The ocean salmon season off of the mouth of the Chetco River in Brookings, Ore., got off to a slow start, but has since picked up. Best of all, the salmon are averaging 30 pounds, and fish to 50 pounds have been caught.

The ocean season closed Oct. 12, but when the river opens above rivermile 2.2 in November, fishing should be excellent, predicts guide Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing (www.wildriversfishing.com) in Brookings.

Only a couple dozen salmon were caught during the Oct. 1 opener. Since then, 30 to 50 fish a day have been caught, and they are all big fish.

Andy says he has been trolling plug-cut herring.

Expect fishing to improve in the mouth of the river over the next few weeks, baring a major rain, and then good fishing when the river opens.

Fish Species: Fall king salmon
Bait Used: Plug-cut herring
Tackle Used: Wright & McGill salmon rods, Penn reels
Method Used: Trolling
Water Depth:
Water Temperature: 52
Wind Direction:
Wind Speed:
Rick of Seattle with a Chetco River king caught off the mouth of the river Oct. 7 with guide Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing.
Rick of Seattle with a Chetco River king caught off the mouth of the river Oct. 7 with guide Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing.


Do you want to leave a comment? Login or register now to leave a comment.


No comments so far

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.

206-388-8988
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain Andy Martin