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

Striking out on posting photos today...

Can't even post one pic.

I'll try again later - gotta go fishing!   

More chrome to come later...

WOW!!! thats the goodshit right there!!

Way to go Eric and Paul! 

Sweet post! Looking forward to the updates of vid and more pics.

Sweet!

Evening try...

I may have found the problem...

Looks like it's one particular photo that was messing up the post.

You don't get to see that one!   

Monday trip: Last week I met a guy along the river down south of Benbow, and we struck up a conversation. He's from the Grass Valley area and showed interest in my methods for steelheading from my kayak. I gave him my card and a few days later we were corresponding about a trip. Monday would be the day, and the water was perfect. After two previous trips in the few days before this one, I was riding high on batting a thousand in terms of getting my guests on steelhead. Today's trip was a bit different since my client was an older gentleman who'd never been on a sit-on-top. I was a little nervous about my ability to keep him safe since there are periodic needs for decisive paddle strokes along the route - avoiding strainers and thick willow banks on river curves being the biggest concerns. We got started early by setting Jay up at our launch where he could flyfish a nice run while I drove my truck back to the takeout and brought his car back upriver - this allows for us to load everything on my truck at the end of the day instead of having to do a vehicle shuttle at that point. I got the shuttling done, and by about 8AM we were ready to get started with a 9 mile kayak trip where we'd stop along the way for Jay to flyfish a remote run. Right off the batt I focused on making sure he had a strong command of the boat. With lots of canoe experience, I was confident that he would be aware of potential pitfalls of the trip we were embarking on. Within an hour or so Jay was adept with the yak and paddle, and after passing safely by a particularly raspy corner with a thick willow chute, we were enjoying a windless morning with warming sunshine at our backs as we glided through the oldgrowth corridor, casting for chances at tussling with steelhead. There wasn't much boat traffic along our route, which was nice, but unfortunately there also wasn't much fish traffic either! We ended up with zero bites for the day, even though late along the way we had several fish rolling in one of the best holes - just couldn't manage to get anything interested in our offerings.

We fished until dark, as my truck was waiting for us at the base of the last good run. I got all the gear loaded, and we enjoyed more conversation as we drove back up the Avenue to his rig at the launch site. It's a bit of an awkward moment as a guide when no fish were caught and the only part of the transaction left is to collect your fee. We got Jay's gear in his car, he called and checked in with his wife, and as he handed me the agreed cost plus a generous tip for the day and the outfitting, Jay was very gracious in thanking me for showing him a section of river that he had no experience on or knowledge of. He also expressed gratitude for the day's kayaking lessons and my sharing of info on access points, tributaries, area history and such. I felt humbled and proud at the same time as I accepted my pay and shook the hand of a new friend I'd made.
 Fish landed or not, this gig continues to provide wonderful opportunities for interaction, learning, teaching, growth and appreciation. It's like I sometimes say, "Got my degree in Anthropology, and I use it every day!"

Short day today - had to sleep in after a week of long runs from dawn til dusk. Today's trip was an afternoon run with my good friend David. We'd do a short four mile section of some favorite water that's almost getting too clear at this point, and by the looks of the hydrograph (http://northcoastweather.com/river_data/eel_river_levels.htm) we're in for more turbidity by later this week.

David and I enjoyed some great water practically to ourselves, and by the time we worked our way down to my favorite runs we were about to run out of light. I switched up from bouncing some roe to running a big and gaudy plug down into a deep slot with an eddy, and suddenly I was hooked up with a hot one! I got it somewhat under control - which basically only means I confirmed it was well hooked, and then I had to scramble on the paddle to keep from running into a rockwall. Managed to get pretty good views of some of this on the vid, and next thing you know I was safely in a little eddy area where I could fight the fish and get it to net. David had drifted down into the hole with me in this time, and, although I turned away his offers of assistance just before netting the fish, after I turned the vid off I managed to let the fish swim out of the net while still hooked, and my line was now badly wrapped around my rodtip! I got lucky and managed to re-net the fish, and David helped me untangle the absolute cluster I'd created!

Some quick pics and we had this beautiful freshy on its way. Great time for a day off from the dawn to dusk grind of guiding!   

I know the guiding is hard work, but I do envy you!  Thanks for bringing us along on the journey with you.

What an awesome season your having.

Last night's vid:

Great pics and vids Eric!
You are living the dream bro!

Awesome report and vids Eric.  You guys truly have a piece of heaven up there.