Chetco hatchery steelhead appearing
<p>Steelhead fishing has been good on the Chetco River in Southern Oregon between major storms.
We've been getting two to seven steelhead a day, all chrome-bright in the 8- to 12-pound range, with a few bigger.
The Chetco fishes best below 4,000 cfs. Today it's around 7,000 as it continues to drop from a crest of 10,000 yesterday. When it gets back into shape Friday or early Saturday, expect more good fishing.
Before the latest rain, fishing was good between Ice Box and Social Security. We've been side-drifting small roe clusters with Puff Balls. Orange worked well when the river was 5,000 to 3,500 cfs, then pink was the hot color.
We've seen a lot more hatchery fish in recent days, a really good sign. Still lots of wild fish too.
The Chetco's peak season for steelhead is mid-January through February. When the river begins fishing again this weekend, we could get some of the best action so far this season, and it will continue into February.
More rain is expected Sunday. Hopefully it's just enough to keep the river that perfect green color.
The bank anglers will start getting them today, plunking large Spin-N-Glos at Social Security and the Water Tower.
For the latest weather conditions and water levels, check out my Web site
http://www.wildriversfishing.com/
Good luck! Feel free to call for information and reports or if you have any questions about the Chetco.
- Andy Martin
Wild Rivers Fishing
www.wildriversfishing.com
(206) 388-8988
Two of the steelhead we caught last Saturday. Nice hatchery chromers!
Chad McCoy's steelhead from last week, caught with Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing.
About The Author: Captain Andy Martin
Company: Wild Rivers Fishing Oregon and Alaska
Area Reporting: Oregon, Alaska
Bio: Andy Martin is a well-known Oregon and Alaska fishing guide and charter boat captain. He targets trophy halibut in Alaska, as well as six-fish-per-person limits of silver salmon. In Oregon, he catches some of the biggest salmon in the Northwest, including trophy king salmon over 60 pounds. Oregon salmon and steelhead trips are done out of clean, heated jet boats and drift boats on the Rogue and Chetco rivers. Andy also is a prolific outdoor writer, regular contributing to Fish Alaska, Salmon Trout Steelheader, Saltwater Sportsman, Game & Fish, Oregon Hunter, California Sportsman, Northwest Sportsman and ESPN Outdoors.
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