Kenny Priest


CA Salmon Anglers Bracing for Another Bad Year
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, MARCH 14, 2024



After a sometimes tense-filled week of meetings in Fresno, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) released its ocean and inland salmon season options Monday. The PFMC took a precautionary approach in setting the season alternatives, though some would argue they didn’t error on the side of caution enough. While more Chinook salmon returned from the ocean to spawn last year...
Full Story 
Lean Times Continue for CA Salmon Anglers
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, MARCH 7, 2024



Following a year of a complete salmon shutdown across the board, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) is again taking a precautionary approach in setting the 2024 ocean salmon seasons, even though ocean abundance forecasts have increased over the prior year for both the Sacramento River and Klamath River Fall Chinook. When the PFMC released its first, and not final, ocean...
Full Story 
The main Eel was starting to turn green Wednesday, but was big
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, FEBRUARY 29, 2024

Eel River

The main Eel was starting to turn green Wednesday, but was big. Thursday’s rain dashed any hopes of the river dropping into shape anytime soon. Flows are predicted to reach 43,000 cfs at Scotia by Saturday morning. Will need a couple weeks of dry weather before it drops into fishable shape.
Salmon Numbers Up Slightly, But Closures Still Likely
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, FEBRUARY 29, 2024



If the forecasts from Wednesday’s Oregon Ocean Salmon Industry Group Preseason Planning Meeting are accurate, we could be in for another lean year when it comes to Chinook salmon fishing along the California coast. It could also result in another complete ocean and river closure to Chinook fishing state-wide in an effort to protect Chinook stocks. Though the ocean abundance...
Full Story 
Klamath Kings Exceed Run Size Projections in 2023
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, FEBRUARY 22, 2024



The Pacific Fishery Management Council released its “Review of 2023 Ocean Salmon Fisheries” report last week and the news was better than expected. Based on an ocean abundance of 102,500 Klamath River fall Chinook thought to be swimming in the ocean last fall, forecasters predicted roughly 39,858 adults would return to the river. Fortunately, the run was a little more...
Full Story 
Weather Window Slammed Shut – More Rain on the Way
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, FEBRUARY 15, 2024



What was shaping up as a couple day window for some other coastal rivers to finally drop into shape, has been firmly slammed shut. The rain that began Wednesday dashed all hopes of being able to finally drift the South Fork Eel, Van Duzen and Mad. So once again, we are back to high and muddy water. And these series...
Full Story 
Page 1