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Northern California and Southern Oregon
Kenny Priest
Mad River Tackle & FeelFree Kayaks owner Jens Hansen, along with a few friends, had a banner day catching redtail perch at Stone Lagoon Beach last week. Spring is typically when the redtail action heats up along the North Coast, but they can be caught year-around if the conditions are right.
The Mad is still big and brown, flowing at just over 8,000 cfs on Wednesday. With water coming over the Ruth spillway, it’s likely done for the season.
Flowing at just above 3,200 cfs on Wednesday, it’s doesn’t look like it will drop down to a fishable shape before the next round of rain rolls in early next week.
As of Wednesday, flows were still hovering around 10,000 cfs on the Miranda gauge and dropping. If the rain doesn’t fall as forecasted early next week, it could be fishable by late next week.
Still running at 45,000 cfs as of Wednesday, the main stem is dropping quickly and could possibly fish next weekend barring any rainfall next week.
Like the Chetco, the Smith should be in prime shape this weekend. Typical of March, expect to see some fresh fish around with plenty of downers to bend the rod.
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