10-27-02 - The Coho Run at the Pike is ON!
Rivers Fished: Pike River
Fish Caught: 1 fair, 3 foul
Outing Date: 10-27-02
Weather: Overcast
Air Temp: 50's
Water Temp: Cold
Water Level: LOW
Water Color: Clear
Fish Species: Coho, Chinook, Steelhead
Pattern Fished: Egg Sucking Leach
Pattern Color: Black w/ Chartreuse
Fishing Quality: A+
Yes, another rambling report, but this time I only
fished 2 hours or so! The river is my mistress and I had to come
give her my weekly visit, but this one was a quickie!
Arrived around 3:00 pm. I was on until about 5:15
at the latest! Again, at the bridge at A. Fished the riffles just
below 13th Street and above the bridge at A. A couple of guys were
fishing the pools immediately below 13th, whereas I choose to settle
into the riffles.
So here's the cool part; the river is FULL of Coho!
They were traveling in small packs of 3-4 fish...rapidly moving
upstream. They would run, hold, run, hold etc... My estimate is
that 40-50 Coho passed by me in the time I was out. I also saw a
couple steelhead and a few Chinook that were at death's door, along
with a couple larger salmon that could have been chinook, that were
quite fresh. I have to say it's absolutely hilarious to watch these
HUGE fish swimming upstream like a snowplow; I actually watch a
big Chinook swim clear onto the bank! There were also some smaller,
ca. 12" salmonids that I really couldn't figure out what they
were (perhaps young steelhead). These fish were just white/silver,
and very small. They really stood out.
So the fishing was great in my limited time out.
The guys upstream shouted down that they were fishing home-made
playdough (which, when you think about it, would probably work pretty
well; hey, it's not that much different than the glo bugs we all
use). Their hot colors were white and green. So I immediately tied
on a black with chartreuse head egg sucking leech. I foul hooked
one big, nasty Chinook (dorsal hook) as he was sitting in the hole
with all the NICE fish. Also fouled up on two Coho...had to land
one to get the hook off but he was on his way in no time.
So the highlight was a beautiful male coho, just
starting to come into breeding dress with a couple splashes of pink.
I drifted my egg-sucking leach down into a small pool (ca. 4 foot
X 2 foot) in the middle of the riffles where the fish were holding
up, and slowly retrieved it a couple inches at a time. Suddenly
I felt a whack, not tough, but a definite hook up. Set the hook
and the fight was on. Lots of thrashing and splashing 'cause the
water is only 3-4" deep in some places...the fish ran downstream
quite a way and then came back up, at which point I quickly landed
the fish. A beautiful fair hook, just on the inside of the jaw.
Quite a fun day! I have to thank the guys upstream who loaned me
their stringer; THANKS! Hopefully you'll get to use it the next
time you're out! It's very appreciated guys!
On the downside, I did see a couple guys as they
were leaving who clearly took way past their limit in one day; I
visually guessed at 20 VISIBLE fish on the stringer; it took both
guys to lug it up the bank and they almost didn't make it. Come
on, where is the DNR when you need them?!
And just for fun, once again I have pics! If you
guys want Coho (which are fresh and fun right now) I'd head to the
Pike; it was great fishing on Sunday evening!
Lot's of Fair Hooks for y'all!
MP

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