Though rainfall totals were not as heavy as predicted last week, the weekend's precipitation was a very welcome relief to our local streams and will allow more ocean-going steelhead to swim upriver for spawning. Hovering around 30 cubic feet per second for the last few weeks, flow in the San Lorenzo river spiked at 1300 CFS over the weekend, according to the United States Geological Survey instrument at Big Trees. Quite a difference!

The river has since dropped, showing at 122 CFS on Wednesday evening. As the water clears over the next few days, steelhead anglers may have a chance to hook one of the big trout. Remember one must have in possession a current steelhead report card as well as their regular fishing license. And, that card must be filled out with date and location prior to embarking on the day's fishing. Current regulations still require barbless hooks only, and wild fish must be released as quickly and gently as possible. With the delicate nature of this coastal steelhead run, most ethical anglers will release hatchery fish as well. Every steelhead that makes it to the spawning grounds ensures a better chance at maintaining this precious resource.

Northern California received much more rain with the latest storm. Consequently, the rivers are high and muddy. Clearing may take an additional week on the Eel, Trinity and Klamath Rivers. Regulations vary from river to river, and even at different locations on the same river. Fishing these world-class steelhead streams must always be preceded by a careful examination of the localized regulations for that specific area. If the area is one with which you are not familiar, employing the services of a local guide can make the difference of being a hero rather than a zero.

For guaranteed steelhead action, heading north is almost a no-brainer. The fish are bigger and more numerous. The bigger rivers maintain larger flows, and provide more resting spots for fish when the water is low. Water temps are also lower and much healthier for the fish.

Traveling can cost time and money, but it's usually well worth it. Just ask Santa Cruz local Tammy Riccabona, who fished the Chetco river in southern Oregon a couple weeks ago. She hooked, fought and landed a beautiful silver-bright steehead, pictured above. A fish like that is every steelheader's dream.

Send your photos, comments or questions to scruzfishing@yahoo.com