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We finally got some heavy rain here on the Southern Oregon Coast!
For the past week, our guides have been able to fish the Elk and Sixes Rivers just north of Port Orford. The river mouths of both the Elk and Sixes are open and the 1st wave of salmon have arrived. It's perfect timing, as the salmon season on the Rogue River at Gold Beach has now slowed, but just 25 miles north there are plenty more fresh salmon still to be caught. As more winter storms arrive, which is inevitable, more salmon will continue to push upstream and fishing should be good for kings through December on the Sixes River and through January on the Elk.
Elk River Salmon Hatchery fish counts:
King Chinook Salmon - 139
Jack Salmon - 240
Coho Silver Salmon - 2
Winter Steelhead - 1
This morning, the Elk River was at 3.4 ft. and slowly rising. It had a green tint and was fishable. The Sixes River is at the 2 ft. mark, muddy and rising. This is how it goes when fishing the Oregon Coast. Depending on the rain totals today, one of the 2 will be fishable tomorrow and with a few dry days predicted after that the Sixes will quickly fall back into shape. Now that the rivers are high enough to float, we are targeting salmon, finding success with plugs and back bouncing roe.
If you're wondering about Elk River steelhead fishing, the 1st steelhead has already been counted at the Elk River Hatchery. A good sign for fishing to come. Steelhead will become more plentiful in the coastal river systems soon. Our guides usually begin fishing for steelhead on the Elk and Sixes near the end of December. The steelhead season usually lasts through late winter and into early spring. During this time we will be fishing the classic stretches of the Elk and Sixes by drift boat, as well as, the rarely floated upper section of the Sixes River by raft. This upper section of river is designated as steelhead fishing only. Fly fishing the Elk and Sixes for steelhead is a popular option in addition to side-drifting, bobber dogging and plug running.
Check out our Adventure Fishing, Umpqua River and Rogue River pages for additional winter steelhead fishing opportunities.
