“Steelhead fishing was improving on the Chetco before this week’s big storm arrived,” said Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “During high water conditions late last week and on Monday, fishing was fair, with most boats getting a fish or two, and plunkers catching steelhead on the lower river gravel bars. Side-drifting roe or beads, or running plugs in the softer water close to shore produced steelhead to 18 pounds over the weekend. Depending on how much rain falls mid-week, the Chetco could fish again by Saturday, but also could be blown out through the weekend. Expect peak season type fishing as the Chetco drops.”

According to Martin, the Sixes has been blown out for more than a week, while the Elk fished slowly for steelhead on Sunday, with lots of boats and only a few fish caught. “The lower Rogue was a good bet before Monday night’s storm, with plunkers and jet boaters getting fish over the weekend.”