NorCal Steelhead
The Rivers
Smith River: The last undammed major steelhead river in California, the Smith and its tributaries, the Middle and South forks, together offer 300 river miles nationally designated as Wild and Scenic. The Smith has the largest wild steelhead in California, averaging 12 to 18 pounds, with specimens weighing more than 20 pounds taken on the fly every season—December through March.
Heavy winter storms can blow out the Smith, but of all the coastal rivers, it’s usually the first to become fishable after a big storm.
The most popular stretch lies between the U.S. Route 101 and U.S. 199 bridges. California 197 parallels the river, and the productive riffles and tailouts along this road give up some of the heaviest steelhead in California. Campgrounds, including those at historic Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park, as well as facilities and other river access points are available near the town of Hiouchi.
Klamath River: Once the king of California salmon and steelhead rivers, the Klamath has been dammed—with water-rights litigation and poor salmon returns. Still, the Klamath remains a great steelhead river through its 200-plus river miles from Iron Gate Dam, near the Oregon border, downstream to the California c
oast.
The river is known for its “half-pounders”—sexually immature steelhead of 14 to 18 inches (up to 2½ pounds)—that return to the river by the thousands and provide exceptionally acrobatic battles. There are also healthy runs of adult steelhead in the 3- to 8-pound range that coincide with the half-pounder runs.
The first half-pounders come into the river in July, with the peak of the early-season run in August and September. From late summer through March, steelhead are constantly moving upriver, congregating in the middle and upper sections. Winter storms blow out the lower and middle sections for long periods, but the upper Klamath typically remains fishable all winter.
The lower section from Klamath Glen downstream is mostly jet-boat water, with little bank access. There is good wading access in the middle section, near the towns of Weichpec, Hoopa, Orleans, Somes Bar, and Happy Camp.
Trinity River: The Trinity is the major tributary of the Klamath River, and with 110 miles of water, it’s another valuable steelhead option. The Trinity gets some of the half-pounder run, but also receives the bulk of the Klamath’s larger adult steelhead. Adult steelhead in the Trinity average 4 to 8 pounds, with the occasional fish pushing the 10-pound mark. Recent years have seen an inexplicable surge in big steelhead, with—by our estimations—nearly one in five fish landed during the 2008/2009 winter season measuring 30 inches or longer.
Steelhead show up in the Trinity early, and October and November through February are the prime fishing months. The lower river (below the North Fork) blows out with big winter storms, but the upper 40 river miles remain mostly fishable through the winter.
There is a smattering of public access in the middle and lower sections of the Trinity, while the upper section receives the most angler attention and has the best access for both wade and drifting anglers. California 299 parallels the river from Junction City to Willow Creek, and smaller roads near the communities of Lewiston and Douglas City provide ample access.
Mad River: Known for its healthy run of 5- to 8-pound hatchery steelhead—and locally produced Steelhead Ale from the Mad River Brewing Company—the Mad still sees a few large (12- to 15-pound) wild steelhead each year. The prime season is January through March.
Many anglers, when they first arrive, think the Mad is blown out. Even in the driest winters, the Mad is always off-color. Excessive logging causes the river to run silty-gray at best, and to turn even muddier at a hint of rain. Fortunately, the river can fish well even in these conditions.
There is good wade access in the town of Blue Lake, off California 299 and U.S. 101 between Blue Lake and Arcata, and along the outskirts of Arcata. The most popular access is near the Mad River Hatchery, 1 mile southeast of the town of Blue Lake.
Eel River: The Eel and its tributaries flow more than 100 miles through some of the most impressive redwood forests in the world. Historically home to some of the strongest runs of large steelhead in California, the Eel is the birthplace of winter fly fishing for steelhead.
Extensive logging near its headwaters, combined with poor water practices, proved disastrous to Eel steelhead in the second half of the 20th century. Fortunately, steelhead are resilient creatures, and the Eel is once again gaining recognition as an exciting steelhead fishery.
The average fish are 8 to 12 pounds, but anglers hook fish over 20 pounds each season. The Eel has never had a hatchery so its fish are wild. The first steelhead arrive with winter storms in December, and most of the best fishing is usually from January through March.
In prime condition, the Eel runs emerald-green, but it is prone to quick blowouts from even modest rains, and it can take from a few days to a few weeks to clear.
Much of the Eel parallels U.S. 101, providing great access to many of the river’s classic pools, tailouts, riffles, and boat launches. Some of the best fly water is on the South Fork near the town of Garberville.
The Eel River got its name from the lamprey eels prevalent in its waters. High populations of these creatures make articulated leeches and string leech patterns, such as Fox’s Sleech, productive throughout the winter season, though Eel River steelhead are known to take traditional steelhead wet flies, as well.
Other rivers: The Mattole, Gualala, Garcia, and Russian Rivers are the southernmost steelhead rivers in the Lost Coast region north of San Francisco. They are short coastal rivers, so their steelhead typically rush in, spawn, and leave quickly. Steelhead typically come into the rivers on high tides, and especially with rising water levels at the start of a storm, and often head back to the ocean before the waters clear. To be successful on these rivers, you need to watch the weather and head to the river as soon as the rain starts.
Copyright © 2012 Intermedia Outdoors
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