BROOKINGS, Ore. - Anglers continued to find good numbers of bright steelhead in the Chetco River last week, with the handful of guides still fishing it before the latest rains reporting five- to 10-fish days.
"We had a couple of six-fish days, and I saw one guide hook up with at least 10," said guide Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing in Brookings.
Prior to the Chetco blowing out Jan. 13 after heavy rain the night before, the river was low and clear and most guides and other drift boaters headed elsewhere. Those who remained found big numbers of fish in the lower river.
"You could actually see the steelhead holding in the tailouts at Loeb, Emily Creek, Tamba and the Piling Hole," Martin said. "They were just sitting in the shallow flats. We used small baits and made long casts and were able to really get them three days in a row."
Mike Krengloskie of Oakland was able to hook limits of hatchery steelhead two days in a row with Martin, including a 17-pounder. He also released wild fish.
"We used yarn and tiny clusters of eggs with size 4 Lazer Sharp hooks," Martin said.
Rains blew the Chetco out Jan. 13 and again Jan. 16, but fishing was good again Jan. 15 between the storms. Plunkers reported good numbers of fresh fish at Social Security Bar, while side-drifters went high and found fish.
"The river is expected to reach 22,000 cfs on Monday, but could fish again by Wednesday. The forecast for the upcoming weekend looks really good," Martin said.
