BROOKINGS, Ore. (Feb. 24, 2025) – Winter steelhead fishing has been slower than expected from Forks, Washington, down to the Eel and Russian rivers in Northern California, and the Chetco, Smith, Rogue, Elk, Sixes, Coquille and Umpqua rivers have been no exception. Steelhead are being caught, and our guides are getting fish, but catch rates are down compared to recent years, while the size of the steelhead also has been smaller than average. Steelhead fishing is fair at best, but beautiful conditions, a few fish a day, and relatively uncrowded conditions have made fishing worthwhile.
Our team of river guides – who also run ocean charter boats out of Brookings, Oregon, during the summer months, have been fishing the Chetco and Smith rivers since mid-December. The Smith has fished the best among the local rivers, but steelhead also have been in the Chetco. Small clusters of roe combined with small Yakima Bait Co. Corkies are producing best for our guides. A few steelhead also have been caught on MagLip plugs.
Steelhead season runs through March on the Chetco, Elk and Sixes rivers, and ends April 30 on the Smith. Good fishing typically extends through the middle of March. Spring salmon, meanwhile, will soon begin arriving on the lower Rogue River in Gold Beach, where our guides use jet boats to anchor and fish anchovies or spinners for springers.
Our guides also have been running ocean trips as the weather allows this winter. Lingcod and rockfish action has been good, with limits of rockfish and limits or near limits of lingcod. Ocean fishing is open year round on the Oregon Coast.
Many of our customers have spent one day on the river and one day on the ocean, for a great combination of action during their trip to Brookings.
To learn more about ocean charters, visit www.brookingsfishing.com.
For information on river trips, visit www.wildriversfishing.com. Call (541) 813-1082 to book a fishing trip.