With good numbers of Chinook staging in the mouth and the first few holes, the Elk River is ready to start off with a bang. Many fishermen still are fishing low, but the majority seem to be waiting for more rain to open the river. These fishermen reported catching more jacks along with adult salmon. When the river begins to rise, the Elk River Hatchery will have a recorded update on the river levels, and you can call (541) 332-7025 for the update. The lower Sixes River also is full of fish waiting to move up river when we get some more rain.

Due to low water and low fish counts, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife released a notice that the Chetco River will experience an emergency closure for fishing above the Highway 101 bridge.

The Coos Bay fishery had a spurt of fresh fish that were caught by fishermen on the boardwalk and other fish were taken near the forks of the river.

The Coquille River still has good salmon fishing for both coho and Chinook. Many fishermen are finding Chinook upriver, and they are launching at Sturdivant Park and fishing down river near Clausen’s Corner. Coho also are being caught upriver from the Rocky Point boat ramp.

Most anglers have switched from using bait to spinners, which seems to be more productive. We have caught approximately 65 percent of the 1,500 quota of wild coho. If you’re fishing the lower Coquille, keep in mind that the Bullard’s Beach docks have been pulled to protect them from damage from the winter runoff. Shore-based fishermen have had success at Seven Mile Slough just above Rocky Point. Most of these fish are being caught using sand shrimp and a bobber.

Anglers fishing the lower Rogue River for Chinook reported catching a few early winter steelhead. Most fall Chinook fishing has been in the Agnes area.

Crabbing in the bay at Bandon remains very good. The quality of the crab have been excellent since they have already gone through their molt stage. Crabbing in the Charleston and Empire areas has been outstanding. Many boaters crabbing near Empire reported easy limits of nice Dungeness crab.

Our local lakes still are experiencing excellent trout fishing. The Tenmile Bass Club hosted a tournament last weekend and reported some nice large mouth bass. Rainbow trout fishing at Tenmile Lakes has been good this past week, and trolling wedding ring spinners tipped with night crawlers has been the best technique.

Rough bar conditions in our area have kept most fishermen off the ocean. Some fishermen have gone up to Newport and experienced terrific catches of bottom fish and lingcod. If the conditions permit us to get into the ocean, fishing is not restricted within the 40 fathom lin,e and we could have some great bottom fishing.

Friday, Nov. 6 was the last date for adult hunters of the Western blacktail deer season, but we still have an opportunity for juvenile hunters through tomorrow. The deer have gone into the rut and with inclement weather, now’s the time to take the kids hunting for their first deer.

As we gear up for elk seasons, don’t forget to buy your tags prior to the season opening. The forecast from the ODFW for many of our areas is that we should have a good bull elk carry over for this season.

The recent high winds and rain have duck hunters experiencing success in the bays and estuaries. Don’t forget that our smaller rivers that are sheltered from the wind can have some good jump shooting for waterfowl.

Good luck fishing and hunting.

Listen to the Oregon Outdoors Radio Show Thursdays from 2-5 p.m. on KWRO 630 AM and rebroadcast on Friday mornings from 7-10 a.m. on ESPN 1230 AM. Oregon Outdoors can now be heard on KDUN 1030 AM from Eugene to Port Orford on Friday evenings from 3-5 p.m. and on Saturday mornings from 6-8 a.m.