Middle fork Eel steelhead

[double ipa]

Does anyone have advice on when to fish Middle fork Eel? I was thinking late April into May might be a good time if runoff isn't to high.

[dpentoney]

Memorial Day used to be a great time, but I don't think you are allowed to fish the Middle Fork anymore.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I believe that the 'Middle Fork of the Eel River' has the largest average size "Summer Steelhead" we have in California. Maybe 6 to 12 pounds and larger?

Around 25 years ago there was a good articel by someone who was probably a fisheries biologist in Frank Amato's 'Salmon-Trout-Steelhead' magazine on all the rivers in California that had Steelhead in them all summer. This is usually way up river in deep shady pools where the water is cool. I have read and heard about the Summer Steelhead for many years.

Most have serious protection now.

You might get a shot at them in the spring as they are making their run up river if water conditions are right. When it rains in the fall they get active too.

I have heard about this fishery for many years. Many customers have told me stories about them in several rivers.

CA DF&G use to take snorkeling surveys on the Middle Fork of the Eel River. A friend of our, Ricardo?, worked on that project and reported it to us some years ago.

I think it has averaged population is about 1,500 fish that over-summer in the Middle Fork.

Oregon Salmon's (Galen Geller's) father use to belong to a small group who had a small piece of property on the middle fork ~60 years ago so they could fish those Steelhead. Mr Geller told use stories of catching those fish on bait-casting reels before anyone here was born.

[wjorg]

I spent 5/7 weekends in a row there last year. Got none. The one I finally saw I couldnt bring myself to harass.

1500 fish? Maybe 250....

[Covelo]

The returns have not been at 1500 since 1987. From 2003-2005 the returns were 626-731 fish. Flows (snow pack) dictate the fishery. These fish fly upstream. Have seen them to 15 lbs, but typically 8-9 lbs. Big enough :) Where they over summer is off limits to fishing, but is awesome to see with a mask and snorkel.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Thanks guys for the great info..........my info is very old from hearing about it over the counter for decades.

Hopefully these fish will be left along and be there forever.