The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

I'm looking at giving the South Fork of the Eel a serious effort this winter and the long range forecast looks promising for fishable water maybe next week or the week after. Do any members have a line on shuttle service help around theGarberville area?

I dont know of any shuttle services. But be aware of the fact that above the Benbow take out there is a downed tree that in unpassable by drift boat. There are signs all over the place warning people about the float. So you either need to take out about Benbow or start your drift below there. Good Luck!

Ryan Johnston

Thanks a bunch for the heads up on the fallen tree obstacle. Which Benbow take out are you referring to? We typically take out above Benbow at a small park that is on Benbow road right downstream from what we call twin bridges. What is this fallen tree close to?

Matt

Matt-I took out at the exact same spot you are talking about. Once you go under the twin bridges next to Benbow road the take out is about a couple miles on river right. Now the word is that the downed tree is a couple miles below the take out that were referring to. So dont plan on doing a drift any further past where you would normally go.

Hope this helps!

Ryan Johnston

no/msg

RJ
is this obstruction really a tree? it seems like one good rain would clear the way. I was doing some recon last winter and there was a flat car bridge that crossed the river and was not passible by boat in about the same location you are refering to, just curious if we are talking about the same place. in either case don't drift that section.

All I know is that there are flyers posted on all of the nearby boat lauches like Richardson Grvoe and Piercy warning people about a downed tree (sounded like a redwood) that has fallen across the river near the town of Benbow. Never saw the tree personally but it seemed as though it was quite the talk of the river about 4 weeks ago. All of the local guys kept warning everyone at the launches. But it would sure put a cramp in your day if you put in on the that float.

thanks for the clarification.
I'm not a fan of dragging drift boats over riverbars when the bite is on!
T-Ball