The Fishing Report: Must be the season of the witch

This has got to be the strangest Steelhead season I can ever remember. Back in the 70’s when the “D” word was a common topic at the dinner table I was only fishing in the salt water. My understanding was that the fishing was horrible. There was no hatchery program and the river was a dessert. Then in 1983 Warm Springs Dam was finished and along with it the Hatchery to provide angler mitigation for the loss of habitat and subsequent loss of fish. Since then, we have had rainfalls sufficient to fill the reservoirs and the hatchery has filled the rivers with Steelhead. Often our biggest problem was having too much rain and not having it rain long enough so the rivers would clear so we could fish.
But this season is turning into something very different. No significant rainfall at this point of the season to speak of. In fact less than half of what would be considered normal. And yet, we are getting a very solid return of fish and steelhead fishermen up and down the coast are reaping the rewards of a very good season. But there are going to be consequences. A lot of these wild fish are moving up the river only to find less than adequate flows for spawning in their natal creeks saving and excepting the Hatchery ladder. And as such, they will hole up waiting for the rivers to rise and making them vulnerable to all predators not just man. In addition their biological clocks at some point ring an alarm, that in spite of low flows, force them to find any reasonable opportunity to spawn putting their efforts to reproduce in jeopardy.
So this year we have a two witch season. We have the good witch season (White hat,Glinda) which is good for the anglers and the bad witch (“Wicked Witch,” black hat, Elephaba, had to look it up) season which is bad for the fish could spell problems for seasons to come. Which witch is which, will only be decided in the seasons to come.
Fishing on the Russian remains good to great! Low flows and slightly colored water made last weekend one the best in the last month or so. The River fished from Ukiah all the way down to Steelhead Beach and many tales of fish to 15 pounds were reported. The Garcia and Gualala, while both very low, also had large numbers of steelhead in the holes. One angler reported hooking 7 fish in one hole on the Garcia on Saturday using a float. Northern rivers weren’t fishing well except the Smith which continues to kick out good numbers despite less than ideal conditions.
Rick Powers reported that he is still getting quality crab to go with his sand dab combos. In addition while fishing for sand dabs in the deep they have caught several Salmon (all released). This is starting to give further evidence that this season’s ocean salmon season is going to be a good one. Currently we know that the federal season will open out past the 3 mile line April 7th with either a 20” or 24” minimum size. Recent calculations based on the jack returns are indicating a record number of Salmon this year. Make your reservations early.
For more fishing reports and/or information please contact Hunt Conrad at Prospect Mortgage, 431-9715.