Salmon

[Abalone]

Has anyone attempted fly fishing for Chinooks on the Coast Streams yet ?

I think it is a bit early but I am on Standby for some 10 wt. action. I need to get my new 10 wt. Broke in.

[Ryan Pultz]

It never hurts to try and heck there has to be a few early run fish with all the rains. rp

[Abalone]

I don't think so, Not quite yet. But soon.....

[TillamookChinook]

I tried yesterday, on the Trask, the Kilchis and the N.Fork Nehalem.

I was fishing with confidence because there were a good number of fish showing (splashing) in Loren's Drift, even if nobody was getting bit. I saw mostly chinook, and one coho. I took the fly rod into the run above Loren's where I briefly hooked a couple of salmon a few years ago. Alas, no strikes.

I was fishing with confidence at the Kilchis because the only other guy there had already caught a chinook and a chum (released), then caught another chinook as soon as I stepped into the river. He was fishing a purple/pink jig under a bobber. I fished bobber/eggs until he left, then switched to flies since there wouldn't be any bait/gear fishers to bother with my antics. I could get a pretty good drift through the prime hole, first with pink/purple, then with green after I saw a big chum surface. Alas, no hits.

I fished below the hatchery on N.F.N. in the afternoon. There had been fish caught earlier, but nothing while I was there. There were 8 other bait/gear fishers, but I found a stretch of water to fling the fly without intruding. Again, I was fishing with confidence because this was the spot I had landed 4 coho in 30 minutes last year (on bait). Alas, no hits.

I am resolved to fish with flies each time I go out this year.

I get another chance for a couple of hours on Wednesday morning, then will be gone for a couple of weeks. I hate it when I have to be away during prime salmon time.

TC

[Abalone]

TillamookChinook: That's an awsome report.
Have you caught a Salmon on a fly before ?

You told me what I wanted to hear.

" There are fish in the River "

[TillamookChinook]

Yes, I have caught salmon on a fly before. I caught a coho, some humpies and sockeye and a ton of chum a few years ago in Alaska.

I also caught a sockeye(?) two summers ago in the Skeena River in B.C. (photo below)


http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/2243Skeena04.jpg


I am more proud of the Skeena fish because I had to work hard to find any local info on fishing, then found the access point and caught the fish in the first 10 minutes. I just knew that I was going to catch a lot of fish then, but it turned out that that was the only one.

I have found it a lot harder to catch salmon on the fly in Oregon, but it will make it even better when I finally do.

TC

[SilverFly]

Assuming the conditions are good, I think it depends on the river. The Trask gets the earlier fish and I used to plan on the 3rd week of October if it was raining. Having fought more chinook down there than I've landed (using heavy gear no less), I'm not sure a 10wt is really up to snuff for those fish in fast water! The 32#er I got last month :grin: was in tidewater and made my 10wt feel like a buggy whip and still had to be chased down! That said, I'd love to join you down there next month even if it means getting my butt kicked!

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[Abalone]

The reason I ask is that I too would like to Score on a Nooki and I haven't done that yet. Perhaps we could join forces ?

[TillamookChinook]

I'm ready after November 2nd, assuming I manage to hike out of the Grand Canyon as well as hike in.

TC

[Riverkeeper]

Strong work Jim! Thanks for the report.

[santiamflyguy]

There are fish in right now. PM sent :smile:.

I got nice one last night on a 9 weight and did fine...probably a 30# or so in a decent current (low water though so not that much power behind it). 20lb flourocarbon is my friend.

[dirtyCut]

I dont fish as much fly for salmon as I say Im going to, however when I do and throw big a-leaches I do ok. What all are you guys using for the chinooks? Just curious, and thanks in advance for any info.

KC

[santiamflyguy]

dynamite :smile: