My Outdoor Buddy

Your Source for Outdoor Adventure

Northern California and Southern Oregon

Headline News from Northern California & Southern Oregon

Being in the right place at the right time gives us the chance to see a much larger picture. Photo by Jon Baiocchi

Being in the right place at the right time gives us the chance to see a much larger picture. Photo by Jon Baiocchi

Eel faces more flow and rain
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, MARCH 2, 2017
Eel River

The main Eel is still big and brown, and not close to being fishable. As of Wednesday, flows on the Scotia gauge were roughly 11,500 cfs. With more rain on the way, it’s predicted to jump back to 27,000 cfs by Monday morning.

South Fork looking to be fishable
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, MARCH 2, 2017
Eel River - South Fork

As of Wednesday, the South Fork was hovering just under 2,500 cfs on the Miranda gauge and dropping. According to reports, the water is nice and green in the Leggett area, and starting to get that way below Benbow. It should be fishable around Redway on Thursday and Friday, but is forecasted to blow out again sometime Saturday morning.

Smith River kicks out steelhead
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, MARCH 2, 2017
Smith River

The Smith continues to kick out fresh, quality steelhead. Boats drifting the forks to Ruby are getting up to five hookups per trip. With rain back in the forecast starting Friday, the Smith will likely blow out on Saturday. It’s predicted to peak at just under 13-feet early Sunday morning. If the color holds, it could be plunkable on Sunday.

Chetco/Elk/Sixes rivers update
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, MARCH 2, 2017
Chetco River

“The Chetco has fished well since last Friday,” said Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “During the first day of the Rowdy Creek derby, the upper section of the Chetco produced most of the fish. By Saturday the entire river fished well. Fishing continued to be good Monday and Tuesday, although a slide above the South Fork has dirtied up...
Full Story

Cow Decoy for Big Game and Turkey Hunting?
California Outdoors Q&A
Carrie Wilson, MARCH 2, 2017

Question: There is a manufacturer of decoys that attach to the front of a bow gun for hunting big game and turkeys. They are similar to the Montana style decoys but with a frontal profile blocking the hunter’s profile while he aims and shoots though the large center hole. The decoys come in the frontal shape of a bovine cow, a...
Full Story

2017 salmon forecasts point to reduced fishing opportunities
by CDFW, MARCH 2, 2017
Sacramento River

Commercial and sport anglers have received unwelcome news on the predicted return of Chinook salmon this year to California waters. State and federal fishery scientists presented updates on the numbers of spawning Chinook and the expected abundance for the upcoming fishing season at the annual Ocean Salmon Information Meeting held in Santa Rosa today. Forecasts suggest there are 230,700 Sacramento River...
Full Story