Rain arrives, salmon in Chetco and Smith (Oct. 25, 2015)

Rain is falling today on the Southern Oregon and Northern California coast, and the Chetco and Smith rivers are slowly rising, Both are still very low, but there are big numbers of salmon in the lower sections of both rivers.
We caught salmon last week in the tidewater sections of both rivers, either trolling herring, or floating salmon roe and sand shrimp below bobbers.
The Smith River is still closed below Rowdy Creek and flows need to surpass 600 cfs for the river to open. They are around 270 cfs this morning. The Chetco is around 110 cfs.
Until we get enough rain for an upstream opener on the Smith, we will be bobber fishing the lower section of the Chetco. The rain will help make the fish more active and bring in some fresh, bright fish.
Prime time for the drift boat season on the Chetco River, Smith River, Elk River and Sixes River is rapidly approaching. I have several local guides available for the peak season. This is when we see some of our biggest salmon of the year.
To book a trip, call (541) 813-1082 or visit www.wildriversfishing.com,
Below is one of the nice salmon we caught last week on the lower Chetco River.
- Andy Martin
www.brookingsfishing.com
www.wildriversfishing.com
(541) 813-1082
(206) 388-8988 cell

A 25-pound kings caught on the lower Chetco River last week on a plug-cut herring with guide Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing and Brookings Fishing.