News:

Sorry to inform you that I have not been able to  acquire a meeting as of yet with the Hoopa Tribal Chairman Leonard Masten, but am hoping to maybe get one within the coming week. This is a serious problem and needs to be solved ASAP. It could cause very serious economic crises, for both the Hoopa’s and the surrounding communities. To the lighter side fishing did not get a big jump start with the little shower that came through the area last week. The Willow Creek area only received a little over a half inch of rain and the river saw no increase of flows. We did see some color coming out of the South Fork but not very much as it cleared itself before it got to the Big Rock area. It did how ever start some native steelies to go up the South Fork and some fishermen were able to catch and release some very nice fish. The remainder of the upper Trinity stayed fairly low and clear. The river is also very cold with temperatures hovering around 40 degrees. 

Trinity River Hatchery Counts:

From Oct 29 through Nov 18 the hatchery received over 10,000 Chinook. As it stands they have logged in this season a total of 22,290 Chinook salmon to date. Coho salmon to date 4,677 and 1,313 Steelhead. If the counts continue at this rate we should have a great return of Chinook in three years. 

Fishing:

Fishing has been fair to good. Depending upon where you are fishing on the river. Up river in the Douglas City to Junction City the river is very clear and cold but there is not a lot of fishing traffic. Junction City to Pigeon Point there has been a lot of drift boats running that section. The river is also low and clear. We need rain in a big way. Del Loma has not had a lot of fishing pressure so there has not been much to report about. Down here from Hawkins Bar to the South Fork the river is still seeing salmon spawning. Yes I know it is very late for salmon to spawn but Friday I drifted Salyer to Kimtu with Paul Lesile and Eric Peterson of Eureka. We were able to watch salmon spawning most of the section above the South Fork and saw very few steelhead. The good part is that after we passed the mouth of the South Fork we started to get some good hits. About the second hole below the south Fork Eric was able to bring to the boat a nice 7lbs native that we took a picture of and released it unharmed. All total we were able to hook 4 fish and bring on to the net

Klamath:

The Mid-Klamath at Weitchpec has been seeing some half-pounder action but not many adult yet. Rain surly would help bring up some fresh winter steelies.
Trinity River flows and Conditions:
Trinity Lake is 33.5ft (0.5ft decrease) below the over flow and at 79.5% of capacity (0.5% increase) of capacity at 11:00am today.

Trinity River:

Inflow to Trinity Lake is 111cfs. Trinity Dam releases are 1,653cfs to Lewiston Lake with 1,542cfs going to Whiskeytown Lake. 

Lewiston Dam releases are 297cfs, water temps 42, air is 40. Limekiln Gulch is 4.9ft at 354cfs. Douglas City is 5.9ft at 354fs, water temps are 41, air 39. Junction City is 1.4ft at 382cfs. Helena is 9.2ft at 439cfs, water is 41.9. Cedar Flat is 3ft at 554cfs. Willow Creek estimate is 683cfs, water at 41, air at 46. Hoopa is 11.9ft at 958cfs, water temps 41 degrees. Mouth of the Trinity is 3,608cfs. 

Klamath River Releases:

Iron Gate Dam is releasing 1,130cfs. Seiad Valley is 2.7ft at 1,630750cfs. Happy Camp is 1, 740843cfs. Somes Bar is 2,32581cfs. Orleans is 4.21ft at 2,650740cfs. Klamath at 101 is 9.63ft at 5,050cfs water temp at 42 degrees. Temperatures in the valley last week were 50/26 degrees with 0.65 inches of rain, total to date 16.255.6 inches. The weather next week in the valley is predicted to be 50/31 degrees, Mon-Tue-Wed-Thu- to be sunny most of the days, Fri-Sat- partly cloudy w/sun, Sun to be overcast all day. Monday could see some scattered showers. Traveling in the north be sure to carry chains and a shovel.