Kenny Priest

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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Anglers hooking up on the Mad river
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, MARCH 9, 2017
Mad River

“There’s been a lot more fish around this last week,” said Justin Kelly of Eureka’s RMI Outdoors. “The last week to 10 days the fishing has really improved. Most of the action is coming right in front of the hatchery, with the anglers on the opposite side of the river doing a little better. There aren’t many fresh ones around;...
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Yager Creek could muddy the Van Duzen
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, MARCH 9, 2017
Van Duzen River

Flowing at roughly 3,500 cfs on Wednesday, it too is dropping quickly. It’s predicted to be below 1,000 cfs by late Sunday, and should drop into shape by Monday. The wild card is the amount of dirty water coming from Yager Creek as well as all of the snowmelt.

Eel River takes many turns
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, MARCH 9, 2017
Eel River - South Fork

Eel River (main stem) “The river was headed in the right direction, but yesterday’s rain put the main stem back on the rise,” said Paul Grundman of Rio Dell’s Grundmans Sporting Goods. “On Wednesday, it was big and muddy. It needs a solid 10 days of dry weather before it will get close to fishable.” Eel River (South Fork) The South Fork was at...
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High water on the Smith River
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, MARCH 9, 2017
Smith River

The Smith was blown out on Wednesday, but is on the drop and should be in good shape by the weekend reports guide Mike Coopman. He said, “Before this last high water, the fishing was still really good. We’re still seeing more fresh fish than downers, which is excellent for March. That, however, could change once the water comes back...
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