Tony’s Fishing Report

Local lakes: Anglers are still reporting good rainbow trout fishing on South Coast lakes. Late fall and winter are still good times to trout fish between weather systems. Thanks to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, local lakes are still holding plenty of rainbows from the 2011 stockings.

We haven’t received any recent reports on the wild coho fishery in Tahkenitch, Siltcoos or Tenmile lakes. After this series of storms, look for Tenmile Creek to rise and allow the coho to start entering the Tenmile system. The wild coho season on these lakes will remain open until Dec. 31 or when the quota of 875 coho is met.

Local rivers: Anglers did well fishing the Chetco River in Brookings last weekend. Because most of the fish have been in the system awhile, anglers are reporting catching a lot of darker fish. Dave from the Chetco Outdoor Store told us that the river blew out Monday night. Anglers are getting ready for the winter steelhead, which follow the Chinook each year in late November.

Fishing for fall Chinook on the Elk and Sixes rivers was good last weekend. Drift boats and bank anglers did well as river levels dropped after last week’s rains. With lots more rain in the forecast, look for these rivers to rise and fall throughout the rest of the season. Here are a couple of good phone numbers to help keep up with river levels and conditions: The Elk River Hatchery’s hotline number is 541-332-0405; the Elk and Sixes shuttle service number is 541-253-7001.

Winter steelhead anglers will start fishing the Coos and Coquille rivers soon after river levels subside from this week’s storms. Traditionally, the winter steelhead season starts on the South Coast on Thanksgiving.

Area shellfish: Last weekend, crabbers did well on Weber’s Pier in Bandon. We are not seeing limits of crab being taken, but the crab are in great shape at this time of year. We are hoping this week’s storms won’t affect the crabbing for holiday visitors. Eventually, the fresh water from upriver will start to chase the crab out of the bay and out to sea. Boaters up in Coos Bay are still reporting good crabbing in the lower portions of the bay. Unlike the bays at Bandon and Winchester Bay, Coos Bay maintains good crabbing throughout the winter months. We would like to thank all the contributors to the Kids Fish Free program. We have been receiving some nice used rods and reels, which will be used in the program. Anyone looking for a free rod and reel for any child under age 14 should stop by Port O’ Call or give us a call at 541-347-2875. Don’t forget that Christmas is coming, and this is a good way to add something nice to a child’s Christmas list.

All of us at Port O’ Call and Tony’s Crab Shack would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

(Tony Roszkowski has owned and operated Port O’ Call — TonysCrabShack.com — on the Bandon waterfront since 1989. Many South Coast anglers rely on his fish and shellfish reports. Hear more from Tony on ‘Oregon Outdoors’ Thursdays on KWRO 630 AM.)