We have been getting two to six steelhead a day on the Chetco. Here's my latest report.
BROOKINGS, Ore. -- Following two big winter storms during the second half of December, steelhead fishing is heating up on Oregon's Chetco River, already producing the kind of results normally seen during peak season.
"The Chetco dropped back into shape today after blowing out Sunday, and there were fish spread out throughout the lower river," guide Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing said Wednesday. "We got bites in just about every good run, and hooked five fish. The biggest one was 17 pounds."
Fishing was also good Friday before the river blew out over the weekend.
"Since a good push of fish arrived last week, there should be decent numbers of steelhead clear up to the South Fork by now," Martin said.
More than half of the catch so far has been wild fish, an indication of a strong run this season.
"The best fishing has been from the Piling Hole down, but it's worthwhile to drift from Ice Box or even higher," Martin said.
With relatively high water Wednesday, Martin's clients side-drifted the edges of the river.
"We used sploosh balls combined with five-shot slinkies to get down quickly, and used slightly larger-than-normal roe clusters," Martin said. "All the strikes came on eggs cured in Pautzke's natural-colored BorxOFire."
Steelhead fishing typically peaks in late January or early February on the Chetco, so anglers appear to be in store for a great season, Martin said.
The steelhead are averaging a solid 8 to 12 pounds, with fish in the high teens already showing up.
For current reports, check out https://www.wildriversfishing.com or call (206) 388-8988.
