Steelhead Season 2005/2006

Update: 3/10/2006 Steelhead season has come to a close for another year. This was a strange season which started 12/l with low water and no rain. Then, when the rain started, the river flooded and stayed high and unfishable for about a month. Then, as the water dropped and cleared, there were few fish. Water low and clear with spring-like weather for about 3 weeks! And, few fish!! Then, the rains came again and that finished our season. I guess it would be said that it hopefully was a good year for the fish, meaning that there was water for them to make their journey. The number of fish on that journey, is the question. Three years ago, we had a terrific season with lots of beautiful fish seen, caught and released. Last year was not as good as the previous one and probably this one poorer than last years. I hope that the reason the season was poorer this year is that the fish are late in coming this year, and that they are making their journey now and that it is a successful one!!

Update: 2/28/2006 We checked the river late yesterday afternoon, Monday 27th, and it was high and muddy. Conditions do not look favorable for fishing on this last Wednesday or our steelhead season. River fishability and streams will of course, depend on the amount of rain between now and the weekend. Tuesday, March 7th, is last day of this season and is a fish day. This weather is great for the fish not so good for the fisherman!!

Update: 2/16/2006 Fishing this past weekend and on Wednesday was generally slow. There were some nice fish taken and hopefully, with some weather coming in this weekend, more fish maybe coming into the system. Monday, the 20th is a fish day so good fishing to all!!

Update: 2/11/2006 San Lorenzo remains low and clear and fishing will probably be tough until another rain materializes.

Here's some pictures of the river courtesy of local fisherman Lars Johannesson.

Lars Johannesson's San Lorenzo River Collection

Very nice, thanks for the link, Lars!

Update: 1/26/2006 - Wednesday Jan 25 was a great day fishing for me on the San Lorenzo. Caught and successfully released this beautiful, fresh 10# female hatchery steelhead!! Water was beautiful as was the day!!!!

Update: 1/20/2006 - The water looks great, fishing should be GREAT this weekend!

Update: 1/14/2006 - Last night it rained about .7 inches in SC and probably twice that much in the mountains so the river is up a little and visibility about l-l/2ft. Depends on today and the rain, , river may be better shape Sunday or Monday (which is a fish day).

Fishing so far this season has been slow and few fish, but expecting fish to show any day!!

Update: 1/7/2006 - I was on the river this morning, and heard of fish caught. SL is still high and visibility is about l to l.5 feet. Better fishing probably on Sunday as it continues to drop, Wednesday will probably be the best day, providing the weather holds.

Highway 9 is open from highway l to the Rincon parking area.

Update: 1/6/2006 - Lots of rain in the past week has brought water levels up, although water conditions look fishable for the next few fish days! Here's a SL River picture from Wednesday (note the high-water mark!):

Update: 12/24/2005 - Looks like it could be good fishing on Christmas Day! Get ready, Steelheaders!

Update: 12/22/2005 - Streams are high and muddy. Saturday fishing will definitely depend on how much more moisture we get between then and now. Reports on fishing yesterday were few fish caught and small.

Update: 12/18/2005 - Hooray! Hooray! We might have a season afterall!! Fishing for Wednesday depends on how much rain we get between now and then. A good shower last night and today should bring water levels up and fish into the river!

Update: 12/2/2005 - (San Lorenzo) Water is a little murky, but with about l foot visibility. Flow is slow, but it is early in the season so there will probably be a few small fish caught today.

As of today, 11/30/05 there is no streamflow data on the DFG telephone line, however this is to change at any time now. The number for streamflow data is 831-649-2886.