Chetco, Smith, Rogue, Umpqua, Elk, Sixes, Coos and Coquille Rivers at their Best! phone_iphone541.813.1082  /  206.388.8988

Steelhead season begins on Chetco, Smith rivers

BROOKINGS, Ore. – Winter steelhead are running bigger than average so far on the Chetco and Smith rivers, as the 2026 season begins with big fish, and better numbers than the last few years. Plenty of water from winter storms, and plentiful fish have anglers anxiously awaiting the peak season, which will likely begin the end of next week.

A nice New Year’s Eve steelhead caught with guide Andy Martin on the Upper Chetco River.

Steelhead season runs December through March on the Southern Oregon and Northern California coasts, but January and February typically produce the best fishing. Lots of half-pounders, steelhead in the 16- to 22-inch range, were present at the end of the fall salmon season, and by December, fish over 10 pounds were being caught. So far, January has produced good fishing when the rivers have been fishable. A big storm event blew the rivers out this weekend, but prime conditions are expected beginning Wednesday of next week.

Before the storm, plunkers fishing large Spin-N-Glos from the lower river gravel bars were reporting good catches on both the Chetco and Smith rivers. Drift boat traffic was light, but the local guides drifting the river were enjoying good catches, with multiple-fish days.

Guide Andy Martin with a hefty Chetco River hatchery steelhead.
Customers fishing with guide Sam Stover hold one of the four steelhead they hooked on New Year’s Day on the Chetco River.
A nice Smith River steelhead caught in late December with guide Sam Stover.

Fishing from a drift boat for winter steelhead is a unique experience. As the guide maneuvers and rows the boat downstream, two anglers in front of the boat use light spinning rods to cast tiny clusters of roe and yarn using a technique known as side-drifting or free-drifting. The method is extremely effective, as large sections of water are covered in a fast-paced fishing trip, often drifting down 10 miles or more of river. Anglers also will use plugs, such as Yakima Bait Co. MagLips to intercept steelhead as they swim upriver.

The Chetco and Smith are two of the most scenic steelhead rivers in the world, and also very productive. The Wild Rivers Fishing team of guides has special use permits to fish the upper section of the Chetco River, located in a Forest Service Wild and Scenic area, as well as the Smith River, drifting through Redwood National Park.

Fishing aboard a drift boat is a unique fishing experience.

To book a steelhead trip on the Chetco, Smith, Elk or Sixes rivers, call (541) 813-1082 or visit www.wildriversfishing.com for more information.

Here are a few more early season catches with the Wild Rivers Fishing crew.

Our Signature Trips

•   Chetco River   •

The Chetco is one of Oregon’s premier salmon and steelhead rivers, and our most popular fishery. It produces more kings over 50 pounds.

•   Smith River   •

The Smith River is known for its large run of giant king salmon, as well as numerous steelhead of over 20 pounds.

•   Rogue River   •

The Rogue River is one of the few rivers in the world that has salmon and steelhead fishing twelve months a year!

•   Coquille Bay   •

The Coquille and Coos Bays have most prolific early fall salmon fishing on Oregon Coast!

•   Elk and Sixes   •

For sheer numbers of king salmon, the Elk River is hard to beat. The Elk and Sixes both have late fall runs, peaking in December.

•   Brookings Ocean Charters   •

Capt. Andy Martin spent 10 years guiding in Alaska but now guides and runs charter boats year round in Brookings, Oregon.
Call Captain Andy Martin   •   541.813.1082 / 206.388.8988 Wild Rivers Fishing, P.O. Box 1646, Brookings, OR 97415