2024 Fall Salmon Forecast: Chetco, Smith top bets for big kings
BROOKINGS, Ore. (Sept. 22, 2024) – Big king salmon are already being caught at the mouth of the Chetco River, building anticipation for one of the best drift boat fisheries on the West Coast. A 53-pound king salmon was caught in early September by an angler trolling an anchovy along the Chetco jetties. Lots of fish in the 20-pound range also have been caught in recent days, along with plenty of jack salmon. All signs point to a strong salmon run this fall in the Chetco, as well as the Smith River a few miles to the south.
Salmon began entering the mouth of the Chetco River in late August, earlier than usual, and the handful of local anglers trolling were catching fish daily. The word got out, and more boats arrived, along with bigger numbers of fish. The first part of the estuary season has been above-average. Generally, an early run is an indication of a big run. Good fishing is expected in October and early November, the peak season on the Chetco.
The Chetco had strong salmon runs the last few years, with high spawner escapement. Ocean closures in California, where Chetco and Smith river salmon spend the saltwater portion of their lives, also has led to significantly less mortality of local salmon stocks, which will result in bigger returns this fall.
A few salmon are already holding in the deeper tidewater pools of the Chetco. By early October, fishable numbers of kings will be available in the lower river, where bobber-only rules are in effect until the first few days of November. The first major rain of October will flood the Chetco and Smith with big numbers of fall kings. From that point fishing is generally good well into November.
Some of the kings caught in September 2024 with Capt. Rye and Capt. Sam.
The Wild Rivers Fishing team of guides – Andy Martin, Mick Thomas, Rye Phillips, Sam Stover and Travis Sallander – is the only group of full-time fishing guides that fishes in Brookings year round, 12 months of the year. They run ocean charter boats in the summer months and guide out of drift boats on the Chetco and Smith rivers from October through March. With decades of combined experience, they have a well-earned reputation of producing some of the best catch rates on the local rivers, as well as the biggest kings. Local guides are your best chance of success on the Chetco and Smith!
Customers fishing in Andy’s boat are no stranger to trophy kings. A 65-pounder was caught with a HawgNose FlatFish in Andy’s drift boat in November 2011. A few years earlier, an angler caught a 58-pounder with Andy trolling the Chetco River estuary. Dozens of salmon in the upper 40-pound range and over 50 pounds have been caught with Andy. Mick, Travis, Rye and Sam also have numerous trophy kings under their belts. They are the go-to team of guides for trophy kings on the Chetco and Smith rivers. They also spend considerable time on the highly productive Elk and Sixes rivers north of Brookings.
Many of the drift boat salmon trips begin in the upper sections of the Chetco and Smith, with spectacular wilderness settings, clean water, and big fish. Salmon are caught back-bouncing roe, fishing sand shrimp and roe below bobbers, and running MagLip and HawgNose plugs with sardine or tuna wraps. Top-quality gear is used when in pursuit of fall kings.
Salmon season peaks in early November, with fish continuing to arrive through December. Late October and early November are peak season.
Both the Chetco and Smith have strong runs of wild king salmon. They also have hatchery fish, which increase catch rates. Both rivers also have a reputation for big fish. The majority of the run is made up of 4-year-old fish, from 15 to 25 pounds. There are a large number of 5-year-old kings, which can top 40 and 50 pounds. And a few 6-year-old kings arrive each fall.
To book a river salmon trip with a local, year-round fishing guide, call (541) 813-1082. More information can be found at www.wildriversfishing.com. For information on ocean charters, visit www.brookingsfishing.com.
