Mattole lodging...

[Steelin' Time]

Anybody know of any decent lodging along the Mattole? Last time I stayed the night over there was about 5 seasons ago and that place was marginal at best. In recent years, I stay in Garberville and make the drive over each day I want to fish the Mattole. I know some folks take a camper or 5th wheel and set up @ A.W. Way Park, but I don't have a camper any longer.

If you know of any available lodging, please let me know. I hope to head over to the Mattole next week for a few days on my way North to fish Southern Oregon rivers. Thank you!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

You might call the Eureka Fly Shop?

(707) 444-2000

[slim]

Last time I was in the area I stayed at the Mattloe River Resort and Organic Farms. It is about 5 minutes from Honeydew. It is anything but fancy, but clean and rustic. I think it was about $50/nite. I couldn't find my info. on it but I'm sure you can Google it and get the number.
Good luck-sweet river!
slim

[Steelin' Time]

Bill: Thanks for the idea of phoning the local fly shop and for the phone #.

Slim: How recent was your stay at the Mattole River Resort? I know they used to advertise quite often in STS magazine, but that goes back a dozen years or more. I know they had a fire in one or more units 3-5 years ago. I talked with some Steelheaders who stayed there after that event and the said the property was run down. Things may have been cleaned up again in recent years. I don't need anything fancy by any means, just clean and functional. The last place I stayed in Petrolia had the bed in the kitchen! Lost Coast Lodge, if I remember the name correctly. The round trip from Garberville eats up good sleeping time in the early, early morning and good relaxing time in the evening. As far as the Mattole being "sweet", that is so true! It doesn't fish many days in a normal year, but those fish are truly loco. Also, did MRR offer a shuttle service when you were there? I heard from somebody that they would shuttle for overnigt guests. Thanks for your input.

[slim]

Hey ST
I stayed at the MRR two years ago. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was functional. Clean bed, operating toilet, kitchenette, but it is rustic! It was all I needed. Not sure if they offer a shuttle-I didn't have watercraft so I didn't ask but I sure will this year if I get up that way-good to know.
I'd much rather stay in te valley than over the hill in Garberville cuz like you said-too long a drive in the morn.
Good luck if you get there-I'd love to hear how it goes if you get the chance.
Thanks
slim

[slim]

Whoops-The place I stayed was the Mattole River Organic Farms & Country Cabins-same as MRR?? I don't know if it is the same place??!!
Here is there # (800) 845-4607

[Steelin' Time]

Slim,
I called up to Honeydew. Thanks for the number. Spoke with the owner and the Organic Farms is the old MRR. Seemed like a nice fellow and he gave me some good info. I'm hoping to make it up to the Mattole mid-week next week for a few days. I've never caught a Steelie swinging a fly, so if the conditions are good I hope to put in some time trying to learn that technique. Thanks again!

[bigtj]

The Mattole is one of the last to clear so check the hydrograph. It's too bad it used to run clear but a big slide in the 90's put an end to that. Also it tends to be a later-season affair, the peak of the run is February/March if I remember correctly. Be prepared for some HOT fish I've broken off fish on 10 lb maxima on that river (about 15 lb test in reality).

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I heard that a local recommends coming in mid-Feb for the best timing on the Mattole.

[Steelin' Time]

Bigtj & Bill,
Thank you both for the input on run timing on the Mattole. If the peak of the run is in February, that will give me an excuse to swing back by the Mattole on my way North in February! I was fishing the Mattole on the last day of the season, March 31st, about 5 years ago and had a nice conversation with Jim Herbst, Eel River Outfitters. Jim said that before the March 31st deadline went into effect (has that been 10 years already?), he used to regularly catch chrome, uprun fish clear through the month of April on the Mattole. Anyway, thanks again for the help. The way things are shaping up, I hope to drive up next Wednesday and fish the Mattole for 2 or 3 days on my North.

[bigtj]

Good luck let us know how it goes! It's a great river for flyfishing. There should be plenty of fish around and the nice thing about the front side of the season is the fish you run into will be CHROME and HOT!!! Have a blast.