Month: September 2023

If you’re looking to catch and keep big, ocean-bright kings, you’ll want to keep Chetco River estuary on your radar. Salmon have been staging in the tidewater since early September and they’ll be there until enough rain falls and allows them to make their way upriver. And according to Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing, the season at the mouth of the Chetco is now in full swing. “Catch rates improved over the weekend to a fish per rod or better, with plenty of kings topping 25 pounds,” said Martin. “A few fish in the upper 30-pound range, or bigger, have been caught. A rise in flows could stall the action for a few days, but expect fresh kings to show up as flows drop the end of the week. The Chetco rose from 50 cfs to more than 600 cfs on Monday. It’s still too early for decent fishing upriver, although jacks were already schooling at Tide Rock and Social Security Bar, and adult kings are likely to arrive with the heavy rain on Monday. Bobber fishing is allowed above the estuary. For trolling, the last few hours of the incoming tide and first few hours of the outgo have been best. Most of the fish are being caught near the tips of the jetties.” Trolling 360 flashers with spinner blades or anchovies has been effective this season.

The daily bag limit for salmon on the Chetco is two adult fish per day, no more than one adult wild Chinook. Anglers may harvest adult hatchery Chinook until the daily bag limit has been met. Once the adult daily limit is harvested, anglers cannot continue to fish for jack salmon. Angling restricted to fly fishing (must include a strike indicator) or bobber fishing from RM 2.2 to Nook Creek Sep 1 – Nov 3. For additional Chetco regulations, visit eregulations.com/oregon/fishing/southwest-zone.

Weekend marine forecast
Northerly winds will redevelop beginning Wednesday and will trend up heading into the weekend. As of Thursday, out 10 to 60 nautical miles, Friday’s forecast is calling for winds out of the north 5 to 10 knots with northwest waves 6 feet at 10 seconds. Saturday, winds will be out of the north 25 to 35 knots with north waves 14 feet at 10 seconds. Sunday doesn’t look much better with winds coming from the north 15 to 25 knots and north waves 11 feet at nine seconds. These conditions can and will change by the weekend. For an up-to-date weather forecast, visit www.weather.gov/eureka/ or www.windy.com. You can also call the National Weather Service at 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at 443-6484.

Low flow fishing closures
As of Wednesday, all reaches of the Smith River were open to fishing. However, they will all be closed beginning Thursday, Sept. 28 due to descending river flows.

All other North Coast rivers subjected to low flow fishing closures, including the Eel, Mad, Redwood Creek, and Van Duzen remain closed. The Department of Fish and Game will make the information available to the public by a telephone recorded message updated, as necessary, no later than 1 p.m. each Monday, Wednesday and Friday as to whether any stream will be closed to fishing. The rivers can be opened up at any time. The low flow closure hotline for North Coast rivers is 707-822-3164. NOTE: The main stem Eel from the South Fork to Cape Horn Dam, the Mad River from the mouth to 200 yards upstream and the Mattole River will be closed until January 1, 2024.

2023 Smith and Eel River salmon regulations
In an emergency action in response to historic lows in abundance of California stocks of Chinook salmon, the Fish and Game Commission acted to close all recreational Chinook Salmon fisheries in the Smith and Eel Rivers. According to the 2023-2024 California Supplemental Sport Fishing Regulations, the Smith is closed to all salmon fishing except for 1 Chinook Salmon and no more than 5 wild Chinook Salmon over 22 inches per year by federally recognized tribes while fishing under existing inland sport fishing regulations. The Eel River is closed to salmon fishing except catch and release by federally recognized tribes.

The Oceans:
Eureka
The deep-water rock fishing remains excellent when conditions allow us to get out according to Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing. “We tried to make it out on Saturday, but it was a little too rough,” said Klassen. “Sunday was quite different day as it was completely flat and the fishing was wide-open. Limits came very easily, with canary, yellowtail, and widow rockfish making up the majority of the catch. The tuna water has moved out and there’s a good chance it’s done for the season. I heard a boat or two went over the weekend, but didn’t find any tuna.”

Shelter Cove
According to Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing, they had a pretty good blow last week that kept them off the water. He said, “We were able to get back out Friday and had easy limits of rockfish outside the Hat, but only one lingcod. Saturday, we ran up to Rodgers Break where we had excellent rock fishing, but came up a couple lings short of limits.  A few boats made it out for tuna on Saturday and the high boat had 14.  Looks like we have pretty crappy weather for the remainder of the week.”

Crescent City
According to Britt Carson of Crescent City’s Englund Marine, there isn’t much happening in Crescent City at the moment. “The weather hasn’t been nice enough to get out for deep-water rockfish,” said Carson. “The tuna has pretty much dried up and the California halibut bite has been nonexistent as well.”

The Rivers:
Lower Klamath
Dirty water from the weekend storms found its way to the lower Klamath Wednesday, but it didn’t deter some decent fishing. There’s still some steelhead and salmon around to make for a good day. A reminder that there is a zero bag limit for salmon. The daily bag limit for hatchery steelhead is two per day on both the Klamath and Trinity rivers, with a possession limit of four. Anglers must have a Steelhead Fishing Report and Restoration Card in their possession while fishing for steelhead trout in anadromous waters. For more information, visit nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=202686&inline

Kenny Priest (he/him) operates Fishing the North Coast, a fishing guide service out of Humboldt specializing in salmon and steelhead. Find it on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and fishingthenorthcoast.com. For up-to-date fishing reports and North Coast river information, email kenny@fishingthenorthcoast.com.

Last week I mentioned that Crescent City would a been the port of choice for albacore anglers. Well, that turned out to not be true. Fort Bragg was the overwhelming top port if you’re looking at the numbers of tuna landed as well as the variety. There were plenty of boats that landed well over 40 albacore and putting 30 aboard put you in the average category. And there was also an abundance of Bigeye tuna hooked, with quite a few hitting the decks. There were also a couple marlin brough back to the dock. Looking ahead, Fort Bragg again looks to be the spot. The warm water is now even closer and ocean conditions are lining up for Saturday – all signs are pointing to another blood bath out of the picturesque Mendocino port. Here locally, the warm water has begun to break up and dissipate. On top of that, the fishing last weekend just wasn’t good when everything lined up. So, if you’re headed south, expect some company, along with plenty of tuna.

Weekend marine forecast
After strong offshore winds mid-week, they will trend weaker beginning Thursday and Friday. As of Thursday, the forecast out 10 to 60 nautical miles for Friday is calling for winds out of the northwest 5 to 15 knots with north waves 7 feet at six seconds. Saturday is calling for winds from the south 5 to 10 knots and northwest waves 5 feet at 10 seconds. Sunday the winds will increase, and come from the south 20 to 30 knots and south waves 7 feet at seven seconds. These conditions can and will change by the weekend. For an up-to-date weather forecast, visit www.weather.gov/eureka/ or www.windy.com. You can also call the National Weather Service at 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at 443-6484.

The Oceans:
Eureka
According to Tim Klassen of Reel Steel Sport Fishing, the tuna bite was slow last Saturday. “I think only four boats went, and the scores weren’t very good. The high boat had 10 and the others had a handful. The water is still sitting to our north, but it doesn’t look as good. Saturday’s ocean conditions look good, so I’m sure there will be some more effort. The deep-water rock fishing is still really good when conditions allow us to get out.”

Shelter Cove
According to Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing, rock fishing has been good with easy limits in the deep water. He said, “The lingcod, however, are becoming even harder to come by in the deep. We spent the last few days offshore tying for tuna around the Vizcaino Canyon.  We averaged 24 per trip over the three days. We boated mostly peanuts with some really nice ones mixed in.”

Crescent City
According to Britt Carson of Crescent City’s Englund Marine, it’s been pretty quiet this week as tuna has been the only game in town. “Boats went out last weekend but the fishing was pretty slow,” said Carson. “Most boats went out 20 to 30 miles and scores were pretty low. Six to seven per boat were some of the top scores, and most had less. The water is still sitting offshore, and it looks like the weather will again cooperate this weekend.”

Brookings
Halibut fishing was good over the weekend, but windy weather will keep boaters in close for a few days reports Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “Calmer weather is expected Friday and Saturday,” said Martin. “Anglers are waiting a decision by ODFW on transferring unused quota from the northern Oregon Coast as the South Coast quota is on the verge of being reached. Lingcod and rockfish action is fair to good.”

Chetco bubble season a no-go
Back in June, the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) proposed an ocean king salmon season off the mouth of the Chetco, known as the “bubble season.” At Friday’s Commission meeting, ODFW did not recommend the fishery to the commission.

The commission did adopt regulations for ocean terminal area fall Chinook seasons for both the recreational and commercial troll salmon fisheries in the ocean waters immediately adjacent to the Elk River. These seasons will be open from November 1-30 within the established boundaries of the Elk River Fall Chinook Terminal Area.

Recreational Season Regulations:

• Open November 1-30 within the Elk River Fall Chinook Terminal Area: defined as shoreward of a line drawn from Cape Blanco (42°50‘20″ N Lat.) to Black Rock (42°49‘24″ N Lat. / 124°35‘00″ W. Long.) to Best Rock (42°47‘24″ N Lat. / 124°35‘42″ W. Long.) to 42°40’30”N / 124°29’00” W to Humbug Mt.
• Daily bag limit of 1 Chinook per angler with a minimum length of 24″
• Terminal tackle limited to no more than 2 single point barbless hooks
• Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve is closed to all fishing

For more information, visit https://www.dfw.state.or.us/mrp/salmon/#Updates

The Rivers:
Lower Klamath
Salmon fishing remains good for both jacks and adults on the lower Klamath. Side-drifting soft beads in the riffles and slots has produced fish from the Glen to Johnson’s. A reminder that there is a zero bag limit for salmon. The daily bag limit for hatchery steelhead is two per day on both the Klamath and Trinity rivers, with a possession limit of four. Anglers must have a Steelhead Fishing Report and Restoration Card in their possession while fishing for steelhead trout in anadromous waters. For more information, visit nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=202686&inline

Chetco/Lower Rogue
According to Martin, salmon fishing remains decent at the mouth of the Chetco. “A dozen or so kings are being caught most days, with anchovies fished behind 360 flashers working best. Seals have been problematic along the jetties. Salmon fishing has been good in the Rogue Bay.”

Kenny Priest operates Fishing the North Coast, a fishing guide service out of Humboldt specializing in salmon and steelhead. Find it on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and fishingthenorthcoast.com. For up-to-date fishing reports and North Coast river information, email kenny@fishingthenorthcoast.com

The wind and currents have done wonders for the warm water placement, and for those looking to get in on the tuna action. And no port looks better right now than Crescent City. The warm water has moved right to their doorstep, well within 20 miles. The only thing that could play spoiler is the ocean conditions. As of Wednesday, conditions looked good through Sunday, but things can change quickly. Based on last weekend’s scores, we know the fish are there. Boats traveled from 30 to 65 miles offshore, with scores all over the board. Boats that went the furthest did best, with some putting in over 40 albacore. There was even an encounter with a marlin. Closer to home, the water is now well within reach of both Eureka and Trinidad. However, different weather models are painting different pictures. It will likely come down to a gametime decision. If you’re looking to head south to Fort Bragg, be prepared for a crowd if the forecast holds. The hard edge is right at 30 miles and boats will be lined up at both ramps.

Weekend marine forecast
Winds remain light each day near the coast Thursday into the weekend, while northerlies of about 10 to 15 knots persist in the outer zones. Northerlies may then ramp back up into the low to mid 20 knots range early next week. As of Thursday, the forecast from 10 to 60 nautical miles for Friday is calling for winds out of the north 5 to 15 knots with north waves 6 feet at six seconds and south 3 at 15 seconds. Saturday is calling for winds from the north 5 to 15 knots and north waves 5 feet at six seconds and south 3 feet at 14 seconds. Sunday the winds will be from the north 10 to 20 knots and north waves 7 feet at eight seconds and northwest 3 feet at 13 seconds. These conditions can and will change by the weekend. For an up-to-date weather forecast, visit www.weather.gov/eureka/ or www.windy.com. You can also call the National Weather Service at 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at 443-6484.

Trinidad launch closing for the season
According to the Humboldt Tuna Club website, the floating dock and moorings will be removed on Thursday and the launch is closed for the season.

The Oceans:
Eureka
Conditions were once again excellent over the weekend and early this week and a few boats made the run out deep to target rockfish. Scores were very good, with most getting all they needed along with some big lingcod. A couple boats took advantage of the weather Sunday and made the long run for tuna. One of the boats found a good bite out nearly 75 miles. The warm water has moved within 30 miles of Eureka, but the forecast models are not yet in agreement if conditions will be doable.

Shelter Cove
According to Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing, deep-water fishing outside the Hat has been productive. He said, “When the weather allowed us to get out, the rock fishing was pretty good with easy limits of mostly yellowtails and a few widows, Boccaccio and vermilion mixed in.  The lingcod fishing has been very slow out there in the deep, and we’re just averaging a few per trip. If the forecast holds, we should have some good opportunities for tuna over the weekend.”

Crescent City
According to Britt Carson of Crescent City’s Englund Marine, a few boats went out for tuna over the weekend. “Some boats ran as far as 65 miles, and they did better than the boats that fished closer,” said Carson. “Reported scores ranged from high twenties to the mid-forties. The boats that fished closer scored mostly in the teens. The weather and water are shaping up nicely for the weekend. The California halibut bite remains slow, with just a few being caught by the boats trolling South Beach. The bank fishery has pretty much dried up. There are a few boats fishing out past 50 fathoms for rockfish, and they’re catching a few. I haven’t heard of any limits reported.”

Brookings
“After striking out on Friday and Saturday, boats venturing out of Brookings for tuna found schools of fish on Sunday, with an average of 20 albacore per boat 30 to 35 miles out,” said Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “Halibut fishing remains good, with a fish per rod or better. The best fishing has been in 180 to 220 feet of water. Lingcod and rockfish action also has been good. A few California halibut are being caught near the port beach.”

The Rivers:
Lower Klamath
River conditions have improved dramatically in the past couple weeks, and there’s plenty of visibility and green water. Both salmon and steelhead are making their migration upriver. Fishing pressure is light. The daily bag limit is two hatchery steelhead or hatchery trout per day on both the Klamath and Trinity rivers, with a possession limit of four. Anglers must have a Steelhead Fishing Report and Restoration Card in their possession while fishing for steelhead trout in anadromous waters. For more information, visit nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=202686&inline

Chetco/Lower Rogue
Salmon fishing is fair in the Chetco estuary, and good in the Rogue Bay according to Martin. “Fresh kings are arriving daily in both systems. Salmon fishing also has improved near Grants Pass on the Middle Rogue.”

Kenny Priest (he/him) operates Fishing the North Coast, a fishing guide service out of Humboldt specializing in salmon and steelhead. Find it on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and fishingthenorthcoast.com. For up-to-date fishing reports and North Coast river information, email kenny@fishingthenorthcoast.com.

The warm water that holds all types of tuna continues to sit well offshore from Eureka, Trinidad, and Crescent City. But that hasn’t stopped a few dedicated and hardcore anglers. On Sunday, ocean conditions were ideal and a few boats made the long run leaving from Eureka and Trinidad. The boats needed to travel over 60 miles out, but it was worth the effort. Scores that were reported ranged from 20 to nearly 50 per boat. A handful fished out of Crescent City as well, with most of the boats getting skunked. Reportedly there were four tuna landed between the small fleet. Local boats are once again keeping an eye on Sunday for another possible weather window. Ports to our north and south continue their assault on the longfins. Fort Bragg was one of the hot spots. Boats fishing within 40 miles of port did really well, with the high boat reportedly bringing over 80 albacore aboard. With borderline conditions here locally, many are hitting the road and headed north to Coos Bay where the edge is within 40 miles and the fishing has been consistently good.

Weekend marine forecast
A small mid period northwest swell and a long period southerly swell will persist into the weekend. Out 10 to 60 nautical miles north of the cape, Friday’s forecast is calling for north winds 10 to 15 knots and waves out of the north 5 feet at 5 seconds and south 3 feet at 11 seconds. Saturday is calling for north winds to 5 to 10 knots and waves north 4 feet at five seconds and south 3 feet at 14 seconds. Sunday, winds will be out of the north 5 to 15 knots and waves north 5 feet at five seconds and south 5 feet at 17 seconds. These conditions can and will change by the weekend. For an up-to-date weather forecast, visit www.weather.gov/eureka or www.windy.com. You can also call the National Weather Service at 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at 443-6484.

The Oceans:
Eureka
Conditions were excellent over the weekend and a handful of boats targeted deep-water rockfish. Scores were reportedly very good, with most getting all they needed along with limits of lingcod. A few boats also took advantage of the weather and made the long run for tuna. Most of the boats ran out at least 60 miles, but he fishing was good. Scores ranged between 20 and 50 albacore per boat.

Shelter Cove
“We spent the last couple days of the nearshore rock fishing season right in front in 40 feet of water,” said Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing. “We had easy limits of rockfish and even got limits of lings both of those days.  We had a one-day window Sunday to get offshore and chase tuna. We fished around the Knoll, roughly 36 miles from port, where we had a very good early morning bite, but it died off late morning. We ended the day with 29 mixed grade albacore. The weather doesn’t look good the rest of the week so we’ll likely be deep-water rock fishing.”

Crescent City
A few Thresher sharks are being caught at South Beach, according to Britt Carson of Crescent City’s Englund Marine. He said, “Guys who are doing best are sitting on the anchor with chum lines to bring the sharks to them. I know of at least five caught last week, including one that weighed 198 pounds. The California halibut bite has slowed a little, but the guys who know what they’re doing are still catching. Trolling anchovies along South Beach has been the ticket. A few boats have been rock fishing out past 50 fathoms when possible and are doing ok.

Brookings
Tuna fishing has been slow out of Brookings, as the albacore are 80 to 100 miles out reports Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “Some Brookings-based boats have been trailering to Coos Bay to fish 15 to 30 miles off Charleston with better success,” said Martin. “Halibut fishing remains good, especially on calmer weather days. Lingcod fishing is fair, while rockfish action has been wide open. Ocean salmon is now closed out of Brookings.”

The Rivers:
Lower Klamath
The river has cleared enough to fish, but it’s still not green. Reportedly there are some fish, both salmon and steelhead, making their way upriver. Fishing pressure is light. The daily bag limit is two hatchery steelhead or hatchery trout per day on both the Klamath and Trinity rivers, with a possession limit of four. Anglers must have a Steelhead Fishing Report and Restoration Card in their possession while fishing for steelhead trout in anadromous waters. For more information, visit nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=202686&inline

Lower Rogue/Chetco
According to Martin, the Rogue Bay remains solid for fall salmon, with a mix of adult kings, jacks and now wild and hatchery coho. “Cooler water temperatures have allowed bigger numbers of salmon to move upriver. Salmon are now being caught by bank anglers near Grants Pass. The Chetco estuary is slow to fair for salmon, with a handful of kings caught each day.”

Kenny Priest operates Fishing the North Coast, a fishing guide service out of Humboldt specializing in salmon and steelhead. Find it on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and fishingthenorthcoast.com. For up-to-date fishing reports and North Coast river information, email kenny@fishingthenorthcoast.com