South Fork Eel - 2/28/21

I'm running a special on my Steelhead Habitat Excursion through the oldgrowth corridor of the South Fork Eel - I'll show you all the places where I've caught them in past seasons!   

Yesterday's run on a near perfect flow featured sunny skies and just a few minor breezes mid afternoon.  Thomas (TommyTwoFish) came up from the Bay Area for his first river run on his Outback, and since his son couldn't join us he had welcomed me to recruit another guest or two for our day.  Not just a cost-saving move, it's always good to have more participants than just two, and I had a couple of locals in mind who have done multiple trips with me.  David (DaveTheSynthGuy) and Yaad (Poopsmith) were stoked to hook up for this run, and their very positive and engaging natures added so much to the quality of the group.

In the days before the trip I devised a covid-free shuttle scheme that was to entail an open-air Avenue ascent, and at the end of the day I would ride my bike eight miles back to launch for my truck.  I love incorporating an additional challenge into an already long and demanding day - 37 minutes pedaling through the oldgrowth that we'd just paddled through wasn't torturous, but tiring for sure.  The guys accommodated the time needs for this plan, and in the end we were all pleased with the ability to pull off the trip without compromising our standards for personal and community protection - this is the world we live in at this point.

The OG Corridor was gorgeous as always.  We took the usual brief side hike onto the low end of one of my favorite tribs at lunch, and one bald eagle along with many ducks, two fawns, two otters and a pair of loudly honking geese spiced the air and sparkled the view for our sensory pleasure.  On the fishing front, the steelhead were a no-show, and it's been that kind of season for many.  Thomas got a great intro for techniques, but it helps if some proof follows the practice.  Discovering new territory and learning how to safely navigate river currents and potential hazards along with the beauty of Humboldt Redwoods State Park added up to a happy client, and getting to know a new friend in an area where I know all the features was a pleasure for me as well.  David and Yaad had both been on the route, and each trip they come to better know the landscape here along with its potential pitfalls and positives.  I have big appreciation for my returning guests, and high on my list of reasons is the all-day-smile that these two in particular have such a knack for sharing with those in their company.
 
Thanks again, guys - we'll get 'em next time.   

This old clunky site makes me re-load photos and modify messages to get it all done!   

Nice report!  Much thanks! 

learned a lot this trip. Thomas and I realized its easier to face upstream and control the hobbie's using the kicks, but u just have to pay attention behind you!

Bobber dogging is totally feasible but I think I just like bouncing the bottom with roe and changing weights for different currents as they come.

Thanks for the call eric ill get on that river any day.

cant beat that view either!

Excellent!

Thanks for a great report and pictures Eric.

Wow! This must be an amazing experience! I will keep that in mind for future reference. I'm pretty new to stlhd game, but I can see why it is so popular and people get addicted to it. Thanks for sharing!

Simply put, it was an AWESOME trip.  Scenery was great, and I was well taken care of by Eric, with the added bonus of Yaad and Dave for company.  Eric is fount of knowledge on steelhead, salmon, and the Humbolt area.   I had a great time and learned a ton too.

Between pedals, pedal bungie to feather the fins, the rudder line to lift rudder, the paddle and the fishing pole there is a lot going on with a hobie on a river, but at the flows we had, it was definitely manageable, even for a noob like me.

Great trip as always! -- Here's two more photos.