Chetco/Elk/Sixes
Salmon fishing has been slow on the Chetco since it opened last Saturday according to Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “I drifted from the South Fork on Tuesday, focusing on steelhead, and found a few half-pounders up high, said Martin. “Lots of salmon are spawning in the riffles. A few adult steelhead have been caught on the lower river, both by plunkers and drift boaters. A slide between Ice Box and Loeb will likely add lots of color to the river during the next few storms.” According to Martin, the Elk is low, but the Sixes has been fishable, with decent catch rates for fall salmon. “Expect the Elk to rise with the latest series of storms this week. Both rivers will be the best bet for salmon this late in the season,” added Martin.

Kenny Priest operates Fishing the North Coast, a fishing guide service out of Humboldt specializing in salmon and steelhead. Find it on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and www.fishingthenorthcoast.com. For up-to-date fishing reports and North Coast river information, email kenny@fishingthenorthcoast.com.