalls during a winter steelhead season
Offerings
Offerings
Some wild mushrooms picked on the way into the run.
Some wild mushrooms picked on the way into the run.
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Good

Last week I got to fish with Hayden, Josh and Jerrett; three buddies from the Sacramento area. We just squeeked by on having the lower Eel river stay a few shades away from being blown out on the day we fished, it held on by a thread giving us some of the most ideal conditions one could ask for when it comes to swinging big nasty flies for a bright winter fish. In the morning we worked on casting and by the time we had gotten through with the second run of the day everyone was dialed in. After lunch we lucked into a good run that was open and I had my guys spread from top to bottom hoping between the three of them a fish would take a liking to one of their flies. It was Jerrett in the bottom of the run who got the grab. It held on long enough to give us one good jump out in the heavy water to show us how chrome it was before it came unpinned. It was a nice fish. A real one. The boys stuck around to fish the next day on their own and from their report all the action came in those brief moments when Jerrett was connected to the one that got away. The Eel held on through the weekend and was fishing well for guys in the right spots on the Main and especially for guys on the S. Fork. A few exceptional winter specimens were brought to hand before it all blew out on Tuesday. Right now it looks like there could be the potential for a brief window to open up by Sunday and into Monday for a shot at the S. Fork before the next storm blows in on Tuesday to take it offline again. The flows are projected to be ideal but what the color will be is another story. The Smith River looks to be in good shape as of this writing and should remain within fishable conditions through the weekend and into next week. All said, this last round of rain was the storm we needed and have been waiting for. If your'e looking to get out on the coast in pursuit of winter steelhead, this is it. They're in. 

Colton Schwenning brought this specimen to hand before the river blew out on Tuesday
Colton Schwenning brought this specimen to hand before the river blew out on Tuesday
The boys: Hayden, Josh, and hotrod Jerrett.
The boys: Hayden, Josh, and hotrod Jerrett.
View Drew Griffith's Calendar
Slow

The coastal steelhead season in Northern California is off to a catagorically slow start. We've had bouts of rain to bring in the first flush of chrome fish from the salt but nothing constituting a major storm so far. I've been out on several occasions since the holidays guiding and fishing for myself and have heard mixed reports from fellow guides and anglers alike. All said and done it seems like fishing has been slow up and down the coast. That being said there are fish being caught, it's just not a bonanza. A few days before the new year I got out on the water with Ken Frank from the Bay and we fished on the MS Eel. Day one saw a steady rain and light pressure from the bank with few other boats on our float. A nice grab on the hang down came easy in the first run we fished that morning, but with the exception of a small half pounder that got off in the afternoon that would be all the excitement for us. Looking ahead into next week it looks like someone is finally going to turn the faucet on high. Our cycle of glancing blows from storms making landfall to the north will come to an end. Some major wet weather is on tap as of this writing with chances of rain blocking out the 10 day forecast. It looks like a possible pineapple express in the works. Hopefully this will be the bugle call for our anadromous friends still milling around in the ocean waiting to get a wiff of their natal stream. As always with heavy rainfall, look to the Smith River to be a player early on. The Eel, which has been fishable since Christmas and in need of a good old fashioned gully washer will most likely be out of the picture by mid week. Stay tuned....

The anticipation is everything
The anticipation is everything
Blue bird day with Ken Frank in a good run on the Eel
Blue bird day with Ken Frank in a good run on the Eel
Old and golden on the coast
Old and golden on the coast
View Drew Griffith's Calendar
Okay

We can officially say we are at the beginning of another winter steelhead season here in Northern California. With a series of moderate rain events and healthy rises under our belt the coastal rivers have all been in decent shape throughout the past two week period, but the steelhead have been characteristically hard to come by. I fished on the Smith river one week ago with Cory Robertson from the bay area. We squeeked into fishable conditions by the skin of our teeth and began the day with the river dropping from the top of 12' falling from where it had crested at 16.5' the prior afternoon. Conditions were ideal for swinging; marginal visibility and high cfs forcing fish to take the inside lanes. Cory had never cast a spey rod before this trip, but he was a quick study, getting dialed into his double spey to the point of being able to send out forty feet of running line by the time we were finished in the first run of the day. We pushed our luck in that first run and managed to beat the rain but by the time we stopped again to fish we were in for it. We ended the day with our Gor-Tex soaked through taking one last look back at the river which now had fallen to around 11.5' and had cleared significantly throughout the day. We didn't find one, but it was rewarding enough to have taught Cory how to cast and fish a spey rod with confidence.  Looking ahead things are lining up to bring us into the next decade with favorable river conditions on the North Coast. A steady rain is falling on the gutters as I type this report and should continue for most of tomorrow. Everything from the SF Eel to the Smith is on the rise once more. As we draw closer to the end of the month we should see the first big push of winter fish come into their home rivers to spawn. It looks like after this system moves through things will quiet down for the holiday week giving the rivers the needed time to drop and clear up enough to be fishable. The Smith will probably stay fishable throughout this rain event. Look for the SF Eel to come online sometime midweek and the MS Eel to be a player by late next week at the earliest. For everyone who has been biding their time waiting for ideal conditions to take shape on the coast your wait is nearly over. Merry Christmas! 

Cory waiting for that steel handshake
Cory waiting for that steel handshake
Standard winter steelhead swing thing
Standard winter steelhead swing thing
Eel River projection
Eel River projection
Smith River Projection
Smith River Projection
Shiny and chrome
Shiny and chrome
View Drew Griffith's Calendar
Good

Another season of chasing winter run steelhead on California's redwood coast is primed to start. Last week saw the first flush of rain with enough water coming down stream to open our local rivers from their low flow closures. I was out on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, to see what was taking shape. What I saw was a small coastal river that had previously been sealed off at it's mouth fully breached, and quickly blowing out. Blown out or not, the gates had been swung wide open, and every fish that had been staging in the salt waiting for rain was making a run for it. I saw fish moving in every place I stopped to fish. Mostly, if not all, King Salmon, pushing up river with a vengeance. As quickly as most of the rivers under low flow restriction opened, so too they closed as they dropped below their CFS threshold. A few, however, have stayed open to fishing and the fishing has been good. I've been out the past two days and have connected with fish on both outings. Yesterday I found a nice wild adult hen and today a decent half pounder. With more wet weather on tap for this weekend we should see another push of fresh fish come in from the salt. As of this writing the Mainstem Eel will be the only river to remain open until our next round of rain makes landfall on Friday. Please remember to call the Fish and Game hotline to make sure the river you want to fish is open! 707-822-3164. We should expect to see most, if not all of the coastal rivers open to fishing by early next week if not sooner. Hopefully everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday and is ready to dive into yet another season of swinging for steel! 

Just the right amount of blush on this wild one from the other day
Just the right amount of blush on this wild one from the other day
Winter is coming. Are you ready!
Winter is coming. Are you ready!
River booty! The best kind
River booty! The best kind
View Drew Griffith's Calendar

A low pressure system has finally made its way to the coast and is currently delivering the much needed soaking rain that we've been waiting for. It looks like most of the percipation is falling as snow up in the hills and mountains, making it hard to guess how it will affect our local coastal rivers. Right now most of the projections show next to nil for flow increases, but I have a feeling that a few rivers currently under low flow closure will surpass their threshold and open to fishing in the next 24 hours. How long they stay open and whether or not they blow out is another story. Stay tuned. Looking ahead conditions are shaping up nicely to bring us into the beginnings of our 2019/2020 winter steelhead season. There is more wet weather on tap for the coast heading into the Thanksgiving weekend accompanied by a low swell on Saturday. What does it mean? Hopefully that the gates are soon to be opened. Currently all rivers that are subject to low flow closures are closed to fishing. This includes the Smith River, Mad River, and Eel River. For information regarding low flow restrictions and current river status call (707) 822-3164. In the meantime, be thankful for rain and enjoy that turkey!   

Time to whip up some big bugs. Winter steelhead season is about to kick off!
Time to whip up some big bugs. Winter steelhead season is about to kick off!
View Drew Griffith's Calendar
Good

I just wrapped up my last winter steelhead trip of the season with Roff and Bob from Mendocino. We had a typical wet welcome for our first day that saw us on the Smith River due to everything else in the neighborhood being blown out. By noon the rain had lifted and gave way to a picture perfect spring day on the coast. We poked around up river but by days end came up empty handed. Day two we floated the main stem and had it nearly all to ourselves. A marked difference from earlier in the season that can see heavy boat pressure and bank pressure. We got Roff dialed into his spey cannon, a Sage X 10150. Yup, a 15 ft 10 wt. Roff got into a groove by mid day and was making some epic casts. Finally it came down to the last run of the day as the sun dipped behind the redwood curtain. Bob found one in the bottom of the run.  A shiny little buck hammered his fly on the hang down and preceded to but on a nice show for all three of us before we netted him and sent him on his way. I can't think of a better way to end my season guiding for these elusive fish. The last day of fishing for winter steelhead is coming to an end for the 2019 season. Most rivers will be closed starting tomorrow, 4/1/2019. Two exceptions are the Smith River and the main stem Eel River. The Eel continues to remain high and muddy after recent rains took her off the table. There was a window when nearly all of the South Fork was fishing and reports were good. The Main Stem came oh so close but again, no cigar. With more wet weather forecast into April it's anyones guess when the main will come back online. The Smith will see another nice bump of rain during this coming week, but fishing has slowed down considerably. Most of the fish in the system are down runners headed back to sea at this point. Although there are a run of smaller "blueback" steelhead that always make an appereance during spring, the majority of the fish have come and gone. All in all it was a good season on the coast that saw better numbers of fish but fewer fishable days due to a very wet winter. The game certainly isn't for everyone but for those who braved cold mornings and soggy afternoons in the hopes of feeling that electric grab I am eternally grateful. Thanks to everyone who came and fished with me this season on the coast! See you next time. 

Spring break weather
Spring break weather
Bob and Roff with a dandy chrome steelhead
Bob and Roff with a dandy chrome steelhead
Bob and yours truly with a buzzer beater
Bob and yours truly with a buzzer beater
Bob with a nice bend in his rod
Bob with a nice bend in his rod
Roff getting dialed into his 10150 Sage X
Roff getting dialed into his 10150 Sage X
View Drew Griffith's Calendar
Okay

For the third time during the 2019 Steelhead season an epic rain event will see every river on the North Coast swell to near flood stage conditions. If the projections hold this rise will rival the big spike in flows we saw in mid January for both the Eel and Smith rivers. The S Fork Eel was just coming into shape late this week above Benbow, but reports of fish being caught were few and far between. It was a small window, and now it looks like the rivers to the south could be out of the game for quite some time. The Smith had near perfect conditions over the Presidents day weekend but fishing remained tough. I fished with Kris from Reno on Wednesday on the Smith. We spent a typical winter steelheaders day on the river in cold and wet conditions searching high and low for the elusive winter run coastal steelhead and came up empty handed. I spotted a single fish that day in shallow water along a willow line, but were denied when we offered him a chance to come to a small black and blue morsal. Looking ahead we will see the Smith come online around the first few days of March. It should be in excellent shape by next weekend and through the beginning of next week. I have some prime dates open for anyone looking to catch the next drop in hopes of intercepting some fresh chromers charging up river!   

Main stem Eel River Cfs
Main stem Eel River Cfs
Kris loaded up on a picture perfect day in steelhead country
Kris loaded up on a picture perfect day in steelhead country
Smith River Cfs at Jed Smith
Smith River Cfs at Jed Smith
The upper S Fork Eel getting close before blowing out
The upper S Fork Eel getting close before blowing out
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I just wrapped up a two day trip with father and son team Norb and Ned. We fished the Smith on the heels of a major snow event that blanketed the coast on Saturday night and saw lots of downed trees and powerlines. The first day saw us going over lots of spey casting fundementals as both father and son were newcomers to the sport. On the second day we floated the main as another powerful storm loomed over the Pacific. Ned got a grab in the first run of the day, but we were denied a second interview. We spotted fish on the move this day. We saw some in tailouts and watched one fish roll repeatedly as we broke for a shorelunch. Norb, who had never fished with a two handed rod before this trip made huge strides and was getting into some nice casting which was both rewarding and fun to watch. The day ended in a steady rain and a last cast grab that ended up being a shiny little half pounder. There was very little angling pressure on the river during our trip, a welcome break from last months chrome rush. We have another major rain event on tap for the North Coast extending into the end of this week. The Smith was blown out this morning and looks to remain high until the weekend. It should be in prime shape by Sunday, and will be on a good drop through the beginning of next week. The Eel is going to get absolutely anihilated in this next storm. The lower river is forecast to reach flood stage sometime late this week. It could be March before we see any glimmer of hope for a chance to fish on the main stem. I have some prime dates open for anyone looking to get out and catch this next drop. With the middle of Febuary fast approaching and another big shot of rain on the menu it should be game on once the rivers turn green again! 

Norb fully loaded and ready to fire
Norb fully loaded and ready to fire
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