Hope … Doesn't , Disappoint … The Mighty Eel will Come Back / with all the Help from the Ghosts , that Grew up Wading this Holy Water … Who Learned to Love these Straight Fish … Our NorthWest Game Fish …
catch and release is good and all, but we should be able to keep at least one a trip. Be responsible and let them live and keep coming but theres no point in fishing if you cant keep at least one.
I have hooked half pounders on the Eel that were attacked and near swallowed by squawfish. Just break them off. I have also hooked and landed squawfish. Dragged them up on the bar, and left them there to die.
I've been fly fishing the Eel for 25 years, and if people are interested (@morrowproduction), two great places to start are two books: Clark C. Van Fleet's "Steelhead to a Fly," and Russell Chatham's "The Angler's Coast." Both are out of print, and "Steelhead to a Fly" is really hard to find, but well worth it (try Adams Angling). Many common steelhead flies (Fall Favorite), techniques, and even steelhead gear (shooting heads) were invented or refined just to fish the Eel. As Chatham said, it was the one-time "greatest salmon and steelhead river in the world." Maybe you can get ahold of an old article I wrote for Wild Steelhead and Salmon magazine that tried to summarize a lot of information about the Eel (winter, 1998). Maybe 15 Years ago my friends and I tried to urge the state of California to initiate catch and release of all wild steelhead in the state, before the federal government, specifically NMFS, listed all regions as "threatened or extinct" and shut down all fishing. It was a simple request and we were stunned that we were fought by nearly everyone, including many we thought were our allies. Eventually, due to the pressure from NMFS, the regulations were put in place by the Gray Davis administration and thankfully remain today. @pugiist102 you did not waste your time fishing the Trinity; I hope you had some great days there. The Eel is a spate stream, where conditions are completely dependent on rainfall and timing is everything, and the fish therefore come in and out very quickly, particularly the South Fork run, and are very tough to take on the fly. Fish headed down stream, or "downstreamers" are often caught in chrome condition. It is the most difficult river I have fished (other than the Smith), but also my favorite. I believe this is an excellent video and these anglers were more than careful and fair with their landing of the fish. Their technique is a common "beaching" technique that is handled by these fish and while not perfect, is hardly equivalent to dragging them over the rocks. Where I would disagree with the authors is their claim that the Eel is currently robust and recovering. A read through the historical literature shows that we have a long way to go before this happens. Some good steady rain for the next years will be very helpful : ).
Serious Steelheaders spend the summer chasing Western Pikeminnow, aka "squawfish". The largest of the minnow family, these ambush predators are non-native, voracious, and can reach 30-45 inches in length. Take out one breeding hen and save a few thousand steelhead fry per Pikeminnow fry. These fish drop lots of eggs, thousands per spawn. CADFG frequently posts bounties for Pikeminnow with a grand prize (usually a Quad) to the angler with the largest fish, and 2-5 dollars per Pikeminnow over 10". The Russian and Eel rivers are usually where it's at. Both are dammed at some point and prior to damming these rivers they historically went sub-surface during the dry summers. Something a local real estate/ plumbing supply magnate like Steve Kelly should know.
Excellent work my friend =p Loved the way this was presented, great audio choices too =p
I've only rod n reel fished for steelhead the last 6 years, I would love to be introduced to the fly fishing world of steelhead. I just filmed a little video we did in Humboldt count on the Madd River this last January.
You guys got Yvon Chouinard out there with you?!?! (8:46) What a legend. I'd love to meet that guy on the river some day.
Wow guys, nice vid. Beautiful fish!
I loved fishing the Northern areas in California and now I live in the U.P of Michigan, pretty nice fishin up her as well, thanks for a great one.
👍👍
tight lines bro!!
And also no steelhead run will ever the top the terrace/Smithers area
Ok so I will never hate on wild steelhead but why are they so small and skinny where I come fork out steelhead are like 6lbs on average
That was a beautifully shot video!
Hope … Doesn't , Disappoint … The Mighty Eel will Come Back / with all the Help from the Ghosts , that Grew up Wading this Holy Water … Who Learned to Love these Straight Fish … Our NorthWest Game Fish …
catch and release is good and all, but we should be able to keep at least one a trip. Be responsible and let them live and keep coming but theres no point in fishing if you cant keep at least one.
How did you come across Yvon Chouinard? Did you invite him to a fishing trip with you or did he just appear there?
I have hooked half pounders on the Eel that were attacked and near swallowed by squawfish. Just break them off. I have also hooked and landed squawfish. Dragged them up on the bar, and left them there to die.
Local of Arcata for 43 years.
Please make more videos like this. thank you.
I've been fly fishing the Eel for 25 years, and if people are interested (@morrowproduction), two great places to start are two books: Clark C. Van Fleet's "Steelhead to a Fly," and Russell Chatham's "The Angler's Coast." Both are out of print, and "Steelhead to a Fly" is really hard to find, but well worth it (try Adams Angling). Many common steelhead flies (Fall Favorite), techniques, and even steelhead gear (shooting heads) were invented or refined just to fish the Eel. As Chatham said, it was the one-time "greatest salmon and steelhead river in the world." Maybe you can get ahold of an old article I wrote for Wild Steelhead and Salmon magazine that tried to summarize a lot of information about the Eel (winter, 1998). Maybe 15 Years ago my friends and I tried to urge the state of California to initiate catch and release of all wild steelhead in the state, before the federal government, specifically NMFS, listed all regions as "threatened or extinct" and shut down all fishing. It was a simple request and we were stunned that we were fought by nearly everyone, including many we thought were our allies. Eventually, due to the pressure from NMFS, the regulations were put in place by the Gray Davis administration and thankfully remain today. @pugiist102 you did not waste your time fishing the Trinity; I hope you had some great days there. The Eel is a spate stream, where conditions are completely dependent on rainfall and timing is everything, and the fish therefore come in and out very quickly, particularly the South Fork run, and are very tough to take on the fly. Fish headed down stream, or "downstreamers" are often caught in chrome condition. It is the most difficult river I have fished (other than the Smith), but also my favorite. I believe this is an excellent video and these anglers were more than careful and fair with their landing of the fish. Their technique is a common "beaching" technique that is handled by these fish and while not perfect, is hardly equivalent to dragging them over the rocks. Where I would disagree with the authors is their claim that the Eel is currently robust and recovering. A read through the historical literature shows that we have a long way to go before this happens. Some good steady rain for the next years will be very helpful : ).
When I lived in SF, I wasted my time fishing the Trinity. Should've spent the few extra hours driving to the Eel.
great video men
Nice work guys.. Very solid stuff. Great message to be getting out there..
Serious Steelheaders spend the summer chasing Western Pikeminnow, aka "squawfish". The largest of the minnow family, these ambush predators are non-native, voracious, and can reach 30-45 inches in length. Take out one breeding hen and save a few thousand steelhead fry per Pikeminnow fry. These fish drop lots of eggs, thousands per spawn. CADFG frequently posts bounties for Pikeminnow with a grand prize (usually a Quad) to the angler with the largest fish, and 2-5 dollars per Pikeminnow over 10". The Russian and Eel rivers are usually where it's at. Both are dammed at some point and prior to damming these rivers they historically went sub-surface during the dry summers. Something a local real estate/ plumbing supply magnate like Steve Kelly should know.
How about we stop shipping water to southern CA, and build desalinization plants down there?
the eel dried up
Sweet video.
why not net the fish rather than dragging it on the rocks!
Whats better for the eel river a 7wt or a 8wt switch
Excellent work my friend =p Loved the way this was presented, great audio choices too =p
I've only rod n reel fished for steelhead the last 6 years, I would love to be introduced to the fly fishing world of steelhead.
I just filmed a little video we did in Humboldt count on the Madd River this last January.
Thank you for the share!! Amazing fish,beautiful scenery and hella cool fellas.thank you