S-fork Eel kayak drift for steelies. 1-20-21

I'm going to spend the weekend on the Southfork Eel possibly with an overnight on the riverbar if temps warm up. I'll be running from peircy (below boulder jam) to Garberville on Sat.

Garberville to the forks on Sunday. Amongst steelheaders the Southfork Eel ranks high on the list for productive fishing just and is one of the more scenic floats in the california watershed.

It's a haul to get up here but fish are practically guaranteed. I have 3 extra boats if someone needs a rental. River experience isn't necessary but would be helpful.

fish are practically guaranteed

practically and guaranteed don't go together...you're gonna jinx yourself!  Good luck, look forward to the pics.

Garberville to the forks is a long way for a one day drift.  There's a chance I could join you around Weott down to the forks - say noon to 4?

I was figuring on hopscotching the best runs and do it twice if it was good. Not necessarily all in one shot. Weott to the forks would take but an hour to paddle. My plan is to get on the water early somewhere below peircy on saturday and fish the most productive holes and glides. The beauty of a kayak over a drift boat is that we can eddy out and do the run again over and over. From what I'm hearing the heavy fishing is north of garberville and only now is the main stem picking up. I'll be up there sunday also to drift through the redwood park. The section from phillipsville to the forks is world class wilderness paddling.

Hey Swellrider,
Are you attempting this on a yak, or a river kayak? I haven't drifted the Eel, so I have no opinion. Just curious if it's doable in a yak? I just used my yak for the first time on the Russian this week and it's great for paddling back up as you say, but the manueverablity is marginal if you had to run a rock garden. Thoughts?

Not many rock gardens or even mini-rapids on the sections of the S. Fork that he's drifting.  I've done it on a SOT several times and it's more paddling than maneuvering by far.  Beautiful trip through the redwoods from Phillipsville down to the forks.