Coho

[Abalone]

Howdi:
Has anyone that has been out in the Ocean or near the bar noticed Coho feeding on the surface this year ? I am looking for some surface action to cast my fly to. Don't hear of a lot of people fishing our Saltwater with a fly, but I have been pursuing it this season.


BTW: I am new to Ifish HELLO

[ 07-26-2003, 07:26 AM: Message edited by: Abalone ]

[Steelheader69]

Abalone, I don't fish Oregon much, but have some tips for you. Wait for low tide, and head to the beach without your fly rod. Look for abstructions that would "box" baitfish in. I know prime spots I fish up here in WA, I work an area that make a natural "boxing in" scenerio. This way the baitfish get chased into it and bubble up when attacked. I know I have all my luck at high tides when the fish are in. Will watch the explosions on the surface and see baitfish everywhere. You'll see the coho finning the surface, even coming out head completely out of water getting them. I usuall toss in a baitfish pattern and do strip/pause/strip/pause on or just under the surface. You'll know they are on, you'll feel the line in your hand get YANKED.

[skein]

We had three or four instances yesterday where we could see them under the surface as we brought our rigging in. We were at the north end of the rockpile and mainly targeting chinook with mooching rigs, but we had several coho on and they were mostly near the top.

I would say they were easily catchable with a fly, but you'd have to know they were there or you could end up fishing a lot of empty ocean.

We didn't see any baitballs or birds working, and that's usually what I watch for. Then I motor up, kill the engine and toss to the frenzy. I haven't used a fly yet, but I'm pretty sure I will try it before long.

Wonder what pattern would work? Something that resembles a chartreuse hootchie? Pink? Any ideas out there?

Skein

[Abalone]

Thanks Chromer: Rock Pile ? That's a long way off shore. Somebody suggested that I use a flasher towed on the surface to attract fish and drag a fly next to it. I am sure that would work but I am more interested in convential technique. Have you tried using a fly ? Patterns ? I am using a herring immitator like the ones you see at most fly shops. Blue and white. They come in other colors also. The only person I know that has successfully done this on a regular basis is Dudley Nelson. He used to do this when he was stationed at Newport. He even landed a coulple of Nooks over
twenty pounds. What a kick that would be. I am determined to do it this year. I always take my fly rod to Vancouver island when I go but never really had the right conditions for it. With all the Coho in the Ocean this year I think I have a good chance. I know Newport has bait near the bay most of the time but I am not sure about the North Coast where I fish most of the time. Later in August when the Coho's
come closer I may head for Newport or Depoe bay. If you catch a Salmon on a fly let me know. Good Luck !

[skein]

You mean your belly boat won't make it to the rockpile? :grin:

I was just saying that when we found 'em, we found lots of 'em near the surface.

Last fall at Reedsport there were huge numbers of coho in the river, and I cursed myself for not throwing a fly at them. The main problem was that I usually had two or three other fishers on board, meaning a fly whipping back and forth was not a good idea.

What do you think of this pattern? I'm going to buy a couple (Cabela's Fly Fishing catalog) and see if they generate any interest.



I fish Vancouver Island too. Where do you usually go? We camp and fish around Port McNeil.

Skein

[ 07-27-2003, 10:23 AM: Message edited by: skein ]

[Abalone]

Skein: Belly Boat ! That's good, I like it. I would love to go out there but I have never been.I don't have the Coordinants to the Rock Pile, Chicken Ranch or a lot of other hots spots I would like to visit. Heck ! There is a fellow that lives in Long Beach that takes a 13.5 ft. Zodiac out 40 miles to fish for Tuna and he goes to the Halibut hole also. He has been rescued by the Coast Guard Twice. I would go Twenty miles off shore if condition are right. That is only because of my Fuel Limit. I fish close to shore most of the times. I bottom fish the headlands and I get all the bottom fish I need. But If I thought it would be worth the trip I wouldn't hesistate to go to the Rockpile. I think those patterns would work fine. I don't find that the fish in the Ocean are very selective this year. If it wiggles they will hit it. Inflatables are very Sea Worthy boats but comfortable they are not. I have mine because I SCUBA dive but I am ready to trade up any time.

Thanks

[Abalone]

Skein:
Vancouver Island: I fish the West coast. I have had my Rubber boat to Nootka, Kyuquot ( now that's what I call fishing ) and Quatsino a great place if you like Rednecks, Big Salmon, Red Snapper and few people. I love it in all these places and hope that someday I can afford a trip back.I would be happy to visit anyone of them. For isolation and virgin reefs Kyuquot is beyond belief. I caught Halis in Ninety feet of water, no current and didn't see another boat all day.
The problem is my wife doesn't think catching fish is as smart as buying fish. Go figure ! She don't like camping either. Well at least the kind where you get all dirty and smell like fish.

[skein]

Sounds like we have a lot in common. Janis and I both dive, although she is the water-dog in the family. She is sooooo comfortable in the water. Wow. We're even thinking of doing some diving out of our new boat, but will have to see how it works and how we might rig it.

I know what you mean about the little rubber boats. We have a twelve foot Quicksilver that we have both flyfished out of, along with duck hunting and just goofing around. They are pretty amazing little boats, aren't they? We got ours so we could take it along when we pulled the 5th-wheel and camped by some lake that needed to be fished. Works great!

Quatsino! Yea. We launch at Coal Harbor and run all the way out to Winter Harbor. Beautiful country. With the new boat we will be able to go on out to the Pacific and play a little out there. The only negative is the &^&%(*)* parking lot at Coal Harbor. What a zoo.

Haven't tried Nootka yet, but might just have to add that to our intenerary. We go up every other year and try to stay for at least a couple of weeks. You should see my camp. Your wife would think she's staying in a motel. :grin:

Let's try to hook up as the season progresses and see if we can learn a little about putting the (fly) whammy on those silvers.

Skein

[Abalone]

Originally posted by skein:
Sounds like we have a lot in common. Janis and I both dive, although she is the water-dog in the family. She is sooooo comfortable in the water. Wow. We're even thinking of doing some diving out of our new boat, but will have to see how it works and how we might rig it.

I know what you mean about the little rubber boats. We have a twelve foot Quicksilver that we have both flyfished out of, along with duck hunting and just goofing around. They are pretty amazing little boats, aren't they? We got ours so we could take it along when we pulled the 5th-wheel and camped by some lake that needed to be fished. Works great!

Quatsino! Yea. We launch at Coal Harbor and run all the way out to Winter Harbor. Beautiful country. With the new boat we will be able to go on out to the Pacific and play a little out there. The only negative is the &^&%(*)* parking lot at Coal Harbor. What a zoo.

Haven't tried Nootka yet, but might just have to add that to our intenerary. We go up every other year and try to stay for at least a couple of weeks. You should see my camp. Your wife would think she's staying in a motel. :grin:

Let's try to hook up as the season progresses and see if we can learn a little about putting the (fly) whammy on those silvers.

Skein

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Oregon has some of the best diving available anywhere. I used to dive offshore a lot but I am too picky about dive buddies. You really have to have your act together regarding the Ocean. We can talk about that if you want. I went out with a dive charter last year. We went to Neahkani Mt. It was a disaster. The skipper didn't know his %$ from a hole in the ground and I got stuck with the usual unexperienced diver. When we went to Quatsino sound a couple of years ago we drove our
boats to Winter harbor. It makes a lot more sense to go it from Coal harbor or better yet Port Alice.
Beautiful place. I think I lived there in a previos life. The road to Winter harbor is terrible and will
wreck your boat if you don't tie it down good. Fishing is outstanding. Around the light house to the North is the best Red Snapper fishing you will ever find in shallow water. Actually the fish and game called them Vermillians. I would trade all my halibut for one of them things. The best fish I ever et. After we left Quatsino ( Actually thrown out by the necks) but that's another story.
We hit some lakes above Port Alice. Man ! Lake Oconnel. Full of Sea Run Cutts, and Sockeye.
We caught the Sockeye trolling a Rapala using light trout gear. But it is illegal to retain them.
I love it up there. Kyuquot is the #1 best place on the pacific coast south of Alaska. Man you cannot believe the fishing there. Problem is they took the gas dock out a couple of years ago. If you want gas you have to arrange it delivered by the Uchuck out of Gold river. I don't have one bad thing to say about Kyuquot except that I don't get to spend enough time there. Nootka gets too crowded during the Springer run. I hear a lot of bad stories. But my wife and I stayed at Cabin 6 at friendly cove and I thaught I had died and went to heaven. I would go back but not necessarily to fish. I did dive and it was fanastic.

Later

[bllelk]

Skien:

I've got the gear and the flies if you have the ride.
Are you bringing corn to ifish stock? I was planning on bringing my cooker.
Bill