While rough ocean conditions are keeping our charter boats at the dock, the frequent storms also have increased flows in the Chetco and Smith rivers, creating prime conditions for winter steelhead fishing.
The Brookings Fishing Charters team of guides are all licensed river guides, and run drift boat trips for salmon and steelhead when they are not running ocean charters. Steelhead season is off to a great start on the Chetco and Smith Rivers.
Capt. Michael holds a Chetco River steelhead caught by Larry from our office crew.
During the last week of December 2021, the Smith and Chetco dropped into perfect shape for steelhead. We fish from heated drift boats, running small plugs or side-drifting roe and Corkies. Catches have been good, with two to three fish per rod.
Capt. Andy, Mick and Travis have special permits from the Forest Service to fish the Wild and Scenic upper Chetco. This is a limited-entry area for guides and only a small number of fishing guides are allowed to bring their customers to the National Forest section of the river.
A nice wild steelhead that was caught and released on the Upper Chetco with Capt. Andy.Another steelhead is released on the Upper Chetco.Happy customers hold some keeper steelhead from the Chetco caught with Capt. Andy and Capt. Mick.
Steelhead season runs from late November through March on the Chetco and Smith rivers. January and February is peak season. Anglers can keep some of the steelhead they catch on the Chetco, while the Smith is primarily a catch-and-release fishery.
The Brookings Fishing Charters crew fishes from heated drift boats. Many of the boats have rain tops to make fishing more comfortable in wet weather.
To book a winter steelhead trip, call (541) 813-1082. More information is available at www.wildriversfishing.com.
By Capt. Andy Martin – Years ago I enjoyed the chance to spend a week fishing in Venice, Louisiana. We spent a few days fishing for redfish in the Mississippi Delta, and some time in the Gulf of Mexico, catching yellowfin tuna near the offshore oil rigs. On the final day, the lodge I fished out of had a giant fish fry. The shrimp boil was amazing. The fried redfish and speckled trout also was good. I thought “frying Oregon Coast rockfish this way would be great.”
Cornmeal coated rockfish is easy to make, and delicious.
Nothing against catfish, or what locals in the Gulf Coast refer to as trout, or redfish, but anglers who get to fish the Oregon Coast are spoiled by the great-tasting rockfish, halibut and lingcod we get to catch. Pacific coast rockfish are among the best-eating fish around, and can be cooked a variety of ways. The firm, flaky, white flesh makes some of the best fish and chips anywhere.
Oregon Coast rockfish are fun to catch, and taste great.
In much of the country, a cornmeal-based breading is the typical way to fry fish. West Coast anglers are more accustomed to beer batter or panko breading. Rockfish coated in cornmeal, with some cajun seasonings, also are delicious.
Cornmeal coated rockfish
2 pounds rockfish fillets, each cut in half or thirds
1 cup milk or buttermilk
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup frying oil
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
Heat oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Cornmeal can burn over higher heats, and shallow pan frying generally works better than deep frying with a cornmeal coating.
In a bowl, combine milk (or buttermilk) and lemon juice. Allow rockfish fillets to soak for 5 to 10 minutes while oil heats. This will serve as the binder for the cornmeal coating and the fish.
In a separate bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, creole seasoning and salt and pepper. Mix, and then place in a paper bag. (A large Ziplock bag also will work).
Place two to four of the rockfish fillet pieces in the bag, shake well, and place in the hot oil. Cook until golden brown, usually 4 to 5 minutes per side.
The key to this recipe is a medium to medium-high heat to make the fish crispy. Too hot and the cornmeal will burn. Too low of a temperature and the fish will not be as crispy. Cut larger fillets into three or four pieces so the fish cooks evenly and quickly. Allow to drain/dry on a wire rack instead of on a paper towel over a plate for crispier fish.
The paper bag makes for an easy cleanup. Simply discard the bag after the fish are fried.
By Capt. Andy Martin – Growing up on the Oregon Coast, traditional New England clam chowder, and other seafood dishes, were readily available. We ate seafood several times a week. A dish my family never enjoyed is Manhattan clam chowder. The thought of a tomato-based clam chowder just wasn’t appealing.
I first made Manhattan clam chowder a few years ago while looking for a keto-friendly, low-carb version of clam chowder. The results were surprising. Manhattan clam chowder is delicious, easy to make, and much lower in carbs than cream- and potato-based chowders. The following recipe is more of a traditional Manhattan clam chowder – to reduce carbs, simply reduce or eliminate the potatoes, use less onion and forgo the carrots. Zucchini may also be substituted for potatoes.
Manhattan clam chowder is a simple, delicious alternative to New England clam chowder.
Ingredients
4-6 slices bacon
1 small onion, diced
1-2 carrots, chopped
2-4 medium potatoes, diced
2 garlic cloves, chopped, or 2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 cup white wine
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 bay leaves
2 cans (14.5 ounce each) chicken broth
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes
1 bottle (8 ounces) clam juice
2 cans (6.5 ounces each) diced clams
1 can (6.5 ounces) minced clams
1 cube (8 tablespoons) butter
1/3 cub fresh parsley, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
Fresh potatoes, carrots, onion and celery makes this a wholesome meal.
Heat a large soup pot over medium heat, add a small amount of oil, and cook bacon. While bacon is cooking, chop the potatoes, onion, celery, garlic and carrots.
Remove cooked bacon. Lower heat to medium low and add potatoes, onion, carrots, garlic and celery to bacon grease. Chop bacon and add it to the vegetables. Cook for 7 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add the wine, cover with lid, and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the tomato paste, bay leaves and thyme.
Add tomatoes with liquid, chicken broth and clam juice. Heat to a boil at medium high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
Return heat to medium high, add clams with juice, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer again, add stick of butter. Season with salt and pepper. Once butter is melted, stir in parsley. Serve.
(Capt. Andy Martin owns and operates Brookings Fishing Charters. When he is not running charters aboard the Nauti-Lady, Miss Brooke or Kraken, he enjoys cooking).
Lingcod are one of the most delicious fish caught on our charters. Known for their firm, tasty fillets, lingcod are most often pan fried or deep fried. The fillets also are great when grilled. Here is a favorite grilled lingcod recipe from Capt, Andy that is incredibly simple, yet delicious. The recipe also works great for rockfish and halibut.
Grilled lingcod is simple and delicious.
Ingredients
Lingcod fillets
olive or vegetable oil
lemon pepper
salt
salted butted
fresh lemon
Preheat your grill to 350-375 degrees. To make cleanup simple, add a sheet of aluminum foil with a small amount of cooking oil to prevent lingcod from sticking to the foil.
The combination of butter and lemon pepper give the lingcod a delicious flavor.
Generously season the lingcod fillets with lemon pepper and sea salt. You may want to add a little garlic as well. Top each fillet with a slice of butter.
The melting butter keeps the fillets firm and moist.
Cook the fillets for 8 to 10 minutes without turning. Thicker fillets may take longer. The fish is done when the inside has an opaque color and the fillets easily flake apart.
The fillets are done in 8 to 10 minutes.
Serve the fillets with a squeeze of fresh lemon.
Grilled lingcod or rockfish also make excellent fish tacos. Add homemade pico de gallo and a combination of shredded cabbage and crema. Serve with flour or corn tortillas.
Grilled lingcod or rockfish make great fish tacos.Homemade pico is a key ingredient.Make a Mexican crema sauce by combining mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, Sriracha and garlic powder.Combine the cabbage and crema sauce.Grilled lingcod tacos!Lingcod are fun to catch and taste great.
Our trips to the Point St. George Reef Lighthouse, located offshore between Brookings and Crescent City, have been a huge hit with our customers. During recent trips this fall, in between storms, we have been catching limits of nice rockfish, and a very nice grade of lingcod. Anglers often see a wide variety of rockfish during these trips, with black, blue, canary, vermilion, China, copper, quillback and even tiger rockfish.
A happy angler holds a big lingcod caught in late November 2021 aboard the Miss Brooke.
During a period of nice weather in late November, we were able to run several trips to the lighthouse area aboard our six pack boats, including the Miss Brooke and Bout Time. During the fall months, lingcod fishing is often wide open at the lighthouse, and aside from limits, large numbers of keeper-size lingcod are also released.
We target the big lingcod with large jigs. As is often the case when hunting trophy-size fish, the bigger the bait, the bigger the fish.
An angler holds a tiger rockfish caught near the lighthouse.
One of the main draws of the lighthouse is the fast action, and wide variety. With each fish that comes up, anglers don’t know if it will be a cabezon, large rockfish, lingcod or even a halibut. The massive schools of fish at the Point St. George Reef are unmatched and rival the quality fishing in remote parts of Alaska.
Limits of rockfish caught at the Point St. George Reef while fishing aboard the Miss Brooke.
The lighthouse itself is located 11 miles south of the Chetco River jetties. Our charter boats fish near the lighthouse, or travel further south to fish near the Dragon Channel, Great Break, East Break and other productive parts of the reef.
Similar to our other charters, we start out with light spinning tackle to catch rockfish, usually fishing as shallow water as possible. It is easer to release rockfish in shallow water. If they are caught in deeper water, we will use a descending device to get the rockfish safely back to the bottom, deceasing release mortality of these prized fish.
An angler holds a trophy vermilion rockfish and a keeper-size lingcod from a recent lighthouse trip.
To fish the lighthouse area, the Brookings Fishing Charters boats are licensed in Oregon and California. We depart the Port of Brookings, in Oregon, but fish in California waters. Our boats have a California Commercial Passenger Vessel License and each angler must have a California sport fishing license. One-day licenses are available for $17. The fish are landed in Oregon, so an Oregon license also is required. The extraordinary fishing near the lighthouse makes the extra charter licenses, and angler licenses worthwhile, with unmatched fishing and the potential for trophy size fish.
The historic Point St. George Reef Lighthouse is home to some of the best lingcod and rockfish action on the entire West Coast.
The lighthouse area is open May-December. The rest of the year, we focus on other hot spots, such as Mack Arch, House Rock and the productive reefs close to the Port of Brookings Harbor.
Our charter boat captains have extensive experience fishing near the Point St. George Reef Lighthouse. Capt. Mick and Capt. Sam both grew up in Crescent City, and have been fishing the lighthouse area their entire life. Mick used to fish commercially near the Point St. George Reef, but now works year round, full time as a charter boat captain and fishing guide. Capt. Andy and Capt. Travis grew up in Brookings, and also have decades of experience fishing local waters, including the lighthouse area. Capt. Rye, Capt. Rich and Capt. Michael also have extensive experience fishing the lighthouse. Each captain has their own “hot spots,” and our charter crew is in constant communication with each other to make sure each boat is on the bite.
An average-size lingcod from the lighthouse area.
New for 2022, we will be offering combination lighthouse and ocean salmon trips during the month of June. We also offer halibut and lighthouse trip combos in June and September. Depth restrictions limit the halibut combos other times of the year.
The Point St. George Reef and lighthouse are a fascinating part of local history. The lighthouse was built in 1892 after several tragic shipwrecks in the Point St. George Reef. Towering 146 feet above the ocean, the lighthouse can be seen from Brookings and Crescent City. The reef is part of what was named “Dragon Rocks” by Sir Francis Drake. On July 30, 1865, during a gale, the 220-foot Brother Jonathan, carrying 244 passengers, struck the reef and sank. Only 19 people survived. A fortune in gold went down with the ship. Most of the gold is said to still be at the bottom of the ocean near the lighthouse, although a fisherman claimed to have caught 22 pounds of gold bars in his net in the 1930s. The sinking of the Brother Jonathan played a key role in the decision to build the lighthouse on Northwest Seal Rock.
The lighthouse cost $752,000 to construct in 1892, equivalent to $22 million today, making it the most expensive lighthouse ever built in the United States. The lighthouse was major construction feat. Several people died during construction and more were killed while serving at lightkeepers.
The Nauti-Lady, the 42-foot party boat usually used for half-day bottom fishing trips for Brookings Fishing Charters, has been getting customers into nice lingcod as of late. In between winter storms, the Nauti-Lady has been venturing offshore for lingcod and rockfish, with an occasional trip to the Point St. George Reef Lighthouse.
Mark, a frequent Brookings Fishing Charters customer, holds a limit of lingcod caught on the Nauti-Lady.
Just before Thanksgiving, the Nauti-Lady took a family out for a half-day bottom fishing trip, and aside from nice limits of rockfish, they hammered the lingcod in shallow water. One of the young anglers excitedly said the charter was one of the “best days of my life.” The lingcod action was fast and furious that day.
A family holds their Thanksgiving week catch of lingcod from the Nauti-Lady.
Another customer fished aboard the Nauti-Lady in November for her birthday. She caught a limit of rockfish and a limit of lingcod. She said the charter fishing experience was a great way to spend her birthday, and she was pleased with the catch and experience.
Earlier this fall, anglers aboard the Nauti-Lady also encountered great rockfish action, and lingcod-after-lingcod near House Rock.
During the late summer, the Nauti-Lady made numerous trips to the lighthouse, where the lingcod action is among the best on the West Coast. Lingcod from 5 to 25 pounds were caught, with a few bigger fish mixed in.
Cathy celebrated her birthday aboard the Nauti-Lady in November, and caught her limit of lingcod.
The Nauti-Lady joined the Brookings Fishing Charters fleet in 2020. Originally from Ilwaco, Wash., the Nauti-Lady is a 42-foot Rawson specifically designed for Northwest charter fishing. It is skippered by Capt. Andy Martin, as well as Capt. Michael McGahan. The charter boat is especially popular with families and large groups, but also runs mixed charters to the lighthouse and the local half-day trips to Bird Island and Twin Rocks.
The Brookings Fishing Charters fleet also includes the Miss Brooke, Kraken, Papa B, Dash and Bout Time. All of the captains are local, full-time, year-round charter boat captains and fishing guides.
Here are some of the great lingcod catches in recent weeks aboard the Nauti-Lady.
The albacore tuna action was fast and furious for a couple of weeks this summer out of Brookings, as the hard-fighting, great-eating fish came within 20 miles of the harbor and produced steady action for the charter and private boat fleet.
Customers hold some of the albacore tuna they caught in August 2021 aboard the Nauti-Lady.
Brookings Fishing Charters ran numerous tuna trips this summer aboard the Miss Brooke, Nauti-Lady, Dash and Papa B. The best action was in mid-August, but fish were caught in early September as well.
Anglers watched satellite images for weeks and waited for a break in the weather. On Aug. 12, Capt. Andy aboard the Nauti-Lady found 59-degree water only 18 miles offshore. He took 12 anglers aboard the Nauti-Lady to the tuna grounds, and they got into the albacore quickly trolling tuna drones behind Okuma big game rods combined with Penn Squall big game reels. A few miles further offshore, Capt. Travis and Capt. Michael aboard the Miss Brooke found another large school of tuna and quickly filled their fish bags and barrels.
A boat full of albacore tuna caught aboard The Dash with Capt. Mick.
The next day, the Miss Brooke, Dash and Papa B returned to the tuna grounds for more hot action. The Brookings Fishing Charters crew ran a few more trips that week before windy weather returned. Later in the month, tuna were still caught, but the fish had moved offshore and scattered.
During the peak of the action in mid-August, the Dash returned to port with 75 tuna for five anglers. The boat ran out of room to hold any more tuna. Most days the charters averaged four to six tuna a person.
Capt. Travis shows off an average tuna from the Miss Brooke this past summer.
The Brookings Fishing Charters fleet is equipped with the highest-quality tuna gear in the local charter fleet, with Penn reels and high-end big game rods, plugs a wide selection of tuna lures. The six-pack boats also get to the tuna grounds quickly, while the Nauti-Lady can accommodate larger groups and hold bigger quantities of fish.
To learn more about tuna fishing with Brookings Fishing Charters, visit www.brookingsfishing.com. Most tuna trips are booked through a call list, since the albacore arrive off the coast of Brookings at different times each summer.
A nice load of tuna from the Dash in 2021.Some of the great albacore tuna caught aboard the Papa B with Capt. Mike.Customers hold some of the albacore tuna caught aboard the Miss Brooke during the summer of 2021.One of many double hookups aboard the Nauti-Lady.Family fun catching albacore aboard the Miss Brooke.Another double aboard the Nauti-Lady.Wheel barrels full of albacore tuna after a day of fishing aboard the Nauti-Lady.
