South Fork Eel - 1/23/26

Jon contacted me just over 3 years ago, asking about the possibility of an Eel River trip.  We went over the options and potential parameters of a guided day, and it just wasn't in the cards that season.  Jump forward to a couple of weeks ago, Jon called in and I'd saved his number in my phone.  "Hi Jon!" - it was like we'd just spoken, and, honestly, I had no idea how long it had been since we'd originally corresponded.  Giving good info and engaging on a positive level up front, and then saving a name and number to hopefully hear back later are good practices - not just for business, but for community in general.  It served me well, as Jon and I went on to arrange a South Fork trip for this past Friday.

Jon's a fly fisherman, but he wasn't as interested in the fishing on this trip as he was with just getting to know some miles on the Wild and Scenic river that I have long called my 'home waters'.  Once we had a confirmed itinerary I enlisted the company and assistance of my Super Assistant Guide of the Year - Professor David Bradfield of Arcata.  David has been along on countless of my Eel River trips and is always eager to extend that record of service and participation - it's much appreciated!

The three of us got on the water by mid morning after setting up our shuttle and leaving all the vehicles in safe spots - riding the last leg from Myers Flat and stashing my bike at the launch, as is my custom.  It was brisk out, but we were all layered up and ready to enjoy a sunny day on green water that was flowing at about 1000 CFS at Miranda - a little higher than I like, but probably just right for counteracting the typical afternoon breeze that can stifle downstream progress as it pushes in from the north.

We saw plenty of ducks, a deer or two, and the wildlife highlight had to be seeing the bald eagles.  At first there was one - sitting on a bare branch very high on an oldgrowth redwood near Garden Club of America Grove.  This particular tree had a huge eagle's nest in it for years, but it's been about a decade now that the nest has been gone - maybe longer.  To see an eagle up there where that nest used to be brought a smile to my face, and when a second eagle showed up and perched next to the first, it was paparazzi time!  The three of us were doing our best to zoom in on the two of them, and the five of us were living in the moment!

We had a nice lunch in the sun at the Burlington Campground swimming hole, and the second half of the trip was a good time to appreciate gloves, hats and proper layering, as the shade became pervasive and the temps continued to drop back down into the 40's or so.

We threw a few lures along the route, but fishing was by far secondary to just being there.  We didn't see or hear of any steelhead caught along the way.

In the end, I think Jon was very pleased with his long-awaited Eel Discovery trip, and David and I were equally sated by a successful return to familiar reaches where we allowed the Oldgrowth Corridor and its wonderful character to carry us through another great day.

The South Fork is coming in to really ideal shape, in terms of color and water level for a fun and easy day.  If you'd like to discover the magic of the OG Corridor, please do reach out.  I'd love to show you around at my Home Waters.

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I've done this trip with Eric and it is spectacular. Highly recommended experience.

I've done this trip with Eric and it is spectacular. Highly recommended experience.

I second this - family friendly, too. My wife loved this trip as well.

I've done this trip with Eric and it is spectacular. Highly recommended experience.

I second this - family friendly, too. My wife loved this trip as well.

Thanks, R&J.   

It's a tough crowd to get a response out of!