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.
A nice steelhead from the Chetco River caught with guide Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing.
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.
Corkies and roe have been the best producers for steelhead this winter on the Chetco and Smith rivers.
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.
A double hookup of steelhead on the Smith River for guide Sam Stover.
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.
Limits of lingcod on the Miss Brooke in February 2025.
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.
BROOKINGS, Ore. – A hurricane-like storm has sidelined fishing guides and anglers throughout the Pacific Northwest, but before heavy rains blew out every river from Northern California to British Columbia, salmon fishing was in full swing on the Chetco, Smith, Elk and Sixes rivers. Winds over 80 mph slammed the Southern Oregon Coast overnight, bringing several inches of rain. The local rivers are expected to be blown out until around Thanksgiving.
Longtime customer Tyler with a large Elk River hatchery king that bit a 5.0 Jaw Breaker MagLip.
The Wild Rivers Fishing crew – Capt. Andy, Sam, Rye, Mick, Eric and Chris – were busy running drift boat trips on the local rivers near Brookings, Oregon, with good success, before the big storm. Salmon have been in the Chetco and Smith since early September, and after rains around Halloween, the drift boat season was in peak-season form. Earlier in September, fishing had been good in the Chetco River estuary.
Capt. Rye with a trophy hatchery king salmon caught in the Chetco estuary in early October.
Salmon to 50 pounds were caught on the Chetco and Smith this season, with plenty of fish over 40 pounds. Local guides have been catching salmon on MagLip plugs, roe and sand shrimp fished below bobbers, and back-bouncing roe.
Capt. Mick holds a chrome-bright Chetco River king from early November.Capt. Sam with a large Smith River king that was caught and released by a customer in November.Capt. Andy with a large hatchery king from the Elk River in November.
The peak season for fall king salmon was early November. Fresh fish will continue to move into the local rivers through December, while steelhead also will arrive next month. Peak season for winter steelhead on the Chetco and Smith is January and February, although December can produce decent fishing, especially on high-water years, which this appears to be.
The Chetco estuary kicked off this year’s river salmon season. The area along with jetties was crowded, but produced good fishing. A local angler fishing in his own boat caught a 52-pound king. Numerous fish close to 45 pounds or bigger also were caught.
After the first rains, our crew switched to drift boats, first fishing roe and sand shrimp below bobbers on the Chetco tidewater, and then switching gears to the Smith River after its first opener of the season. Fishing was wide open on the Smith. Capt. Sam and Capt. Andy both enjoyed 30-plus-fish days with customers when the river first opened, with a hot back-bouncing bite in the deeper upriver holes.
Longtime customer Haley with a nice Chetco River king caught with Capt. Rye.
Another rain storm arrived, kicking off the plug season on the Chetco and Smith. 5.0 MagLip plugs were hot this season, producing countless kings for our crew.
Our newest guides, Chris and Eric, both enjoyed success in their drift boats with customers. Chris and Eric have been deckhands on our ocean charter boats, and are now full-time fishing guides and charter boat captains. Chris earned his US Coast Guard captains license this year, and Eric, who graduated in June, is taking his captain’s class and will be running an ocean boat as well next summer.
Capt. Chris has been getting customers into lots of nice kings this fall.Eric has been a deckhand for us since he was 16 and is now a guide and soon-to-be ocean captain. Here’s a nice king from an estuary trip in October deckhanding for Capt. Rye.The largest king caught so far this season with our crew, a 50-pound caught on the Chetco with Capt. Mick.
The Elk and Sixes will be solid bets for salmon in December, while the Upper Chetco and Smith also get their share of late-run kings. Steelhead fishing is usually best on the Smith in December, with a mix of halfpounders and early adults. The Chetco has been known to produce good steelhead action by mid-December as well. In recent years, the Wild Rivers Fishing crew has caught bright kings on the Elk and Sixes as late as Christmas Eve.
Wild Rivers Fishing founder and head guide Andy Martin with a perfect Chetco River king from mid-November. The fish hit a HawgNose FlatFish.
To book a winter steelhead trip, call (541) 813-1082. www.wildriversfishing.com.
To learn more about the ocean charters our crew runs during the spring and summer, visit www.brookingsfishing.com.
Here are some more photos from our great salmon action this fall.
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 53-pound king salmon caught by a private angler in his own boat at the mouth of the Chetco River in September 2024. Photo courtesy Mike at ODFW.
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!
58-pounder!65-pound Chetco record!Just under 50 pounds!Fall fishing in the beautful Chetco River with Capt. Andy.
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.
A giant king caught last fall with Capt. Sam in the Chetco River.
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.
Capt. Mick with a hefty king from last fall on the Chetco River.
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.
Capt. Sam helps a young angler with a trophy Chetco king, which was released!Capt. Rye hoists a trophy Chetco king, which was released!
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.
Limits of Elk River kings with Capt. Andy.Capt. Sam taking a crew down the spectacular Elk River last fall.
BROOKINGS, Ore. – There has been no shortage of rain this year on the Southern Oregon Coast, and the result has been tough steelhead fishing on the Chetco, Smith, Elk and Sixes rivers, as high flows have limited the opportunity to side-drift for the prized fish.
In January alone, Brookings received 42 inches of rain. February also is off to a wetter-than-average start, although drier weather is expected later this month. During high water, steelhead quickly move through the system toward the spawning grounds near the headwaters of the river. This year, with so much high water, the majority of the fish appear to have blasted through while the rivers were high and muddy. By the time they dropped back into shape, many of the fish from the winter run had already spawned.
A happy customer holds a bright hatchery steelhead caught in early February on the Chetco River with Capt. Mick. They were side-drifting roe and Corkies.
In early January, just before a flood event on the Chetco and Smith, steelhead fishing busted open. Guides from Wild Rivers Fishing were getting two to four steelhead a day. Then heavy rains arrived, and the Chetco rose more than 10 feet, hitting 50,000 cfs. The Smith topped 100,000 cfs for a few hours in early January. It took several weeks for the rivers to recover from the minor flood stage and drop to levels low enough for side drifting. By the times the rivers were in shape, fishing was slow, as many of the fish had already spawned and headed back to the ocean.
A nice steelhead from the Chetco in early January, before the flood event.Flows on the Chetco reached 50,000 cfs, pushing the river over its banks and into the parking lot at Loeb State Park and Social Security Bar.
The Chetco was unfishable most of January. The Smith was high, and anglers had decent steelhead action sitting on anchor and running plugs or plunking Spin-N-Glos. During high water, side-drifting is less effective, because the water is moving extremely fast and visibility is limited. It is difficult to get baits in front of steelhead while side-drifting in high flows. The Chetco fishes best below 4,000 cfs, and there were only a few days in January when the river was below that level. This Smith was also above its optimal level for side-drifting, staying above 10,000 cfs for most of January.
A nice steelhead caught on the Smith River with Capt. Andy while plunking Spin-N-Glos from a drift boat.
In early February, fishing improved on the Chetco with better conditions for side-drifting. Fishing was decent, but not red hot. Our guides were averaging a fish or two per trip.
Drier weather is expected the second half of February. The Chetco remains open through March, while the Smith is open through April. The later part of the season usually produces a mix of fresh steelhead and spawned out adult steelhead heading back to the ocean. Our guides will be fishing through the end of the season, while also running ocean trips for lingcod and rockfish. The first lingcod trip of the season produced nice limits on the Miss Brooke.
Limits of lingcod caught on the Miss Brooke in January with Capt. Andy.A big steelhead caught on the Upper Chetco with Capt. Andy in early February.A nice Elk River steelhead caught with Capt. Rye in late January.A young angler holds his first steelhead, caught on the Chetco with Capt. Sam.
To learn more about ocean charters, visit www.brookingsfishing.com. For more information on guided drift boat trips, visit www.wildriversfishing.com. Ocean and river trips can be booked by calling (541) 813-1082.
BROOKINGS, Ore. – Steelhead season has gotten off to a slow start throughout the Oregon Coast and on the Smith River in far Northern California, as catch rates the first week of January were below average, with good conditions but few fish. The last few days, catch rates have improved as adult winter steelhead begin moving in from the ocean.
An ocean-fresh steelhead from the Upper Chetco River in January 2024.A first steelhead for a young angler fishing with his father during a guided trip with Capt. Andy on the Chetco River in January 2024.
Guides fishing from drift boats and plunkers fishing from shore reported slow fishing at the end of December and first of January on the Chetco, Elk, Sixes, Smith and other nearby rivers. Fishing also was slow further up the coast on the Coquille, Umpqua and Tillamook area rivers. The last few days, with dropping river flows and calmer ocean conditions – at least on the South Coast – more steelhead began to move upstream. Plunkers fishing on the lower Chetco are catching a handful of fish a day, while guides are getting a fish or two a trip. Big rains are expected again this week, but as rivers drop back into shape, steelhead season should be in full swing.
Side-drifting the Smith River in January 2024, one of the most scenic drift boat trips on the planet.
Capt. Andy has been fishing daily, and averaging one to two steelhead a day. He has been side-drifting roe and Corkies, launching on the Upper Chetco. Andy is one of the very limited number of guides with a special-use permit from the US Forest Service to fish the Wild and Scenic section of the Chetco from the South Fork to Ice Box, or Second Bridge. With a limited number of guides on that stretch, catch rates are often higher, and anglers are treated to a much less crowded fishing experience.
Steelhead at the end of the rainbow on the Chetco, as Marty found out a few casts later.Upper Chetco steelhead fishing.
Steelhead season runs through March on the Chetco, and April on the Smith. Peak season is mid-January through February. The river has been in prime shape the last few days, but is expected to blow out this week with heavy rain, and possible snowmelt. As it comes back into shape, expect better numbers of fish, and peak-season style fishing.
To book a Chetco or Smith river drift boat steelhead trip, visit www.wildriversfishing.com or call our booking office, (541) 813-1082.
BROOKINGS, Ore. – Fall salmon season has come to an end on the Southern Oregon coast, while the first winter steelhead of the season are now arriving on the Chetco, Smith, Elk and Sixes rivers. Peak season for steelhead is January and February, but fishable numbers of these prized fish have already arrived on the coastal rivers of the Oregon Coast.
Longtime customer Scott from Denver caught the first adult winter steelhead of the season on our boats in early December.
The Wild Rivers Fishing crew ran its first steelhead trips of the season last week. Capt. Andy got into a handful of adult winter steelhead on the Chetco. Capt. Sam ran a trip on the Smith, and encountered big numbers of halfpounder steelhead, a sign the main run is about to arrive. The first steelhead of the season have entered the fish trap at Rowdy Creek Hatchery on the lower Smith River.
One of many nice hatchery salmon caught this fall bobber fishing on the Chetco River.
Salmon season was decent on the Chetco this fall, with a very good estuary season, and fair fishing upriver once the fall rains arrived. Big numbers of salmon spawned, however, signaling a strong run on the Chetco. The Smith River was closed to salmon fishing this fall, but the hatchery had a big return, and impressive numbers of salmon have just finished spawning on the Smith, evident by spawned out salmon spread throughout the river.
Nice salmon from the Chetco River estuary in October.
Steelhead are caught from drift boats, with two anglers and a guide floating downriver, casting small clusters of roe and Corkies or Puff Balls. The trips are fast-paced, using light spinning tackle and covering large sections of the river, fishing nearly the entire drift downriver. On the Smith River, our guides have special-use permits from the US Forest Service to launch at the Forks, and drift through Redwood National Park. Fishing for steelhead beneath towering redwood trees is a truly unique experience.
Capt. Sam running a rapid on the Elk River in early November.
On the Chetco, Capt. Andy, Mick and Travis have limited-entry Forest Service permits to fish the Wild and Scenic Upper Chetco. Only a small number of guides have these coveted permits to launch at the South Fork, Redwood Bar, Nook Bar and Miller Bar on the Chetco.
Most steelhead run 6-10 pounds, although the average size is a couple pounds bigger on the Smith. The Chetco River record is 28 pounds, while a pair of California record 27-plus pound steelhead have been caught on the Smith River.
The Chetco estuary was a great opportunity for young anglers to catch salmon this year.
Our steelhead trips are run by Capt. Andy, Rye, Mick, Sam, Travis and Shane. New for 2024, two of our ocean deckhands, Eric and Chris, also will be running a few winter steelhead trips during the peak season.
During Capt. Andy’s first trip of the season last week, he drifted from the South Fork to Social Security Bar. Lots of salmon were observed spawning on the Upper River. On the lower river, his group hooked four steelhead and landed two.
Capt. Andy with an early season steelhead from the Chetco in December.
The estuary salmon season kicked off in late August, with a few fish caught every day along the jetties. By September and early October, big numbers of king salmon were staging in the Chetco River estuary, waiting for fall rains. Mick, Rye and Sam had good seasons trolling the estuary with their jet boats.
As the first fall rains arrived, big numbers of salmon moved upriver, into the tidewater and above. We used drift boats to fish the river above tidewater in late October, catching salmon on roe and sandshrimp suspended above the bottom with bobbers. After heavy rains in early November, there was a week of good fishing with plugs and back-bouncing roe, but the majority of the run quickly moved upstream and spawned. There also were a few weeks of good fishing on the Elk and Sixes rivers. Capt. Sam caught our big fish of the year, a king close to 45 pounds caught and released by a young angler from Washington State, Austin Han.
Capt. Sam and Austin prepare to release a lunker Chetco River king.
Our main focus for the next two months is steelhead on the Smith, Chetco, Elk and Sixes rivers. All of our river guides are also saltwater charter boat captains with Brookings Fishing Charters, www.brookingsfishing.com.
There will be plenty of opportunities to catch salmon this year on the Oregon Coast, both in the ocean and the bays and rivers, and forecasts show strong runs of kings are expected back to Chetco and Rogue rivers, while the ocean coho salmon prediction is well above average.
Anglers hold limits of hatchery coho salmon from the ocean out of Brookings from last season.
State regulators in California made the decision to shut down salmon fishing in the ocean, as well as Sacramento, Klamath, Trinity, Smith and other rivers. Drought conditions four years ago impacted salmon runs on the Sacramento and Klamath rivers. Oregon rivers, however, are open as normal, while ocean anglers will be allowed to fish for hatchery coho salmon. Huge numbers of coho salmon produced by state and tribal hatcheries on the Columbia River are expected to fuel a summer-long ocean salmon season in Oregon.
A double hookup of coho last summer on the Kraken out of Brookings. Deckhand Eric on the net.
The ocean salmon season opens June 17 out of Brookings. Since the bulk of the king salmon caught in the ocean on the Southern Oregon Coast during the summer originate from the Sacramento and Klamath rivers (those salmon spend the ocean portion of their lives feeding off of Oregon and Northern California instead of migrating to Alaska), no kings can be kept on the Oregon Coast this summer. But biologists predict an ocean abundance of coho salmon from the Columbia River and Oregon Coast streams to be more than 1 million fish. That has led to a 110,000-fish quota this summer from Brookings to Tillamook. Anglers can keep two hatchery coho salmon a day June 17-Aug. 31. During the early part of the season, Brookings often has the best catch rates on the Oregon Coast, as the Columbia River coho salmon journey south into California as juveniles, then make their way back up the coast as they migrate back to their home rivers after two years in the ocean. Peak season for ocean coho is the second half of June and first half of July.
Coho salmon offer fast and furious action, and are great from anglers of all age and experience levels.
Wild Rivers Fishing and Brookings Fishing Charters offers salmon trips daily, weather permitting. Each of the Wild Rivers Fishing guides – Andy Martin, Rye Phillips, Travis Sallander, Mick Thomas and Sam Stover – are also charter boat captains and run charter boats out of Brookings during the summer months.
Coho are caught trolling anchovies or herring, or spinners behind flashers. Each summer, the Brookings Fishing Charters captains enjoy the highest catch rates of any ocean charter company in Brookings for salmon, as each of the captains are longtime salmon fishing guides. Action is often fast and furious, with multiple hookups, and fish-after-fish action during a hot bite.
Salmon on the Rogue Bay are big and bright. These kings were caught with Capt. Andy during a previous season.
The Rogue Bay is expecting another strong salmon return. The spring salmon season was the best in recent memory in 2023, with limits throughout the season. Bay fishing begins in June and continues into October. Anglers troll anchovies along the jetties in Gold Beach, up to the Highway 101 bridge over the Rogue. July and August are peak season on the Rogue Bay. Two wild kings a day may be kept, along with five jack salmon. Coho arrive in the bay in September and October.
Capt. Andy holds a 58-pound salmon caught in the Chetco River estuary in 2009. It is one of the biggest kings ever caught in the Chetco estuary.
The Chetco River has some of the largest king salmon on the entire West Coast, and last year’s run was above average. Fishing is expected to be as good, or better, this year. Wild Rivers Fishing begins the season in September, trolling along the jetties. As salmon move upriver, guides begin targeting the kings using roe and sand shrimp fished below bobbers. Back-bouncing roe and running MagLip plugs is the preferred technique as rains increase river flows in October and November. Anglers are allowed to keep two adult salmon a day on the Chetco, one of which may be wild.
The modern-day Chetco River record king, a 65-pounder caught with Capt. Andy on a HawgNose FlatFish.
The Elk and Sixes rivers near Port Orford, Oregon, also have strong salmon runs. These rivers fish best in late October and early November. Big numbers of hatchery salmon return to the Elk River, home of Elk River Hatchery, while the Sixes has larger wild kings. Catch rates are often highest after the first big rains of fall, but fishing continues well into November on both of these rivers.
A 48-pound king from the Chetco River with Capt. Andy.Limits of Elk River kings from last season with Capt. Andy.
Just a few of the salmon from last season on the Chetco River with Wild Rivers Fishing.
During the fall and winter, the Wild Rivers Fishing crew runs guided drift boat trips on the Chetco, Smith, Elk and Sixes rivers for salmon and steelhead. As spring arrives, our crew shifts gears, putting the drift boats away and instead focuses on ocean charters out of the Port of Brookings. Our team of guides are also full-time charter boat captains for Brookings Fishing Charters.
A 28-pound lingcod caught in mid-March aboard the Nauti-Lady with Capt. Andy.
Capt. Andy, Capt. Rye, Capt. Mick, Capt. Sam, Capt. Michael, Capt. Shane and Capt. Travis run charters boats for lingcod and rockfish during the spring. Stormy weather kept boats at the dock for much of January and February, but in mid-March, the ocean settled down and fishing has been good. Last week was the unofficial kickoff of the ocean season, with light winds and small swells.
The biggest lingcod so far is a 28-pounder caught last Sunday aboard the Nauti-Lady with Capt. Andy. Several other fish close to 20 pounds also have been caught.
Bruce and Vince with limits of lingcod caught last week on the Nauti-Lady.
Frequent Wild Rivers Fishing customers Bruce and Vince fished aboard the Nauti-Lady last week, and caught limits of nice lingcod. Bruce was the jackpot winner for the day as well. They caught lingcod and rockfish near House Rock, about 6 miles north of Brookings.
Capt. Sam gaffs a lingcod for Bruce on the Nauti-Lady.Anglers hold limits of lingcod caught on the Miss Brooke with Capt. Travis.
Lingcod and rockfish is open year round out of Brookings. Salmon season opens in June. Halibut season opens May 1. The Point St. George Reef Lighthouse, home to some of the best lingcod fishing on the Pacific Coast, opens May 15. Albacore tuna arrive in July.
Capt. Mick helps a young angler hold his limit of lingcod from the Nauti-Lady in late March.Nauti-Lady deckhand Kirby holds a lingcod caught by Sarah, the office manager at Brookings Fishing Charters.
Steelhead fishing is winding down on the Chetco and Smith. Capt. Mick and Sam are still running a few trips. The season closes March 31 on the Chetco, and April 30 on the Smith. With good flows, steelhead will continue to arrive through the end of the season. Spring salmon also are arriving now on the lower Rogue River.
Limits of lingcod from the Miss Brooke in mid-March with Capt. Travis and Capt. Andy.
To learn more about our ocean fishing charters, visit www.brookingsfishing.com, or call (541) 813-1082.
The 2023 steelhead run on the Chetco and Smith rivers, as well as most coastal rivers in Oregon and Northern California, is turning out to be below average, with tough fishing and challenging conditions. After weeks of high water in December and early January, the rivers are now low and clear. Fish numbers appear to be down coastwide.
The Wild Rivers Fishing team of guides has been finding some nice fish the past several weeks. With less fish around, anglers are having to make every bite count to end the day with a fish or two. Catch rates improved in early February, as most out-of-town guides left for other rivers. Aside from the Chetco and Smith, a few steelhead are being caught on the Eel, as well as the Umpqua rivers.
While the overall action has been slow, there have been some highlights. Capt. Mick has got customers into several double-hookups this year. After a few hours of no bites, he has encountered schools for fish that suddenly want to bite.
Capt. Mick lifts the net after his customers landed a double hookup on the Smith.Quick photo and release after a double hookup.
Capt. Andy also got customers into a double hookup on the Chetco. The fight was entertaining, as one fish raced upstream while the second ran downstream.
A double hookup on the Chetco with Capt. Andy.
Rain expected this week should bring in some late fish. Historically, the last weekend in February yields good fishing. That was the traditional time of the Rowdy Creek Derby on the Smith and Chetco. The derby is not being held this year.
Capt. Andy holds a nice hatchery steelhead from the Chetco in January.
Capt. Rye has been focusing on the Smith, where he has been getting customers into some really nice steelhead. The Smith is a big draw not only for its large steelhead – it is home to the California state record – but also the spectacular scenery. There is nothing like catching steelhead next to towering redwood trees.
Capt. Rye with a nice Smith River steelhead.
Capt. Sam has been fishing the Smith and Chetco rivers. He has encountered some nice-size steelhead on both rivers.
Capt. Sam with a nice Smith River steelhead.
The Wild Rivers Fishing team of guides has donated several fish to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife broodstock program on the Chetco. Wild fish are used to produce eggs for the hatchery program.
A customer gives a thumbs up after catching a steelhead that was placed in a live well to transport it downriver to a holding pen for the hatchery program.
Steelhead season remains open on the Chetco through March. The Smith River in Northern California is open to steelhead fishing through April. Wild Rivers Fishing guides Andy Martin, Rye Phillips, Mick Thomas, Sam Stover and Shane Brooks will run trips through the season, while also shifting gears to lingcod and rockfish out of Brookings. For more on ocean charters, visit www.brookingsfishing.com.
Here are a few of the steelhead from the 2023 season.
Steelhead have arrived early in the Chetco River, a good sign as the peak season rapidly approaches. Guides fishing for Wild Rivers Fishing have been finding a mix of hatchery and wild steelhead in the Chetco, along with late fall salmon. An early showing of steelhead in December generally signals good fishing in January and February, when the bulk of the run arrives.
Don Williams holds a hatchery steelhead caught in December with Capt. Mick.
Heavy rain just before Christmas is expected to blow the Chetco out for several days, but as it drops into shape around New Year’s Day, except very good fishing. Big numbers of steelhead have already moved into the river, and more fish will come with the higher flows.
Throughout December, steelhead were caught as guides targeted late fall salmon. Capt. Sam got a customer into the first adult steelhead of the season, while Capt. Michael and Capt. Mick also have enjoyed success on the lower Chetco River for winter steelhead. Most of the steelhead have been caught side-drifting roe, but a few also have been caught with MagLip plugs.
Eric holds a large Chetco River steelhead caught in December with Capt. Michael.A nice December steelhead caught with Capt. Mick on the Chetco River.An early steelhead caught with Capt. Mick on the Chetco River in December 2022.
The Wild Rivers Fishing guides are licensed in Oregon and California and offer winter steelhead drift boat trips on the Chetco, Smith, Elk and Sixes rivers. Peak season is January and February, but fresh fish arrive well into March. Capt. Andy, Mick and Travis are licensed to take customer to the Wild and Scenic section of the Upper Chetco River, home to some of the best steelhead fishing in Oregon.
The Chetco is home to a healthy run of wild steelhead, and also has large numbers of hatchery fish, especially in late January and early February. Both wild and hatchery steelhead may be kept.
On the Smith, only hatchery steelhead can be kept, but anglers have a decent chance at a large fish. Steelhead over 20 pounds are caught each winter.
