Coastal rivers timing

[PV_Premier]

This rain has me antsy and watching the gauges at the coast, happy to see them rising quickly just in time for a two week break from work at the end of this month.

What’s the conventional wisdom on timing for the major rivers?

Russian - ready now(?)
Gualala - Christmas-ish?
Navarro - same?
Mattole- same?
Redwood - Jan/Feb?
Eel/SF and main stem - Dec?
VD - ??
Smith - as soon as it drops and clears?
Chetco - ??

[Larry S]

PV,
Check out "North Coast Fishing" by Kenny Priest.
You can find it in the Eureka Times Standard;
they'll block you after several looks. Also, try
https://fishingthenorthcoast.com/. Mattole doesn't
open until Jan 1, I believe. Enjoy the experience!
Fortunately I was able to fish many of those starting
in the late 1960's and regret not being there 10 -20
years earlier.
IMHO, if the Smith is at or below 7-feet in the park,
it's too low and clear.
Best,
Larry S
Sun Diego

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Dec-Feb?

A guy told me that there use to be a camp host at a camp ground near the Matole river who told him mid-February, on average, was his best guess. He said by then the water had soaked in an there was a decent flow.

Christmas use to be legendary on the Gualala and Garcia rivers.

Mike at the Eureka Fly Shop told me the Smith was usually too clear for fly fishing.

Walt Bennett said if the locals with roe were not catching it was time for everyone to go home.

Walt also told me if there are fish in a river you will see them rolling at times.

Tide water fish see to move and bit early and late and at a tide change.

Try to get some Intel but just go because it is beautiful on the coast and you will learn something every time you go.


Be sure to watch the movie, "Rivers of a Lost Coast" every winter.

https://vimeo.com/4499658