As of today Saturday March 30 the Russian is at 8600 cfs or 14 feet and muddy. Conditions will remain muddy for at least another two weeks depending on the amount of rain we continue to get. All Sonoma and Mendocino coastal streams will be closed for the season on April 1st. The Russian will remain open to fishing except as of April 1st bait season will be closed so non-scented artificial barbless lures only until November 1st. With near record returns of hatchery fish to the system I will cross my fingers for a dry spell so we can at least recover some of the season with at least down streamers, or "post" spawn fish. Last season the latest steelhead I caught was a down runner on May 15. Of course with the massive volume of water we received this winter we should have an excellent return of American Shad beginning April/May. So lets stop doing the rain dance and bring on the sun!