River Access

[Rossflyguy]

Anyone know where river access is for putting in and taking out on the Mattole? I was referred to call Eureka Fly shop but they've been shut down for awhile. Looks like most of the river is privately owned. Wondering if I need a key or special access on the river. Any help much appreciated.

[avidangler]

Might be able to put in a A.W. Way county park. If I remember correctly it's right on the river. Cool stream.

[Larry S]

Fished it some years ago with a guide. Remember putting in at public access on north side and taking out
on the south. Do you have the StreamTime map? That should show them.
Best,
Larry S

[Rossflyguy]

Where can I get a stream time map?

[Bob Smith]

You can buy direct or I am sure your local fly shop has them: http://www.streamtime.com/publications.htm

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

StreamTime maps are old now but are still the best thing going.

Sometime you can get someone at a fly shop to mark some good access points for you.

We usually have them at Kiene's but call the fly shops first to see if they have one for you.

[mannamedstan]

http://humboldtfish.com/mattole-river-map/

Might be some help. It has been accurate from my experience.

Best of luck

[Larry S]

Rossflyguy,
Sent you a PM.
Larry S

[noyo55]

On the Mattole there are 4 basic drifts. The first is at Honeydew across ffrom the store. The take out is just downstream from the Mattole High School serviced by a road that crosses the river.This is also the put in for the second drift which terminates at the County Park, Phillip a Way Park. Put in here also, the drift terminates at the town of Petrolia, the "Willow Run"about 1/2 mile above the Petrolia Bridge or the mouth of the North Fork which is about a mile down stream. Last drift starts at either Petrolia or the North Fork and ends at the boundary at the top of the lagoon.I don't remember the side road names as I have been fishing here since 1956 and just know where everything is.

[Larry S]

noyo55,
Great info; think rossflyguy bought the StreamTime map, so, he'll be able to reference your spots.
Is the Ten Mile still open? I think the estuary and beach is closed. I fished it a few times in the 70's and
80's. Had to get a permit from the logging folks, I think. What a beautiful, placid stream!
We must be of the same vintage; high school grad 1956. First fished the Smith in 1968; wish it had been
10 years earlier.
Best to you and have a great 2019.
Larry S
Sun Diego

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

On the Mattole there are 4 basic drifts. The first is at Honeydew across ffrom the store. The take out is just downstream from the Mattole High School serviced by a road that crosses the river.This is also the put in for the second drift which terminates at the County Park, Phillip a Way Park. Put in here also, the drift terminates at the town of Petrolia, the "Willow Run"about 1/2 mile above the Petrolia Bridge or the mouth of the North Fork which is about a mile down stream. Last drift starts at either Petrolia or the North Fork and ends at the boundary at the top of the lagoon.I don't remember the side road names as I have been fishing here since 1956 and just know where everything is.

Powerful stuff noyo55...........thanks.

[Edward]

On the Mattole there are 4 basic drifts. The first is at Honeydew across ffrom the store. The take out is just downstream from the Mattole High School serviced by a road that crosses the river.This is also the put in for the second drift which terminates at the County Park, Phillip a Way Park. Put in here also, the drift terminates at the town of Petrolia, the "Willow Run"about 1/2 mile above the Petrolia Bridge or the mouth of the North Fork which is about a mile down stream. Last drift starts at either Petrolia or the North Fork and ends at the boundary at the top of the lagoon.I don't remember the side road names as I have been fishing here since 1956 and just know where everything is.


Ive really wanted to try out the mattole for a while now but I don't have a boat. Wade access looks pretty sparse. Any suggestion of areas with good wade access? It looks decent closer to the mouth, but I'd guess my timing would have to be perfect for that. Any decent access points upstream? Ive got a day off in a few weeks and was just going to pray it looks good then.

[avidangler]

I have wade fished up in honeydew and down off lighthouse road in the lower river,and that road in petrolia that goes up above that bridge there. The name escapes me. There are maps ,a stream time map exists for the mattole.

[Bob Laskodi]

There is very limited walk/wade access on the Mattole. There are a few spots though, and the Streamtime map shows them. Most of those are well known and have a lot of fishing pressure. Most of the Mattole is private property and since the main economic activity up there is growing dope, they don't take to kindly to strangers trespassing on their land. I'm lucky, a friend has riverfront property that I can launch from, and floating is the best way to access it. I've never had a problem while floating, but I don't stop and fish from the bank any place I see irrigation pipes going to the river.

[Edward]

I have wade fished up in honeydew and down off lighthouse road in the lower river,and that road in petrolia that goes up above that bridge there. The name escapes me. There are maps ,a stream time map exists for the mattole.

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it. Yea it looked pretty tough for wading. I have the stream time map somewhere I just wanted to get the feel about the access from someone thats been there. I was planning to mainly fish the eel but wanted to stop by for a bit.

Thanks again for the info,
Edward

[Trouter925]

I fished around Richardson this morning. Green with about 2' vis. Pushy. Maybe a little higher than ideal for swinging flies. The rain was just getting going so I imagine blown by end of weekend. There is a gully dumping mud into the S Fork Eel just above Standish-Hickey so it's muddy from there down a couple miles. The guide I was with yesterday said the Mattole is one of the first rivers to blow out and one of the last to clear. Not trying to discourage you, just need a break in the weather. Good luck.