Happiness is a Fresh Winter Steelhead

Happiness is a Fresh Winter Steelhead

Elk River Fall Chinook

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.

Fall Chrome

Fall Chrome

Fall/Winter Chinook on the Elk & Sixes Rivers Show Well

Fall Chrome

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

ODFW - Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife - Collects Broodstock Salmon on the Chetco River in Soutwest Oregon

ODFW - Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife - Collects Broodstock Salmon on the Chetco River in Soutwest Oregon

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.