KLAMATH & ROGUE RIVERS
Although they produce good numbers of steelhead, the winter-run fish on the Rogue and Klamath rivers average about 6 pounds, well below the 8- to 12-pounders common on the other Wild Rivers Coast streams.

The best time to fish the Klamath and Rogue is during low, clear water conditions, when the Smith, Chetco and other rivers are too low to drift. While side drifting is popular on the Klamath, boaters on both rivers also will anchor and fish Hot Shots or other plugs. Fishing the slow water, used as travel lanes by winter steelhead, is an effective way to intercept migrating fish.

On the Klamath, fishing is best below Blue Creek, says Castellanos. Rogue anglers generally focus on the stretch between Huntley Park and Agness. Above Agness, guides will trade their powerboats for drift boats to side-drift instead of pulling plugs. Plunking is also popular from the gravel bars of the lower Rogue.

ELK & SIXES RIVERS
Bank access is limited on the Elk and Sixes, both located in northern Curry County, about 50 miles north of the California border. Both produce large steelhead, and if water conditions are good, are excellent late in the season, with the best steelhead fishing in late February and March.

The Elk clears just about as fast as the Smith, while the Sixes is often slow to clear, making it a good bet one to two weeks after a major storm. Many anglers stay in Port Orford to fish the Elk one day and the Sixes the next.

The only good public bank access on the Elk is below the Highway 101 bridge and at the fish hatchery, about 9 miles upriver. Most anglers also drift from the hatchery to the Highway 101 takeout. There is a small waterfall to navigate right below the hatchery. Excellent bank access is available on the Sixes except for high water at the Sixes Grange, just below the Highway 101 bridge. The best drift is from Edson Creek to the Sixes Grange.

PISTOL & WINCHUCK RIVERS
If you like to fish from the bank, the Pistol and Winchuck are a steelheader's dreams.

The best access on the Pistol is from the Highway 101 bridge, where the riffles above tidewater are good during low, clear conditions. On the Winchuck, the lower portion of the river is blocked by private property, but there is excellent access about 7 miles upstream on the north bank at several Forest Service pullouts. Fishing is good right in front of the Forest Service campground, with about two miles accessible for wading anglers.

The Pistol is about 20 miles north of the California border, while the Winchuck is less than a mile north of the border. A small stretch of the river actually runs on the California side but is on private property.

GEARING UP
Side drifting is the main technique for fishing the Smith, Chetco, Elk and Sixes rivers, although many anglers will pull plugs during low, clear conditions. Although it's fairly easy to get the hang of side drifting, if you have never done it, it's best to hire a local guide to learn the basics while also discovering the best water to fish. If not, try to stay in the shadow of a boat of experienced side-drifters, watching where they cast and the angle of their lines. Stay at least 100 yards behind and fish the same path, Castellanos says.