The Chetco estuary continues to produce some of the best salmon fishing on the coast, but time is running out. Rain is in the forecast for Brookings over the weekend and flows will be on the rise, which will trigger the migrating fall kings that it’s time to head up river. The good news is there should still be plenty more behind em’ and the fishery could continue to thrive while we wait for the heavy rains. As for fishing, late last week and weekend were excellent, with plenty of boats scoring limits of kings. And there were some real big ones mixed in. There were quite a few 30-pounders landed, and plenty more that were just too big to handle. Trolling anchovies behind Shortbus or Pro-Troll 360 flashers has been the top producer. If you have the opportunity, you’ll want to check out this fishery before the rains come.

Weekend marine forecast
Winds will turn back southerly ahead of an approaching boundary Friday and into the weekend, but wind speeds will stay light before increasing to moderate to breezy by Friday afternoon. A minor westerly swell up to 8 feet at 12 seconds will arrive around Saturday. As of Thursday afternoon, from 10 to 60 nautical miles, Friday’s forecast is calling for winds out of the south 10 to 20 knots with northwest waves 5 feet at 10 seconds. Saturday, winds will be out of the south 10 to 15 knots with west waves 10 feet at 12 seconds. Sunday, winds will be 10 to 20 knots out of the south with west waves 9 feet at 12 seconds and northwest 6 feet at 18 seconds. These conditions can and will change by the weekend. For an up-to-date weather forecast, visit www.weather.gov/eureka/ or https://www.windy.com. You can also call the National Weather Service at (707) 443-7062 or the office on Woodley Island at (707) 443-6484.

Bass Tourney coming to Ruth Lake Oct. 14
The Alderpoint Volunteer Fire Department is hosting the 2nd annual Roger Coleman Sr. Memorial Bass Tournament on Saturday Oct. 14 at Ruth Lake. Check in is Friday night between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. or Saturday morning between 4 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. This is a catch and release tournament with a 13-inch minimum length. Blast off is 7 a.m. or at first safe light. For more information, call Thomas Bruce at 707-223-6258 or Roger Coleman Jr. at 707-223-3858.

Dungeness crab testing has begun
Domoic acid testing in Dungeness crabs has started on the California coast. To date, only samples from Crescent City have been reported and all crabs tested were well below the level of 30 parts per million. For more information, visit www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DFDCS/Pages/FDBPrograms/FoodSafetyProgram/DomoicAcid.aspx

Rockfish season to close Sunday, Oct. 15
The 2023 rockfish season in the Northern Management area, which runs from 40°10′ N. latitude (near Cape Mendocino) to the Oregon-California border, will close for boat-based anglers after Sunday, Oct. 15. Rockfish is open year-round for divers and shore-based anglers. It was a rough season for recreational anglers as the nearshore season was cut short due to the declining population of quillback rockfish. More restrictions and closures are likely for 2024. For more information on next year’s rockfish season, visit https://fishingthenorthcoast.com/2023/10/05/decisions-looming-at-upcoming-pfmc-meeting/

The Oceans:
Eureka
Excellent conditions last weekend allowed boats to venture out to the deep water for rockfish where the fishing was reportedly excellent. Ocean conditions don’t look favorable for upcoming weekend, so it’s likely a wrap on the rockfish for this year. The season closes after Sunday, Oct. 15. Recreational Dungeness crab season is scheduled to open Nov. 4.

Shelter Cove
According to Jake Mitchell of Sea Hawk Sport Fishing, a few boats ran for tuna last Thursday and Friday. He said, “Most boats fished around the Knoll and scores were very low. The high boat had 6 on Thursday and 10 on Friday. Deep-water rock fishing is still good, with easy limits outside the Hat over the weekend. It looks like we’ll have some decent weather later in the week, but I think our albacore season is about over.”

Brookings
Halibut fishing has been fair, with the best catch rates in 230 to 260 feet of water off of Bird Island reports Andy Martin of Brookings Fishing Charters. “Salmon bellies, herring and squid are working best,” said Martin. “Rockfish action is good, while lingcod fishing is fair. A big swell will keep boaters at the dock most of this week. 

Trinity River flows reduced
On Oct. 16, flow release changes will begin on the Trinity River. Flows will ramp down from 450 cfs to 300 cfs over the course of the day. For more information, visit https://www.trrp.net/

Low flow fishing closures
All North Coast rivers subjected to low flow fishing closures, including the Eel, Mad, Redwood Creek, Smith and Van Duzen were closed as of Thursday. 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.

The Rivers:
Lower Klamath
Boat pressure has been extremely light, but there are some fish to be had. Fresh kings, both adults and jacks, as well as steelhead are scattered throughout the lower river. With very little pressure, there seems to be enough fish around to make for a decent 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

Chetco/Rogue
According to Martin, after a weekend of hot fishing in the Chetco estuary, a bump in flows this week could send fish upriver. “Lots of jacks are being caught on bobbers and eggs or sand shrimp at Tide Rock and Social Security Bar. Bobbers must be used above the power lines just upstream from the Highway 101 bridge until Nov. 4. A bigger rise in flows is expected next week. In the estuary, fishing has been good along the jetties. Anglers fishing for lingcod and rockfish also are encountering plenty of salmon in the ocean, a good sign for the peak of the run later this month and in early November. Salmon fishing has slowed on the Rogue Bay, but there are a few kings and hatchery coho around.”

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 www.fishingthenorthcoast.com. For up-to-date fishing reports and North Coast river information, email kenny@fishingthenorthcoast.com.