Sixes River So. Coast 12/22

Chilly one · 12-23-2003, 04:49 PM

Finally got a chance to slide down the coast to fish the Sixes as I have given up on the Elk w/the crowds the last couple years. Hoping the river would still have volume but several days on the drop I felt our main objective was to perhaps enjoy a crowdless day and see if these huge tides would bring a few "freshies" in. Left the house at 3:20 am picked a buddy up in Coos Bay and got our shuttle arranged as we put in at the Midway drift at. 6:35 and to pull out at Blanco State Park. I'm certainly glad I waited 'till complete 100% daylite, am I glad we did!!!! As there was a log across the river in the first slot that usually is tight anyway! We had to both get out of my boat and walk it down. There were SEVERAL spots we had to get out and walk the boat after discussing "which" side of the river to go down. I will say after drift boating for over 26 years I am certainly glad I erred on the side of caution in every situation and there were several that could have been extremely dangerous or disastrous with bad results!! We had 5-6 good chances and got 2 nice chromers one hen 24 pounds and a 18 pound buck chrome as well. We got to the take out just before dark thirty and I will say that was a COMPLETE day of challenging boating due to water level and a great day of fishing. the weather was super too. I did wish to share with all of you is I have never in all my life could imagine that a river could have changed SO MUCH in one huge raise this month!!! If you go there for these last days of 'Nooking" be careful if the levels are down. Maybe take the upper drifts down to the Grange! Regards, and Happy Holidays! Chillyone
"Happiness is Bent Rod!"

TheRogue · 12-23-2003, 04:51 PM

Great report and good advice!

TR

skeezer · 12-23-2003, 05:01 PM

wish i could go , but something always comes up....... thanks for the report :smile:

nitrobass · 12-23-2003, 08:55 PM

Thanks for the advice! I was on the Elk last weekend and it changed a ton too. The channel completely changed in a few areas, and the first mile or two after the hatchery is pretty tight. At one spot you have to drift between two flooded willows about 6 or 7 feet apart. Line it up, pull in the oars, and go balls to the wall! Definitely tricky boating. After the first couple of miles it was smooth sailing. Sure looked like a heck of a storm last week down there