Jeff Fisher
01-23-2011, 09:53 AM
SF Eel -
Before I moved up here, I always gazed in awe of the pictures I'd seen of the jade green South Fork Eel running through old growth redwood forests and full of fresh chrome steelhead. Well, it became a reality on Saturday.
Driving along the Avenue, the first glimpses of the river get your juices flowing. I kept thinking, "Today is the day!" Started out just downstream of Miranda. Nothing happening there. Headed downstream to a spot a couple miles upriver from Meyers Flat. And about 10 casts in.......it finally happened! Tap, tap, tap.......WHAM!!!
My first northcoast adult steelhead. Turned out to be a fresh bullethead hen about 5-6lbs (24-25" or so). She grabbed a small Popsicle at the very end of the drift as I was twitching the fly on the dangle. Jumped 3 or 4 times and went on several long runs. Needless to say, it was pretty exciting! Anyway......that was the only fish I got, but it I'll never forget it.
Other folks on the river I came across weren't having much luck. However, there weren't that many people out suprisingly. I probably saw 15 people all day. Probably more people up by Garberville. I only heard of two other fish caught.
Other rivers.......on the way home, the main Eel looked to be still a little brownish, but definitely fishable. The Van Duzen looked to be perfect. I'm sure the Mad is in great shape, but expect huge crowds. SF Eel will be absolutely perfect all next week into next weekend. No rain in sight. I chatted with Mike at the Eureka Flyshop on Friday for a bit. He said the Mattole was fishing really good too. Weather has been gorgeous up here lately. Bring the sunscreen.
~J
Before I moved up here, I always gazed in awe of the pictures I'd seen of the jade green South Fork Eel running through old growth redwood forests and full of fresh chrome steelhead. Well, it became a reality on Saturday.
Driving along the Avenue, the first glimpses of the river get your juices flowing. I kept thinking, "Today is the day!" Started out just downstream of Miranda. Nothing happening there. Headed downstream to a spot a couple miles upriver from Meyers Flat. And about 10 casts in.......it finally happened! Tap, tap, tap.......WHAM!!!
My first northcoast adult steelhead. Turned out to be a fresh bullethead hen about 5-6lbs (24-25" or so). She grabbed a small Popsicle at the very end of the drift as I was twitching the fly on the dangle. Jumped 3 or 4 times and went on several long runs. Needless to say, it was pretty exciting! Anyway......that was the only fish I got, but it I'll never forget it.
Other folks on the river I came across weren't having much luck. However, there weren't that many people out suprisingly. I probably saw 15 people all day. Probably more people up by Garberville. I only heard of two other fish caught.
Other rivers.......on the way home, the main Eel looked to be still a little brownish, but definitely fishable. The Van Duzen looked to be perfect. I'm sure the Mad is in great shape, but expect huge crowds. SF Eel will be absolutely perfect all next week into next weekend. No rain in sight. I chatted with Mike at the Eureka Flyshop on Friday for a bit. He said the Mattole was fishing really good too. Weather has been gorgeous up here lately. Bring the sunscreen.
~J