Kenny Priest

It’s been nearly three weeks since the last meaningful rainfall, and most coastal rivers are starting to show it. With the exception of the main stem Eel and the Mad, which are both rounding into excellent shape, flows across the region are dropping and water is turning low and clear. While several systems remain fishable, many rivers — particularly the...
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It’s been a solid ten days since we’ve seen any measurable precipitation, and most of the coastal rivers are starting to feel the effects — some in a good way, others not so much. Starting with the positives: the Mattole, South Fork Eel, and Van Duzen are all in great shape right now and should remain fishable through next week. That...
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After a very wet end to the year, the rain has finally shut off and it’s time to watch the rivers drop into fishable shape. The “last hurrah” of rain came earlier this week, and we’re now entering an extended stretch of drier weather — exactly what we’ve been waiting for. Over the next week, most coastal rivers (aside from the...
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The Smith and Chetco have been in great shape this week, and green water was finally on the horizon for some of the other coastal rivers. Unfortunately, that’s all about to change — again. Mother Nature is again hitting the reset button, putting rivers back on the rise and erasing about a week and a half of progress toward fishable...
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If you’re looking to tangle with your first coastal winter steelhead between now and the end of the year, your options will likely be limited to the Smith River. It’s currently the only river on the coast running green and fishable, and it’s expected to remain that way as the region stays locked into a wet weather pattern over the...
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Winter steelhead season has been slow to ignite on the North Coast, but that’s about to change. A series of storm systems is lining up over the Pacific, and the impacts could be significant beginning next week and beyond. According to the National Weather Service, rain is expected to arrive Monday and persist for several days, with a few inches forecast...
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