The Chetco River hit 40,000 cfs on Wednesday, a 16-foot rise from the day before. It was also the highest level in more than a year, topping 20,000 cfs. from January 2020. Fishing was slow overall on the Chetco over the weekend as dirty water from a slide on the South Fork limited visibility to less than a foot. Plunkers did fairly well on Sunday, and a few guide boats got into fish.
“This week looks absolutely prime on both the Smith and Chetco,” said guide Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. “The Smith is in great shape, with a perfect steelhead green color. The Chetco was clearing on Sunday and should be in good shape all week.”
Steelhead fishing also has busted open on the lower Rogue River where anglers are catching hatchery and wild steelhead from shore with Spin-N-Glos, or anchoring on the lower river and running MagLip plugs.
