Fly Fishing for Steelhead in Pescadero Creek (San Mateo county)

[Nicole Lazarus]

I am new to this forum and new to Steelhead fishing. I live near Pescadero Creek which opens for fishing from Dec to March. Does anyone have any tips for fishing this water? I am not new to fly fishing but new to fishing water where migrating fish enter the river system from the ocean and unfamiliar with fishing when the tide is moving in one direction and the river is flowing the opposite. I have been trying to figure it out and trying to find information online but havent found the information that is pertinent. So I turn to you all. Any tips and tricks?

There is a large estuary before the water turns to river. The fish of a thousand casts is a familiar saying. Others say the fish are either there or they arent, they are feeding or they arent. Well, isnt that always the case. But increasing one’s odds of being at the right place at the right time would at least get me into the game.

Any guidance would be appreciated!

Nicole Lazarus

[DPLee]

In the late 1800’s, similar to San Gregorio Creek, a commercial fishery existed on Pescadero Creek to harvest steelhead and Coho salmon in the late fall and winter months. Eventually overfishing and reduction of salmon runs led to an end of the commercial fishery. In the late 1800’s, Pescadero Creek also had a reputation as an excellent trout fishing location.

Pescadero Creek provided good winter steelhead fly fishing in the 1960’s through the 1970’s. In the mid-1970’s, personnel from the California Department of Fish and Game estimated the annual Pescadero Creek steelhead run was about 1,500 fish of which 400 were harvested in the sport fishery each year. More recently during dry or drought years, low inflows to the upstream marsh of Pescadero and Butano creeks results in development of toxic water conditions. Winter sand bar breaches allow the toxic marsh water to flow into the lagoon resulting in fish kills.

The lagoon and lower section of the creek are located in the 243-acre Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve, a part of Pescadero State Beach. Presently, Pescadero Creek is open to angling from its mouth to Stage Road Bridge at Pescadero, a distance of 2 1/4 miles, from December 1 through March 7; only on Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, legal holidays, opening and closing days; only barbless hooks may be used. Pescadero Creek is subject to low flow fishing restrictions. Like many smaller creeks that support winter steelhead spawning and nursery habitat, Butano Creek is closed to all angling.

From – California Winter Steelhead, Life History and Fly Fishing (2020)

Dennis

[DPLee]

“Fly fishing for winter steelhead in estuaries or slow current pools requires a different presentation than used in moving water. Instead of allowing the fly to swing through the holding water, a cast is made across the pool towards the opposite bank or as far as the angler can cast, and the fly allowed to sink. In some instances, a slight current may slowly swing the fly, leader and line downstream, or even upstream with incoming tides. After the fly reaches the desired fishing depth the fly and line are retrieved by hand.

Anglers have favorite methods for retrieving line. A slow strip is often used, although the retrieve speed may be varied. Some anglers use a hand twist retrieve. The hand twist retrieve is done by grasping line between the line hand’s thumb and first two fingers, then pulling an inch or two of line into the palm of the hand. Next, pulled line is dropped and the wrist rotated so the fingers are back in the original position to repeat the retrieve. Using this method, the fly will be retrieved in a fairly constant speed

Generally, a slow sinking shooting head is most often used when fishing estuary or pools with little or no current. Winter steelhead takes are often slight and may even go undetected. As such, the angler needs to be aware of the slightest movement or change in pressure on the line."

Small flies such as Comets in various colors and shrimp imitations are often effective in these situations.

Dennis

[mogaru]

when I lived in San Mateo in the early 90's I used fish all the coastal streams all the way down to Santa Cruz. San Lorenzo creek was one of my favorites fishing underneath the redwoods walking the railroad tracks and hiking down steep terrain to th best pools. I still have a frame with a picture with a #10 pounder hooked at Scotts creek of hwy 1. I used to fish Pescadero with a friend at the lagoon on the incoming tide. What a great time!.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

During the 50 years that I was involved in retail sales of fishing tackle in Sacramento, I witnessed the decline of Steelhead populations.

I was fortunate to have been taken to Steelhead streams and rivers in California by veteran fly fishers over 50 years ago.

The late Joe Shirshac and Al Perryman took me to some of the best Steelhead rivers and streams at the right time of year.

Back then the numbers of Steelhead were still very good so with their help I was able to catch some nice wild Steelhead.

Today you need to go with a veteran Steelhead fly fisher or a top Steelhead fly fishing guide.

We were very lucky to have lots of Steelhead in the Lower American River, right in Sacramento.


I am very excited about the future of the Klamath River with the removal of 4 dams, even though I might never fish it again.


Most of the top old Steelhead fly fishers are gone now but they had the best of it.


Try to watch the movie, 'Rivers of a Lost Coast', to learn about the demise of the mighty Steelhead, King, and Coho salmon.