Anglers are crossing their fingers as it appears flows in the Chetco may start to drop for an extended amount of time. So far this year, anglers have had to pick and choose the few days that are somewhat fishable. When the river flows have been dropping, bank anglers plunking Spin-n-Glos are doing well on winter steelhead moving upriver. Boat anglers will have wait until flows drop below 4000 cfs.‌

The Chetco River Angler Caught Broodstock program has started for the year. Anglers interested in participating need to sign up and obtain a permit. The program is the only way steelhead are collected for the Chetco River hatchery program. Steelhead can be donated by anglers fishing with guides or as a non-guided angler. Donated steelhead are transported to Elk River Hatchery and held until they are spawned. Juvenile steelhead are reared at the hatchery before being released back in the Chetco River. For more information about the program or to obtain a permit, anglers can call the Gold Beach ODFW office at 541-247-7605.