As of today, February 15th 2010, most of Oregon's coastal rivers are currently at ideal water levels for both drift boat and bank fishing. While a few of the north coast streams have reported some stellar days, rivers in the south west region continue to produce the most consistent results for winter steelhead. Reports of good catches on the Chetco, Elk & Sixes, and on the Coos and Coquille systems continue to come in. We are now entering the latter part of the winter steelhead season when the big native fish comprise a higher component of the total catch.

Bright Winter Steelhead Always Bring a Smile

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.