Elk & Sixes Rivers
The Elk River and Sixes River in southern Oregon are two similar a rivers that flow through coastal forests of southwest Oregon and empty into the Pacific near Port Orford on the Oregon coast. Both are scenic with very little bank access, making them especially enjoyable for drift boaters.
The Elk River has a Wild and Scenic designation and flows about 29 miles, starting in the Grassy Knob Wilderness and emptying into the Pacific just south of Cape Blanco. The Elk River Hatchery, which raises both Chinook salmon and Steelhead trout, is located on the river. I fish this river from the hatchery down to Iron Head, near Hwy 101. It’s about an eight-mile float with lots of holes and there are no motors allowed. It makes for a full, peaceful day of fishing.
The Sixes River, also starting in the Grassy Knob Wilderness, drains a rugged region of the Klamath Mountains and flows about 31 miles to empty into the Pacific just north of Cape Blanco. There are four different launches for this river, starting at Edison Creek and ending below Hwy 101 near the lighthouse at Cape Blanco, making for many fishing options.
Both rivers are slow to blow out and very fast to recover, giving some great action immediately following a rain. The quick recovery means a great high-water Steelhead option when other rivers are blown out.
Chinook on the Elk & Sixes
The Chinook salmon on these rivers are being caught close to the ocean, which means an aggressive, hard-fighting fish. Most average 15 to 20 pounds and you'll have opportunities for fish of 30 pounds or more. You'll see both natives and hatchery fish on this run, with a very large hatchery return on the Elk. These rivers see some of the best and latest fall Chinook the west coast. The fall run generally starts in November and ends mid- to late-December. The most successful tactics I've used for Chinook on the Elk & Sixes include pulling plugs, back bouncing and bobber and eggs.
Steelhead on the Elk & Sixes
Averaging about 6 to 12 pounds with trophy opportunities. Steelhead on the river generally run through the winter, starting in January and ending in March. The most successful technique I've used for Steelhead on the Elk & Sixes is side drifting.
My Impression
I've been fishing the Elk and Sixes rivers for more than 20 years. These are the rivers that got me hooked on salmon fishing and remain my favorite today.
Resources
More about the Elk River from Wikipedia.
More about the Sixes River from Wikipedia.