Heavy rain has limited the number of days anglers have been able to fish the Chetco River in Southern Oregon, but when the river has been below 5,000 cfs, fishing has been good, reports guide Andy Martin of www.wildriversfishing, who has been on the Chetco several times this month.

When the river has been dropping between storms, drift-boaters side-drifting small roe clusters have been finding fish. There have been an above average number of hatchery fish in the river, along with good numbers of wild fish.

Fishing peaks January through February, and based on early catches, we are in for a great season.

Fishing has been best from Ice Box to Social Security bar, reports Martin. Fishing has been slower in the upper river, but the crowds also have been smaller in the Forest Service portion.

Prime dates are available for January and February. Call (206) 388-8988 or visit www.wildriversfishing.com to get in on the action.

Fish Species: Steelhead
Bait Used: Roe cured in Pautzke BorxOFire
Tackle Used: Size 2 Lazer Sharp hooks, Wright & McGill spinning rods, 10 pound leader
Method Used: side-drifting
Water Depth:
Water Temperature:
Wind Direction:
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Our first steelhead of the year.
Our first steelhead of the year.

A nice Chetco River hatchery fish.
A nice Chetco River hatchery fish.


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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