Coastal Rain River · Mixed · Northern California

Eel River system

Photo of Eel River system
Good · Chinook Salmon
Stu's Mini-Intruder · 12–16
Goodlive now
A proper day on the water
River high but settled. Match the colour and fish the seams.
65% confidence
What moved it
  • Level1.90 mLast reading 14h ago
  • Water temp14.7°C
  • ClarityVery colouredColouring up
Today's fly
SS
Stu's Mini-Intruder12–16
A dependable searching pattern for these waters.
Conditions on the water
Live gauge
Level
Rising
1.90 m
Last reading 14h ago
Water temp14.7°C
ClarityVery coloured
Weather13°C
WindSW 2 km/h
Pressure1019 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm
Rain · ahead0.0 mm

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

Water temperature for Chinook Salmon
Warm — slow
15°C est.ideal 4–14°C
0°14°28°
How to fish it · for Chinook Salmon
When
Morning into early afternoon.
Where
Pool tails, steadier runs, and any water with pace.
Method
Fish a sensible line-and-fly combination for the height and pace of water.
Kit
13 ft #8/9 double-hander in spate, 10 ft #8 single in low water. Floating line plus a fast-sink tip. 12–15 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Good — river flow is working for you, but insect activity is the limiting factor today.
Hatch timeline · todayQuiet day

Hatch predictions

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Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 2 with Pro.

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Evidence
ModelledModerate confidence

Modelled from regional ecology — no survey or occurrence data for this water yet.

Through the year
0–3 scale · July highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
Western Green DrakeHatch
2
2
Flav (Small Western Green Drake)Hatch
2
3
2
Mahogany DunHatch
2
2
American March BrownHatch
2
3
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Chinook Salmon fly box
SS
Stu's Mini-IntruderTop
12–16 · Fly
A dependable searching pattern for these waters.
HB
Hoh Bo Spey
12–16 · Fly
A dependable searching pattern for these waters.
SC
Sculpzilla
12–16 · Fly
A dependable searching pattern for these waters.
BS
Brett's Klamath Intruder
12–16 · Fly
A dependable searching pattern for these waters.
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • CDFW North Coast low-flow rules apply from September 1 through April 30
  • Mainstem, South Fork and Middle Fork thresholds differ; check the exact reach.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Other water nearby · 3
Van Duzen River
17 km
Steelhead · Chinook salmon · Coho salmon
Mattole River
24 km
0
Steelhead · Chinook salmon · Coho salmon
Mad River
44 km
Steelhead · Chinook salmon · Coho salmon
Gallery · 2
  1. Photo of Eel River system
    Eel River system
  2. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Conservation note

Wild steelhead, Chinook and coho recovery context. Do not score listed salmonids; surface presence, closures and safe handling.

Why this score · for Chinook Salmon
  • Temperature8128% weight
  • Flow9022% weight
  • Clarity4518% weight
  • Feeding Time6513% weight
  • Pressure757% weight
  • Insect activity2912% weight
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Trout 1 September → 30 April
Related guides
Euro Nymphingsubsurface methods
Booking & contacts