Chetco River - OR

A wild Chetco winter steelhead is being transferred to a hatchery truck to be later taken to Elk River Hatchery, photo by Larry Ellis

Limits of 10 canary rockfish are common when you fish a longleader rockfish trip with Sharky, photo courtesy of sharkyscharterfishing.com

These are yellowtail rockfish. Note the olive/green complexion, the yellow-tinged fins and the white blotches near the top of the rockfish, photo courtesy of Garibaldi Charters.

Scott Jones of Brookings was on fire on the Chetco River last Thursday when he nailed this beautiful hatchery metalhead while plunking a No. 4 Spin-N-Glo from the bank. He also donated a wild steelie to the Chetco Broodstock Program, photo by Larry Ellis

An angler fights a Chetco River winter steelhead last Wednesday while trying to steer the angry metalhead away from the willows. The steelhead bit a watermelon colored number 4 Spin-N-Glo. Photo by Larry Ellis.

A Brookings angler was rewarded with a nice 10-pound hatchery steelhead on Wednesday of last week while plunking a number 4 Spin-N-Glo in the color Tequila Sunrise with black wings (Sherbet). Photo by Larry Ellis

Todd Jacobsen from Bend, Oregon caught this bright 45-pound Chinook while pulling an un-wrapped K-15 KwikFish on the Chetco River last week. Photo courtesy of Todd Jacobsen.

Pam Luther of Brookings landed this Chetco River trophy salmon last week while fishing with guide Mike Stratman, pictured right. The once-in-a-lifetime king, which likely weighed over 50 pounds, was released. Photo courtesy of Redwood Coast Fishing/Mike Stratman

Tom Bodell from Cotati, California (right) pulled a sardine-wrapped KwikFish on the Chetco River last week with guide Harvey Young and nailed this large chrome-bright Chinook fresh from the ocean.

Matt Barr from northern California fished with Mario's Guide Service on the Chetco River last week before all the rivers blew out and caught this nice Chinook while pulling plugs.

Josh Naylor from Denver, Colorado fished the Chetco River last week with guide Kenton Bansemer and nailed this 25-pound Chinook