BROOKINGS, Ore. - Fall salmon anglers will get a 12-day October ocean salmon season and a lengthy in-river fishery, Oregon wildlife officials decided June 4.

The popular "bubble" fishery in the ocean just off the mouth of the Chetco will run Oct. 1-12, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission decided. The in-river season above tidewater opens Nov. 6 with a two-fish-per-day limit.

The October ocean season has a reputation of being Oregon's most consistent trophy salmon fishery, with king topping 50 pounds reported almost every year.

"The big salmon stack up near the mouth, waiting for enough rain to move into the river," says Brookings guide Andy Martin of Wild Rivers Fishing. "Lots of fish over 30 and 40 pounds are caught each season near the mouth, and a few over the 50-pound mark are landed."

Last year, one of Martin's customers landed a 58-pounder at the mouth of the river.

Biologists decided not to allow a bubble fishery in the ocean last fall because of a predicted low return. Once the season was over, however, the spawning sureveys indicated the run was well above average. Another strong run, around 180 percent of normal, is expected this fall.

The Chetco has a unique run of 4- and 5-year-old salmon. The extra year or two in the ocean allows many fish to reach trophy size.

Biologists asked the Fish and Wildlife Commission to delay the in-river opener until Nov. 6 to protect salmon held up in tidewater during low flows. When the river opens in early November, anglers can keep two fish per day, including wild fish.

"The salmon run peaks around Thanksgiving, so we should have an excellent opportunity to get some nice kings this fall," Martin said. "Last year we were catching salmon until late December."

Fish Species: fall salmon
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The Chetco River opens Nov. 6 this fall.
The Chetco River opens Nov. 6 this fall.


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About The Author: Captain Andy Martin

Company: Wild Rivers Fishing Oregon and Alaska

Area Reporting: Oregon, Alaska

Bio: Andy Martin is a well-known Oregon and Alaska fishing guide and charter boat captain. He targets trophy halibut in Alaska, as well as six-fish-per-person limits of silver salmon. In Oregon, he catches some of the biggest salmon in the Northwest, including trophy king salmon over 60 pounds. Oregon salmon and steelhead trips are done out of clean, heated jet boats and drift boats on the Rogue and Chetco rivers. Andy also is a prolific outdoor writer, regular contributing to Fish Alaska, Salmon Trout Steelheader, Saltwater Sportsman, Game & Fish, Oregon Hunter, California Sportsman, Northwest Sportsman and ESPN Outdoors.

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