After two weeks of dry weather the rains have returned and angler's options are becoming fewer. Currently on Tuesday 2-23 evening at 7:PM rainfall totals over the past 6 hours are ranging from .50 to .90 across the North Bay and .50 to over 2 inches of rain on the North Coast. After 8 days of fishable conditions the Eel looks to go out tonight. Over the weekend the Eel was crowded and guides reported scores of 2 to 5 fish landed per boat. Rain will continue to fall overnight into Wednesday and another stronger system is expected to push in on Friday. Most rivers from the Russian, Eel, Mattole and Van Duzen will likely be high and muddy through sometime next week.
The Smith is the one river that looks to stay in through this first system and should fish through Friday and maybe into the weekend depending on how much rain we see from Friday's weather front. Many guides have been opting to fish the Chetco in recent days (most reporting scores of 2 to 3 with the highliners landing 5 or 6) due to the low clear flows and slower action (1 to 2 fish per boat) on the Smith in recent days. As other rivers rise most guides will be working their way back to the Smith as their options become fewer. At the same time scores should pick up on the Smith as the river colors back up.
For those looking to fish waters not quite as susceptible to rain the upper Klamath and Trinity rivers with their dam controlled flows are giving up some good counts. If you are looking for fish and quiet waters explore the upper Klamath where Wally Johnson has been reporting 2 to 5 adults with lots of half pounders every day. On the Upper Trinity Steve Huber says the flows have been low and fishing slow with 1 to 3 adults per day but rain will color it up and should improve the bite. The Smith and Chetco rivers are both giving up good numbers of fish. Both dropped into shape over the weekend and look to remain in good shape for at least a few days so long as Ma Nature continues to cooperate. Kenny Armstrong fished the Chetco on Monday 2-8 and reported a great "hooked" count but they batted only 200 with 2 fish landed out of ten hooked. He was happy with the action but very frustrated with the number of fish to the net.