What are the physical traits to look for in a hatchery raised steelhead when you’re out fishing on the Mad River? For angling and harvest: A steelhead that has been caught needs to have 75% or more of an adipose fin missing, even if the fish has obvious fin erosion according to California Department ofContinue reading “What is steelhead circuli? Hatchery raised traits”
Author Archives: Mad River Steelhead Derby
How to tell wild steelhead from hatchery steelhead
November 14, 2019 By JD Richey Hatchery Steelhead Hatchery steelhead will be missing their adipose fin, which is the small fleshy one on the back between the dorsal fin and tail. You’ll sometimes encounter a fish that’s a “tweener” — one that has a partial adipose fin. While this can occur in the wild (rare), it isContinue reading “How to tell wild steelhead from hatchery steelhead”
Mad River Steelhead Stewards
Who are the Mad River Steelhead Stewards Volunteer Anglers? Founded in 2015, the Mad River Steelhead Stewards is a volunteer angler program that assists in catching and providing natural broodstock steelhead to the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) Mad River Hatchery in Blue Lake. The Stewards under the guidance and supervision of theContinue reading “Mad River Steelhead Stewards”
Become a Derby Sponsor or Donor
2021 Derby Sponsor List with URL Links: Click Here! If you want us to promote your business, shoot us an email to become an official sponsor. Dear Community Members – We are asking if you or your company would like to support our organization, the Nor-Cal Guides and Sportsmen’s Association (NCGASA.org) with a donation toContinue reading “Become a Derby Sponsor or Donor”
2020 Leaderboard
Sixty anglers signed up for the inaugural Mad River Steelhead Derby. The Derby ran from Jan. 1st to Feb. 29th during the winter steelhead run. Anglers either signed up online at NCGASA.org or they signed up in person at RMI Outdoors or Bucksport Sporting Goods in Eureka. The three largest measured hatchery steelhead won cashContinue reading “2020 Leaderboard”
CDFW offers automatic license renewal
You can now put your California fishing license on auto pilot. CDFW is offering the option to have your fishing license, validations, and report cards automatically renewed and sent to you before your old ones expire. (https://wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing)
Crazy about the Mad River
September 29, 2010/Game And Fishing MagazineBy J.D. Richey Northern California’s Mad River lives in obscurity. To the north is the famed Klamath River, known around the world for its epic steelheading. Immediately south is the Eel River, steeped in tradition and the birthplace of the state’s steelhead sportfishery. Zane Grey and Ernest Hemingway didn’t spendContinue reading “Crazy about the Mad River”
Mad River Steelhead Derby 