The focus on our coastal rivers now changes from salmon to winter steelhead with the turn of the year. The Coquille and the Millacoma have had some good days already on wimter steelhead, as has Cedar Creek, a tributary to the Nestucca River up north.

A nice surge of bright Kings have provided great sport in late 2009 on the Elk & Sixes Rivers

I recently observed ODFW personnel and volunteers seining adult salmon down on the Chetco River as hatchery broodstock. Fish will be spawned and then raised at Elk River Hachery and then released next fall to produce the next generation of "Chetco Clippers." After 3-5 years in the ocean, the survivors should return to the Chetco as adults, some to prvide sport and others to repeat the cycle.

November and December are peak months for tying into an Elk River monster salmon. Be sure to contact me for a guided driftboat fishing trip on the Elk or Sixes if you'd like to try your luck.

Upcoming rains will soon raise river and stream levels in southern Oregon enough to allow boaters good access to the famous Fall Chinook fishery down on the Elk & Sixes Rivers. Don't miss your chance to book a trip for the opportinity to catch the fish of a lifetime. November and December are the best months. This fishery is followed immediately by the winter steelhead run which continues through March and provides great sport on most of Oregon's coastal rivers.

In recent weeks we have seen a huge percentage of Chinook Jacks in the catch mix in estuaries and rivers up and down the Oregon coast. This bodes favorably for next year's run of adult Fall Chinook! Meanwhile, silvers are making agreat showing as well, reflecting improved recent ocean conditions causing an upwelling of nutients which transitions through the entire marine food chain.