Humboldt Steelhead Days (HSD) event organizers announced they have begun planning events for year four thanks in large part by a donation from the Humboldt Lodging Alliance. HSD expanded their fishing contest window in 2017 to run from January to March. According to a press release, the event is centered on a winter-long promotion of steelhead angling opportunities, education, and conservation. Anglers who catch (hatchery) and release (wild) steelhead on the Trinity, Mad and Eel rivers are encouraged to register for the contest, take a photo of their fish, and post the photo to the HSD Facebook page. Anglers who donate $10 to register and who posted a photo will be eligible to win more than $10,000 in cash and prizes and will receive a HSD/HLA discount card to be used at area hotels and at HSD events. In addition to the fishing contest, organizers have partnered with Pacific Outfitters in order to facilitate spawning tours along the three watersheds. Founded three years ago by Mad River Alliance director Dave Feral, Feral said HSD was created to build community awareness and fund continued restoration and recovery activities on Humboldt rivers. “Our aim is to promote Humboldt in the winter as a sportsmen’s paradise and an eco-tourist’s dream. The rivers and forestlands that support their return and propagation are at the heart of Humboldt’s appeal and beauty. We want the world to know this. Seeing wild fish returning to their native streams and perpetuating their species will appeal to anyone who has an affinity for the outdoors and a love of nature,” said Feral. For more information on this year’s event, visit humboldtsteelheaddays.com/ Weekend marine forecast The forecast looks a little bumpy for the weekend, but should be fishable. As of Wednesday, the forecast out 10 nautical miles for Friday is calling for winds out of the W up to 5 knots and waves NW 7 feet at 12 seconds. Saturday is calling for N winds 5 to 10 knots and waves NW 6 feet at 9 seconds and SW 3 feet at 14 seconds. Sunday looks a little rougher with N winds 5 to 15 knots and waves NW to 8 feet at 10 seconds and NW 4 feet at 14 seconds. These conditions can and will change by the weekend. For an up-to-date weather forecast, visit weather.gov/eureka/. You can also call the National Weather Service at 707-443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at 707-443-6484.

Kenny Priest operates Fishing the North Coast, a fishing guide service out of Humboldt specializing in salmon and steelhead. Find it on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and www.fishingthenorthcoast.com. For up-to-date fishing reports and North Coast river information, email kenny@fishingthenorthcoast.com.