Eel River Steelheading - Early February 2016 - Culmination Video on page 4

After torrential rains for weeks (a good thing!), my home waters along the Eel are finally clearing and coming in to fishability again.  Earlier this week I scouted upstream where the water wasn't too muddy, but the flow was big and pushy - didn't hear of many fish hooked.  Discovered a nasty mudslide up high on the South Fork that has caused everything below it to clear more slowly than usual.  Today I jammed up to get a final scout on my preferred run before I take a client for the next two days.  The water is nearing perfection!  Hopefully the next time I log in with an update it'll be enough chrome to burn a little hole in your retina!   

I lost a fish today that could well have been the biggest steelie I've ever hooked - felt mid teens...



We'll see what tomorrow brings.   

Tuesday pix:

Wednesday pix:

Living the dream!

That was awesome.

Wow!!!  What a beautiful River. Pretty sweet to see that explosion on the surface in video. Thanks JB

Thanks for sharing the trips with us Eric.  I envy your life style!

F'n great vid!!! I felt heartache and joy!!! Thats Steelhead fer ya!!!

Loved the video and pics...now I'm really itching for my next nor cal trout foray, enough truck trout!

Nearing perfection?  That IS perfection!

It doesn't happen often these days, but when that river comes in it's hard to beat the scenery... shur is purdy. It'll be a mob this weekend.

Great pictures Eric.
Sucks about that slide. That area has been a mess ever since I've been alive.
Good luck this weekend. I wish I could be up there to enjoy this weekend's shit show. 
Looking forward to the next report

great post  ,Thanks !!!

Loved the video and pics...now I'm really itching for my next nor cal trout foray, enough truck trout!

I am feeling the same way.  It's nice to fish, but I want an animal I respect, that has enough sense not to eat rocks!  And, I want to do it in a beautiful area!

Awesome shots Eric! I want to go up but I just got back on Tues from running around all over norcal chasing steel. Weather has been epic up there. Good luck!