It may be too little and too late, but this week's rainstorm brought at least some relief to our parched countryside and provided increased flows in our river systems for spawning steelhead. Local fishing for steelhead remains closed due to low flows, but in the northern part of the state catching a big ocean-going trout is a distinct possibility.


Micah Woolworth from River's Edge Guide Service in Arcata has been drifting the Eel River lately and reports some heartening results. "Fishing on the Eel River the past few days has ranged from slow to OK, but by no means is it over for the North Coast this year! We are getting a few fresh fish, mixed with down runners. I was fortunate to fish with a good client who made the day early in the morning with a solid fifteen pound plus steelhead!" Woolworth is hoping the weekend rains will result in an increased catch rate for the last few weeks of steelhead season.


On the local salt, the story remains consistent. Fishing for sand dabs is still "wide open," according to Ken Stagnaro from Stagnaro's Sportfishing. He is running both the big Velocity as well as the smaller six-pack boat Sea Stag for Crab and 'Dab trips out of the Santa Cruz Harbor. In Monterey, Chris' Fishing trips is doing the same, and stacking up some impressive numbers. Monday and Tuesday trips aboard the Checkmate provided clients with limits of Dungeness crab and "lots" of sand dabs.


If the beaches stay clear of kelp and floating seaweed perch fishing should be good again this weekend. Lately the best bite has been near Moss Landing or below, though a few barred surf perch were reported caught from Rio Del Mar and even some local Santa Cruz beaches. Conditions should be perfect for the Sand Crab Classic Perch Derby, which is coming up quickly. It would pay to do some "after school" fishing during next week to find the fish, and find your spot for Saturday March 8.


And, before we know it, salmon season will open again. The National Marine Fisheries Service and Pacific Fisheries Management Council are predicting a healthy population of adult king salmon in the saltwater at this time. Final details regarding the season opening will be available very soon. The following few years may be tough for salmon, however. Last year's dry spring and this year's acute drought conditions have severely limited the number of juvenile fish able to survive inland river conditions, and it does not bode well for the 2015 and 2016 seasons.


The Santa Cruz Flyfishermen Club is bringing the International Fly Fishing Film Festival back to town again this year. Mark your calendars for Friday April 25 at the Rio Theater at seven p.m. for two hours of the best films of the year. The yearly film fest showcases the "passion, lifestyle and culture" of flyfishing. Tickets for the Festival will be available at the Patagonia Outlet, Central Coast Fly Fishing and at www.bigsurstyles.com. If available, tickets may also be purchased at the venue on the day of the event for $18.00 per ticket.



Bushnell can also be heard Friday mornings at 6:45 on KSCO radio 1080 AM. Send your photos, comments or questions to scruzfishing@yahoo.com