Flows in the Oak have retreated some to slightly high and slightly stained. Real nice flows by steelhead standards. First real cold night of the year Sunday night probably tightened things up for flows and runoff in the Oak and smaller area tribs as well. Looks like a good head of turbine water with overflow levels diminished. Just a handful of cars seen at each access spot. Not a whole lot of reports coming back in for the Oak but now with flows that are a little more easily drifted guys should be into a few browns or steelhead. Always the chance at some fresh steelhead migrations that should only improve as we get into the later winter. Downstream frog water areas are all open with no icing conditions yet. Other area smaller tribs are at moderate to medium and slightly stained flows. You can see the Canal drainage influence in the stained color but Canal release flows sure look more tempered in the smaller tribs then say the Oak. Hike some different water spots on the smaller tribs and you should find some brown trout action with a steelhead or two thrown in. Forecast is back to the seasonable warm temps that we have been prone to so far this whole trib season – highs near 40°F for mid week and warmer yet for end of week. There's a chance of snow showers tomorrow (Wed.) and precipitation at the end of week again. No real change yet seen in Oak upstream headwater flows but shortly Canal water will run out and I'd be looking for some kind of continued lowering flows by end of week or weekend – that is without any new significant precipitation for runoff.
troycreasy