Kenny Priest

Smith and Chetco full of bright steelhead
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, JANUARY 26, 2017

After what seems like a couple months of solid rain, things are finally looking up for North Coast steelhead anglers. Not only are the Smith and Chetco in pristine condition following the latest round of storms, but the rest of the coastal rivers are dropping quickly as well. The South Fork Eel, Van Duzen, and the Mad could all be...
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Storms slow solid steelhead action on Smith, Chetco
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, JANUARY 18, 2017
Smith River

North Coast steelhead anglers breathed a collective sigh of relief this week as the first real push of winter steelhead entered the Smith and Chetco rivers. The unusually slow start had anglers a little nervous. Were we finally seeing the effects of the drought? Were the steelhead waiting out the huge river flows? Could be a little of both, but...
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Record rains blow out North Coast rivers
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, JANUARY 12, 2017
Smith River

The parade of storms that pounded the North Coast earlier this week pushed some of our coastal rivers above flood stage, and the ones that didn’t flood, were right on the verge. We haven’t seen this much water flowing in our rivers since the floods of 97’, at least that’s what I’ve been hearing. Needless to say, our steelhead season...
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Steelhead season off to a slow start
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, JANUARY 4, 2017
Eel River - South Fork

As the North Coast is once again on the verge of being pounded by more wet winter storms, there’s a collective questioning happening amongst anglers. Where are the steelhead? Just about every river has dropped into fishable shape at some point within the last couple weeks, but the fish have yet to show in any of the rivers in good...
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Plenty of green water for steelhead anglers
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, DECEMBER 28, 2016
Eel River - South Fork

If you’re looking to get on the water this weekend and chase some winter steelhead, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a fishable river. Just about every coastal river will be some shade of green — and likely fishable — come Saturday morning. This many green river options doesn’t happen often, and I’m having a hard time thinking of any...
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Changes await 2017 saltwater anglers
Kenny Priest
by Kenny Priest, DECEMBER 21, 2016
Eureka Coast

The California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife is proposing new saltwater regulatory changes to the Northern Management Area, which runs from Cape Mendocino to the Oregon border for 2017. These changes were established to bring state law into conformance with federal law for groundfish and other federally managed species. The changes — some good, some not so good — will...
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