Fishing conditions have improved considerably over the past week with the first decent rainfall to find it's way to the North Coast since early February. While most rivers still remain low, the rains that fell have put a healthy stain into most. The Eel basin has benefited the most from the recent precipitation giving the few of us who are still out fishing our last glimpse of steelhead green water before the closure on March 31. My past few outings have met with big rewards with clients shaking hands with some very nice fish. With more rain on the horizon for the North Coast, fishing should remain strong until the end of March. (Just a reminder that on April 1 most North Coast rivers will close to fishing, two notable exceptions are the Smith River and the Main Stem Eel below the SF confluence.)

I still have available dates on my calendar, but with everything going on it seems very plausible that this might be one of my last fishing reports for the winter season. Thanks to everyone who made the journey to fish the rivers of California's Redwood Coast with me this season. There were some tough days with some that were the stuff of legend. I hope everyone stays safe and healthy through the weeks and months that lay ahead. I'll see you on the water!