
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.
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River Levels: Chetco River Data
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