Trip Planner
Chetco River Salmon Fishing
Season
September-December
Peak Time
October-November
Steelhead Fishing
Season
Thanskgiving-March
Peak Season
(Hatchery Fish)
December-January
(Wild/Trophy Fish)
Febuary-March
Season
September-December
Peak Time
October-November
Steelhead Fishing
Season
Thanskgiving-March
Peak Season
(Hatchery Fish)
December-January
(Wild/Trophy Fish)
Febuary-March
For more information,
call (206) 388-8988
call (206) 388-8988
Chetco River Salmon & Steelhead
Home to perhaps the best fall Chinook and winter steelhead fishing in Oregon, the Chetco River flows 55 miles from its headwaters deep in the Siskiyou National Forest to the Pacific Ocean at Brookings. One of Oregon's longest undammed rivers, the Chetco flows through rugged mountain canyons with towering fir and redwood trees. It is one of Oregon's top-producing rivers in terms in trophy salmon and steelhead and angler catch rates. Each year a number of salmon in the 50-pound range are caught, as well as several steelhead over 20 pounds.
Growing up in Brookings, Oregon, Andy Martin fishes his hometown waters during the fall salmon and winter steelhead seasons. He has spent his entire life fishing the Chetco for salmon, steelhead and sea-run cutthroat trout.
Beginning in late September, just when Andy returns from Alaska each fall, big king salmon begin to stack up off the mouth of the Chetco. These are some of the
biggest salmon in Oregon, with fish averaging in the mid-20s and plenty of 30-, 40- and even 50-pounders caught each fall.
A few salmon over 60 pounds are reported each year.
Fishing from his custom jet sled, Andy trolls the lower Chetco and the ocean area just off of the mouth of the river for these big fish. To learn more about this exceptinal fall saltwater season, click here.
As soon as the first rains hit the coast, Andy begins drifting the Chetco, back-bouncing roe and pulling plugs such as FlatFish and Kwikfish for these salmon. His customers fish from a spacious, top-of-the-line heated 18-foot Fish-Rite drift boat with quality gear, including Penn and Abu Garcia reels, high-end Wright & McGill graphite salmon and steelhead rods. Andy is on the pro staff for Pautzke Bait Co., Wright & McGill, Eagle Claw, and Yakima Bait Co.
Salmon fishing lasts until mid-December, when winter steelhead begin showing up in the Chetco.
Side-drifting is highly effective on the Chetco, one of the first rivers where this technique was used. Andy is an expert drift boater, getting his customers into fish by covering lots of water, using top-quality baits, the latest light-tackle spinning gear and years of experience in reading water under all conditions and finding fresh steelhead. A typical drift from Ice Box to Social Security Bar lasts the entire day and when fresh fish have entered the river, multiple hook-ups are common.
Steelhead fishing lasts until the season closes March 31.
Andy and the guides he works closely with provide top-quality customer service, use quality gear, operate clean, comfortable boats, and are friendly teachers. They want their customers to not only catch fish, but enjoy Oregon's ultimate salmon and steelhead adventure. We specialize in parent-and-child, husband-and-wife and other family trips, but also can accomodate larger groups with multiple boats available. Beginning anglers are welcome! We'll teach you how to catch them.
Andy is a Coast Guard licensed captain, first and and CPR trained, insured and bonded, proudly participates in a random drug testing program. His top goal is to ensure you have an enjoyable experience fishing one of Oregon's best salmon and steelhead streams.
biggest salmon in Oregon, with fish averaging in the mid-20s and plenty of 30-, 40- and even 50-pounders caught each fall.
A few salmon over 60 pounds are reported each year.
Fishing from his custom jet sled, Andy trolls the lower Chetco and the ocean area just off of the mouth of the river for these big fish. To learn more about this exceptinal fall saltwater season, click here.
As soon as the first rains hit the coast, Andy begins drifting the Chetco, back-bouncing roe and pulling plugs such as FlatFish and Kwikfish for these salmon. His customers fish from a spacious, top-of-the-line heated 18-foot Fish-Rite drift boat with quality gear, including Penn and Abu Garcia reels, high-end Wright & McGill graphite salmon and steelhead rods. Andy is on the pro staff for Pautzke Bait Co., Wright & McGill, Eagle Claw, and Yakima Bait Co.
Salmon fishing lasts until mid-December, when winter steelhead begin showing up in the Chetco.
Side-drifting is highly effective on the Chetco, one of the first rivers where this technique was used. Andy is an expert drift boater, getting his customers into fish by covering lots of water, using top-quality baits, the latest light-tackle spinning gear and years of experience in reading water under all conditions and finding fresh steelhead. A typical drift from Ice Box to Social Security Bar lasts the entire day and when fresh fish have entered the river, multiple hook-ups are common.
Steelhead fishing lasts until the season closes March 31.
Andy and the guides he works closely with provide top-quality customer service, use quality gear, operate clean, comfortable boats, and are friendly teachers. They want their customers to not only catch fish, but enjoy Oregon's ultimate salmon and steelhead adventure. We specialize in parent-and-child, husband-and-wife and other family trips, but also can accomodate larger groups with multiple boats available. Beginning anglers are welcome! We'll teach you how to catch them.
Andy is a Coast Guard licensed captain, first and and CPR trained, insured and bonded, proudly participates in a random drug testing program. His top goal is to ensure you have an enjoyable experience fishing one of Oregon's best salmon and steelhead streams.
Oregon Salmon and Steelhead Fishing, Alaska Salmon and Halibut Fishing
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Chetco, Rogue, Elk, Sixes, Smith and Klamath River Salmon and Steelhead Fishing at its best!
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2010 Update: Strong Salmon Run Expected Back To Chetco
A strong fall Chinook run is expected back to the Chetco River in 2010, according to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists. A return of 180 percent of average is expected. This year's crop of salmon entered the ocean during a period of good offshore feeding conditions, which has led to the predicted higher-than-average survival rate. The healthy ocean conditions also are expected to result in an improved steelhead run.