Kenny Priest

Eel south looking good
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, MARCH 16, 2017
Eel River - South Fork

The Miranda area of the South Fork and above is in perfect shape. Flows were right around 1,700 cfs on the Miranda gauge and dropping slowly. Saturday’s rain could blow if out for a few days, but more rain is in store for early next week. Thursday through Saturday is the time to be there.

Eel turning colors
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, MARCH 16, 2017
Eel River

Still running at 12,000 cfs as of Wednesday, the main stem is dropping and starting to turn olive, but won’t likely be fishable prior to the next round of storms.

Smith river steelhead
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, MARCH 16, 2017
Smith River

The Smith is still full of fresh steelhead reports guide Mike Coopman. He said, “We’ve been averaging anywhere from three to five fresh steelhead a day this week. The downers have yet to show up in any numbers, it’s been pretty amazing. With the rain on Wednesday, we should get a little bump in the flows but the river should...
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Chetco/Elk/Sixes
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, MARCH 16, 2017
Chetco River

“The Chetco came back into shape on Monday, and has been fishing well for a mix of bright steelhead and spawned out fish heading back to the ocean,” said Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “Just a handful of boats are on the river each day right now, so the fishing is pretty good. There are a lot of downers...
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Shelter Cove/Fort Bragg salmon season opens April 1
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, MARCH 16, 2017
Shelter Cove

The balance of the west coast, from the Mexico border to the Columbia River, will also have very limited ocean salmon opportunities. The Shelter Cove and Fort Bragg area, which runs from Horse Mt. to Point Arena, will open on April 1. Season lengths and end dates are still up for debate. The three alternatives on the table are: 1. April...
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SHUTDOWN! — No ocean kings within KMZ in 2017
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, MARCH 15, 2017
Klamath River

The Pacific Fishery Management Council on Monday provided three options for recreational salmon fishing within the Klamath Management Zone. Unfortunately, all three included the words “closed.” In an unprecedented decision, the PFMC was left with little choice but to close the recreational salmon fishing this season from Humbug Mt. in Oregon south to Horse Mt. near Shelter Cove. The driving...
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