Fourth Eel Salmon Survey - 1/7/14

Had another sweet run down the Eel yesterday.  Eel River Recovery Project head man Pat Higgins cruised in my second X-Factor, Julie Donnell of Humboldt Redwood Company got us access to our take out spot above Scotia and rode in her Cuda 12, Dave Sopjes and Sage Halvorsen teamed up in Dave's canoe, and I enjoyed my number one X for about a 7 mile trip from Holmes down.  We got on several nice redd complexes, saw some live active spawners, documented more large adult carcasses to 40"+, and had multiple bald and golden eagle sightings.  Pat rocked lunch with home made sandwich fixings and fruit - thanks, Pat! 

I can't say enough about how unique the low water Eel is in comparison to what many would think.  Even with the low flow and dire situation that looms due to not much rain, the river is alive and so vibrant.  It's an incredible gift to have this time along my home stream.

Might be another trip in the cards...   

 

 

Hi Kayak Bruddah,

Mahalo (Thankyou) for those beautiful pics of the Eel River. It's incredible that there are still such a beautiful and seemingly pristine river in CA. I am trying to imagine what that must have been like flowing with the river and witnessing such a magnificent environment with spawining salmon and bald eagles flying overhead.

I gotta do that someday.
No fishing, just being present and taking it all in.

Aloha,

Da Bruddah (Michael)

Thanks for the report Eric. As beautiful as it is, it's sure discouraging to see the water so low this time of year. We should be heavy into steelhead by now.

Did you notice any salmon with a Brad's Watermelon plug in it's jaw? I lost one last summer.

NotaSeal

You can do it, Bruddah Michael.   

Thanks for the report Eric. As beautiful as it is, it's sure discouraging to see the water so low this time of year. We should be heavy into steelhead by now.

Did you notice any salmon with a Brad's Watermelon plug in it's jaw? I lost one last summer.

   

The lack of water's definitely discouraging, NotaSeal, but I have to continue to point out the half full part to let people know that even when it's used, abused, exploited, neglected and its water stolen at the snowy headwaters, the Eel is fully alive after only a few inches of rain since last spring.

No cutplugs were found.   

Beautiful river.  Thanks for the pics. 
Seeing the Eel from the road last May made me want to paddle it.

Aaron

Lovely! I look forward to seeing that stretch!

thanks for all the relaxing pics......it sure looks "untouched" from here.
PRAYforRAIN!! 

 

Wow...what an experience.

Thanks for sharing bro!!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Thanks for sharing such a beautiful place Eric!  Someday I'll have the time to get up there for a good float