Oregon's world renown Elk River features the state's latest arriving run of fall/winter Chinook that are big, bright and beautiful chunkers. Susan was delighted to come out on the winning side of a hard-fought battle with a gorgeous shiney football of a specimen.

The Elk & Sixes Rivers in Southern Oregon are are known for a late run of beautiful, big Fall Chinook. November & December are the best months to book a trip for these great fish.

Just back from a couple trips up on the Siltez River where my Guest Jamie got to tangle with some Brutes.

Dave and Lee were quite happy to enjoy some peace and solitude on their recent float from Dexter Dam down to Clearwater on the Willamette River. A few interuptions along the float due to some salmon and steelhead action seemed a welcome departure from the peace and quiet.

Guest Dougie B. was looking for a final late season float down the McKenzie. Despite the heat wave and an August date, I agreed to an early morning drift. Doug was overjoyed to land 2 salmon, a hatchery and a native, both in great condition for the late date, and a nice Summer-Run Steelie to finish off his "Hat Trick." A fine finish to his season!

Howy's Expression of Triumpf & Conquest appropriately sums up the 2012 McKenzie Springer Season. Fishermen and guides alike agreed that despite a very liberal forecast by ODFW biologists for a bumper run, the actual number of returning adult salmon never came even close to the prediction. Fishermen had to work very, very hard this season to catch even half the number of fish we are accustomed to. While fish numbers seemed markedly below expectations on the MF Willamette & McKenzie Rivers, the South Santiam seemed to fare a bit better this year according to Sweet Home locals who fish the South Fork regularly.