Northern California Coast 

Pacific Northwest

California’s North Coast Steelhead rivers are legendary. Fly Fishing for steelhead got its start in the early 1900’s on the banks of California’s Eel River. The Eel once hosted some of the largest runs of salmon and steelhead in the world. From the 1960’s to the early 90’s the runs of steelhead on many of California’s North Coast rivers, such as the Eel, were in decline. In the 1990’s better logging practices, eliminating hatcheries, and no-kill regulations lead to a resurgence in steelhead populations in many of California’s winter steelhead systems. Rivers such as the lower Trinity, Mad, Eel, South Fork Eel, and Van Duzen all host good returns of wild winter steelhead. These fish are fresh from the ocean and extremely aggressive, taking swung flies with authority. The rivers not only offer excellent steelheading but provide some amazing scenery. You will find yourself fishing emerald green rivers amongst some of the largest redwood grooves in the world.

Steelhead on the Spey Guide Service offers day trips for CA North Coast steelhead. These trips range from floating miles of beautiful Redwood lined rivers to walking into some of the best runs on the north coast. Trips vary from floating in a 14’ self bailing raft to walk/wade trips.

Location:
The rivers of the CA coast are best-accessed from the city of Eureka, CA.

Fishing Program:
Steelhead on the Spey Guide Service specializes in swinging flies with spey and switch rods. Most of the rivers are accessed by a self-bailing raft, but under some circumstances you may be walking and wading throughout the day and driving between runs. These rivers offer wild winter steelhead in the 6-20 lb. range with an average fish going 8-10 lbs. These fish are dime bright right out of the ocean and pull very hard. It is not uncommon to see your backing in a matter of minutes on many of the north coast steelhead.

Be prepared for full days on the water when fishing the north coast. Your guide will spend as much time on the water as possible to help you locate steelhead. Seeing that wintsteelhead respond better to swung flies in warmer water temps, they tend to fish late into the day as that provides some of the warmest water temps. Winter steelhead will grab swung flies during bright sunlight, therefore fishing in low light periods is not always necessary. At about midday you will stop on the side of the river to take a break and eat lunch.

Accommodations and Meals:

Hotel Recommendations for specific rivers:
Trinity River:
Coho Cottages
Willow Creek, CA
800-672-1511
530-629-4000
www.cohocottages.com

Mad/Eel/Van Duzen Rivers:
Best Western Plus Bayshore Inn
Eureka, CA
888-268-8005
www.bwbayshoreinn.com/

Best Western Country Inn
Fortuna, CA
800-679-7511
www.bwcountryinnfortuna.com/

South Fork Eel River:
Best Western Plus Humboldt House Inn
Garberville, CA
707-923-2771

Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Eureka, CA.
Days 2-4: Full days of guided fishing
Day 5: Depart lodge.

Complete Trip Details