If the early signals are correct, the Fraser River could have the biggest salmon run in B.C. history this summer, with up to 72 million sockeye returning.
That would be more than double the record number that came back in 2010, when about 30 million sockeye flooded into the Fraser, overwhelming fish plants with such bounty they ran out of ice and storage boxes.
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“I mean, it’s hard to fathom,” Rollie Rose, president of Sooke Salmon Charters Ltd., said in an interview of the magnitude of the projections from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
He told colleagues in a recent e-mail: “The news could not be any better … you will see fishing this year better than you have seen in your lifetime.”
Good ocean conditions for salmon in the past two years have resulted in forecasts of big runs all along the West Coast, extending into the United States, where officials recently predicted three million Chinook and coho for the Columbia River.
But the Fraser is expected to get the biggest return because the sockeye coming back are the progeny of the 2010 run, which was the largest in nearly 100 years.
Les Jantz, DFO’s acting area director for the B.C. Interior, said it is too early to say with certainty just how many sockeye will return. The forecast ranges from a low of 7.3 million to a high of 72.5 million.
If it is at the high end, he said, it will top anything seen in the Fraser “as long as we’ve been keeping records.”
Even at a conservative mid-range estimate of 23 million sockeye, it would be a prodigious run in a river where stocks have declined dramatically for nearly two decades, with runs of two to four million common. The run hit a low of 1.3 million in 2009 before bouncing back unexpectedly the next year in what many thought was a “one off” event.
In 2010, DFO saw signs of a good year and predicted four million to 29 million sockeye would return. As the season advanced, managers realized the high end would be reached.
A similar scenario may unfold this year, as fisheries managers begin to get hard data from sports anglers and commercial fishermen during early openings. By July, the numbers should be firm.
But Mr. Jantz said even at this early date, there is reason for excitement, because ocean conditions have been very good for salmon for the past three years, and a record number of young sockeye migrated out of the Fraser in the spring of 2012. Those fish would have encountered prime conditions, with upwellings of cold water that salmon prefer and are rich with the zooplankton and phytoplankton blooms young fish eat.
“We’re always cautious. That’s built into our system,” he said. “But it’s certainly looking good .”
Wilf Luedke, DFO’s chief of stock assessment on the south coast, said the Fraser is not the only watershed that is looking good.
Mr. Luedke said there are indications of strong chinook and coho runs to several rivers, and a big sockeye run is expected to the Somas River on Vancouver Island.
Like Mr. Jantz, he credited ocean conditions.
“That’s not the only factor, but it’s the biggest one,” he said.
He also noted that last year, large numbers of jack coho, chinook and sockeye returned to rivers. Jacks are immature fish that come back a year early. When a lot of them return, it usually signals a big run of mature fish will follow.
Mr. Luedke cautioned the forecast will not be certain until “ the hooks and nets hit the water.”
Ernie Crey, fisheries adviser to the Sto:lo Tribal Council, said the forecast numbers are amazing.
“I think sockeye will be a banner year,” he said.
But Mr. Crey urged DFO not to allow too much fishing before the actual size of the run is known.
“I say yes, be excited, and it’s wonderful we’re looking at this tremendous year in front of us. But I am always one to encourage them to exercise a bit of caution,” he said.
Friday, June 20, 2014
Sockeye Fishing Tips By Jimmie Jack
Yes, I know there are many ways to catch or snag a sockeye or red salmon in the tail, but here I will explain how I coach people to catch sockeye (red) salmon. Now, my technique is for catching them legally in the mouth. So if you are not interested in that method, then you may want to stop reading now.
Red salmon fishing is easy when there are 50,000 plus running by your feet in the middle of July. You gotta be brain dead and on life support not to at least get one on by simply whipping your line through the water just off the bank. So how do you catch them when there are very few passing by, or when you want to get your limit and get back to the campfire? And how do you hook them in the mouth?
I like to use a 9 foot rod whether it is a 9 weight fly rod, or a stiff tip salmon rod. That helps me get a more powerful hookset when I decide to swing the metal into its lips. I always keep my hook sharp. I replace hooks or sharpen them constantly. In the main stem of the Kenai River I use a 4/0 Gamakatsu Octupus hook, and on the Russian I use a Russian river hook (specific size - see the regulations). I place 3 chartreuse 6 millimeter beeds on my 20# test green or clear monofilament leader and tie on my hook. Most of the time I have leaders ready, and use an eggloop knot, but you may find me tying a simple clinch not just to get back in the water. You can break your line easily if you snag the fish in the wrong mouth, like the tail mouth. It's power can either run you out of line, or you can point your rod at the fish, and hold your reel to break him off.
Okay, so some of you are saying why 20 pound test? You say, "I am a sportsman, and I can land that 8 pound fish with my 5# Stren!" Great! Go for it Mister Wizard. You gotta understand that you are going to fight 6 - 8 knots of current, and one crazy fish with at least of few friends downriver. Well, when your fish strings you out, and you begin to move like a monkey, climbing trees, and passing your rod around your buddies, and running downstream you may think twice. OR& your friends, hoping they are still friends on your 4th trip past them in 20 minutes, may let you know that you're messing up the fishing for everyone downstream. So just be aware that everyone else is using 30# test, and their drags are set on "stun." Have fun, and most important, make friends by following the trend of the anglers around you.
I usually place a split shot or twist lock weight about 3 - 4 feet from my hook. The amount of weight will depend on the speed of water you are fishing. You want your weight to lightly tick the bottom as it swings downstream. You will have to adjust your weight accordingly. This is also dependent on the type of swing you are making. First, I find it helpful to figure out where the line of fish are swimming. Red salmon usually follow a beaten path, and you find that path by watching others, or swinging your beads through the water in front of you. Red salmon are found in the water in front of you, about 3 to 10 feet from the bank, depending on the water speed and depth. There is no need for you to cast, and no need to be in past your ankles. Simply pull out some line and flip. The faster the water, the closer they swim, and the tighter line they will run. (There is a big hint here if you want to target them easily) So you definitely do not want to fish the frog water where you see them boiling, unless you just want to snag them in the dorsal fin. The reason you fish them in fast running water is because they will all be facing forward for your presentation, and there will be a constant flow of fish in a line. Too easy right? Absolutely!
Now back to the weight issue. It is important that your terminal tackle enters the water at the same point because of the water speed issue. Then once you get your weight correct, and it is ticking along the bottom you will need to keep your entry point (a matter of degree, and distance from shore) the same. If you do not stay consistent you will continually be struggling to have your weight tick the bottom. It is very important that your weight does not stick on every rock or float above the bottom. The Sockeye are on the bottom. As your weight ticks across the rocks it will eventually be picked up by a Sockeye. It may take it hard, but most likely the fish will just stop your hook. It feels like caught the bottom.
When a red salmon grabs your hook it will just stop your hook on its mouth, and you must JERK like you mean it. Keep your sunglasses on and watch for other anglers. To hook the fish in the mouth you jerk up, and to hook them in the side you jerk sideways. Remember that a snagged fish, or one not hooked in the mouth must be released, or you may run into another friend&the fish and game officer. Remember to bring some extra hooks and weights, pliers, sunglasses, and a hook sharpener before you walk down to the river. Have fun with one of Alaska's most powerful fighting fish, the Sockeye Salmon!
Rip some lips,
Jimmie Jack
Salmon Fishing Kenai River Alaska
The Kenai River is the most popular sport fishing destination in Alaska, particularly for King or Chinook salmon.[3][4][5][6] Each year there are two runs each of king salmon, silver salmon, red salmon, plus a run of pink salmon every other year. The world record king salmon, which weighed about 44 kg (97 lb), was caught in the Kenai River in 1985. The Kenai is also the home of trophy size rainbow trout and Dolly Varden. Stretching to sizes over 76.2 cm (30 inches). Occasionally there will be reports of catching of "Steelhead"(Sea-run Trout).
The king salmon fishery is not as prolific as in other Alaskan rivers, but the Kenai is known for its large fish. A typical king in the second run, beginning in mid-July, weighs 40–85 pounds (18–23 kg), with considerably larger specimens not uncommon. The "Lower Kenai" is well known for its run and sizes of its king salmon.
The silver salmon runs occur in early August and late September. The September run is favored by local anglers due to the larger size of the silver salmon.
The red salmon runs are in late-June (bluebacks) and late-July. Reds are considered the premier salmon for eating, canning, and smoking.
The pink salmon run occurs in even numbered years only. These fish are considered pests by many anglers because they interfere with catching other species and because, by the time they reach inland freshwater, their meat may be soft and oily compared to other species. Nevertheless, using super-light tackle (e.g., 4-pound test), angling for pinks can be a real treat. On a heavy day, even a casual fisher might catch several dozen of the species.
The king salmon fishery is not as prolific as in other Alaskan rivers, but the Kenai is known for its large fish. A typical king in the second run, beginning in mid-July, weighs 40–85 pounds (18–23 kg), with considerably larger specimens not uncommon. The "Lower Kenai" is well known for its run and sizes of its king salmon.
The silver salmon runs occur in early August and late September. The September run is favored by local anglers due to the larger size of the silver salmon.
The red salmon runs are in late-June (bluebacks) and late-July. Reds are considered the premier salmon for eating, canning, and smoking.
The pink salmon run occurs in even numbered years only. These fish are considered pests by many anglers because they interfere with catching other species and because, by the time they reach inland freshwater, their meat may be soft and oily compared to other species. Nevertheless, using super-light tackle (e.g., 4-pound test), angling for pinks can be a real treat. On a heavy day, even a casual fisher might catch several dozen of the species.
Saturday, June 7, 2014
What is Water Ballast-Advantages and Disadvantages
A common type of ballast for small boats that avoids many of the problems of high density ballast is water ballast. While it seems counter-intuitive that placing water in the hull (which is, after all, the same density as the water outside the hull) would add any stability, adding water ballast below the vertical center of gravity increases stability. The water ballast does not need to be lifted above the waterline to affect stability, as any material having greater bulk density than air will have an effect on the centre of gravity. It is the relationship between centre of gravity and centre of buoyancy that dictates the righting moment.
The advantage of water ballast is that the tanks can be emptied, reducing draft or the weight of the boat (e.g. for transport on ground) and water added back in (in small boats, simply by opening up the valves and letting the water flow in) after the boat is launched or cargo unloaded. Pumps can also be used to empty the leeward ballast tank and fill the windward tank as the boat tacks, and the quantity of ballast can be varied to keep the boat at the optimum angle of heel. On empty cargo vessels water is added to ballast tanks to increase propeller immersion, to improve steering, and to control trim and draft.
A disadvantage of water ballast is that water is not very dense and therefore the tanks required take up more space than other forms of ballast. Some manufacturers offer flexible ballast bags that are mounted outboard of the hull on both sides, and pumps that use the boat's speed through the water for power. When under way, the pump can be used to fill the windward side, while the lee side is allowed to drain. This system, while not very attractive, does allow significant gains in righting force with no modifications to the hull.
A trick commonly used on boats with water ballast is to link port and starboard tanks with a valved pipe. When preparing to tack, the valve is opened, and water in the windward tank, which is higher, is allowed to flow to the lee side, and the sheet is let off to keep the boat from heeling too far. Once as much water as possible has been transferred to the lee side, the boat is brought about and the sail sheeted in, lifting the newly full windward tank. A simple hand pump can then be used to move any remaining water from the lee to the windward tank.
(References: www. wikipedia.org)
Friday, June 6, 2014
How to Launch a Boat-by Jake Gourd
Many people new to boating are anxious about controlling their expensive investment; with practice launching your boat will soon be a straightforward task. The first thing any neophyte captain should do is hook their boat trailer up and head to a quiet car park and get some practice. Arriving at a boat ramp and attempting to launch your boat before you know how to reverse a trailer isn't recommended.
Basics of reversing with a trailer
Firstly position your vehicle and trailer as straight as you can and roughly a trailer's length from the place you want to reverse. Keep your eyes on the trailer out of the driver's window while slowly reversing, and start turning the steering wheel towards the right. Grasp the wheel at the bottom and steer gently and progressively - it is fat easier to add more steering than to correct it after turning too much. Grasping the wheel at the bottom should prevent you from over-turning the wheel and if your steering wheel starts straight, you will know throughout the turn, without looking, that at the lowest point your wheels are straight again.
When the trailer starts to turn, start straightening up while still reversing. Leave straightening up too late and moving the wheel to quickly will cause the trailer to jack-knife.
Eventually you will be steering in the opposite direction whilst still reversing. Bring the vehicle's front around to follow the trailer and watch where the trailer is in case it needs to be corrected.
Continue reversing in a straight line looking in both mirrors. Reverse carefully and slowly. When you can see more of the trailer in one mirror, steer towards that side to start moving the trailer the other way. Corrections only require a small steering movement.
Moving forward to straighten the trailer is a simple option before continuing to reverse.
With practice you will be confident in your ability to back up several hundred feet without jack-knifing your trailer or rear-ending anything you are ready to launch your boat at a boat ramp. Try and select a quiet weekday morning for your first launch and have experienced help at hand.
At the launching ramp
The first important rule when launching is being prepared before you position on the launching ramp. That means ensuring that all your equipment safely stored, the boat drain plug in, the boat key in the ignition, any fastening straps off, the trailer lights disconnected and a safety rope connected to the bow of the boat.
Keep both the winch strap and safety chain on the trailer connected until you reach the water. It only takes second to disconnect them before you launch.
Slowly reverse the boat down the ramp and stop just before the stern of the boat hangs over the water. Disconnect the winch strap and remove any pins or other devices used to prevent any outboard motor from tipping down. When the boat is disconnected from the trailer back the boat down until the wheels of the trailer are submerged in the water
When the boat is ready to float off, have a boating buddy take the bowline or tie the line securely to your vehicle or winch handle.
Once the boat is away from the trailer, either beach the boat or tie it off to the dock with the bowline. An experienced boatman will have someone start the engine and move the boat away from the dock until the driver has parked the vehicle and is ready to board.
You should attempt to launch as quickly and as smoothly as possible to show courtesy to other boaters.
When putting your boat back onto the trailer the same rules apply, but there are a few other hazards that you should be aware of, particularly if you're tired or feeling rushed.
When you tie up your boat at the dock, put your vehicle keys in your pocket, retrieve your vehicle and claim a space in line at the ramp to remove your boat from the water.
It is important that before you tow your boat out of the water ensure that the engine has been tilted up to avoid damaging it on the ramp.
Many common problems when launching can be avoided by ensuring everything on your boat is in working order before you set off from home!
Written for Bob Spalding by Jake Gourd. Online retailers of Campion boats and other marine, leisure and extreme sport gear based in the UK.
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
How to launch a boat- By D'Arcy Egan
LEVELAND, Ohio - "Ramp rage" is sweeping the shoreline of Lake Erie and many of the popular Northeast Ohio reservoirs, a state of frustration brought on by unnecessarily long waits at local launch ramps.
Ramp rage is not the result of crowds of boaters launching or retrieving their trailered craft, or the mind-numbing heat wave.
It's provoked by boaters who don't know the rules of the ramp or, worse yet, are appallingly indifferent to the fact they're inconveniencing boating brethren.
When you buy a boat, seldom are you taught the boating rules of the road or launch-ramp etiquette.
I've watched many dozens of tournament fishermen quickly and efficiently launch boats in predawn light. Once the boat is in the water, the skipper leaves the launch ramp area. He either motors into the water a few yards away or ties up to a courtesy dock away from the ramp. After his partner parks the tow vehicle, he is quickly picked up at the courtesy dock and they're ready to go fishing.
There are seldom long wait times, or spates of ramp rage that can turn nasty.
Norm Marek sent an email the other day after an ugly experience at the Avon Lake Launch Ramp. There are two lanes for launching a boat or retrieving a boat. Marek wanted to launch his boat, and had been waiting quite a while because other boats were tied up at the launch dock, effectively blocking the ramp. A courtesy dock was nearby, wrote Marek. No one was using it.
Marek's driver angled the boat so it could be launched around boats tied up to the launch dock for an inordinate amount of time. Tempers flared. Marek was told, in no uncertain terms, that he was in the wrong despite launch etiquette mandating boaters not tie up to launch docks for any length of time.
A big surprise over the years has been the large number of boaters who don't utilize courtesy docks, located a couple of dozen yards away from the ramp. Some don't know they exist. Marek pointed out while the launch docks were clogged with boats - a sure way to slow the in-and-out flow on the ramp - the courtesy dock designed to smooth ramp traffic was empty.
"I've seen one jet ski take up 28 feet of launch ramp dock," said Craig Lewis at Erie Outfitters in Sheffield Lake. "I can only hope some boaters get the idea after they keep getting yelled at by guys like me. There was a boat tied up at the Sheffield Lake launch dock for more than 20 minutes the other day so someone could take a bathroom break."
When boaters arrive at a launch ramp, here's what they must do before get into the launch line:
- Remove all tie-downs except the winch hook attached to the bow, and disconnect the trailer wiring plug.
- Load all gear, from fishing tackle to coolers and life jackets.
- Make sure the drain plug is in, batteries are charged, fuel levels are good and boat lights work.
- Attach stout lines to bow and stern cleats and have a boat hook ready.
- Tell the crew what's expected of them while launching.
When you're ready to back the boat down the ramp, follow these rules:
- Back down the ramp until the boat motor's cool-water intakes are submerged.
- Start the engine and let it idle for a few moments to prevent stalling.
- Remove the trailer winch hook from the boat's bow eye.
- Finish backing the boat down the ramp, lower the drive unit and slowly back off the trailer and head to the courtesy dock to wait for the tow vehicle driver.
When you're back at the ramp, follow these guidelines:
- Tie up at the courtesy dock and drop off the tow vehicle driver.
- Understand the tow vehicle's place in line determines the order boats will be retrieved, not where a boat is tied to a launch dock.
- As the trailer is backed down the ramp, the boater should leave the courtesy dock or an open water area and slowly motor to the trailer.
- The boater can slowly drive onto the trailer, or the tow vehicle driver can winch the boat on the trailer.
- Raise the motor's lower unit so it won't scrape the ramp.
- Head for an open area of the parking lot before unloading any gear, removing the drain plug, plugging in trailer lights and attaching tie-down straps.
It's always entertaining to watch the boat launch follies on a Saturday afternoon at busy launch ramps along the Lake Erie shoreline. Tow vehicles and trailers can jack-knife while backing down the ramp. Tie-down straps might still be attached, keeping a boat pinned to trailer. A missing drain plug always earns a few hoots. Tow vehicles can go too far down the ramp and get wet.
If you're a new boater, head to an empty parking lot and practice backing up. Use the side mirrors. It takes a while to learn the moves, but speeds up the process.
At the launch ramp, make friends with fellow boaters. Ask for launch help when it's needed. Volunteer a helping hand when others struggle on a windy day. And be sure to stow the ramp rage, even when a boater deserves to be slapped silly with a day-old sheepshead.
Drift fishing for steelhead
Drift fishing is the most flexible method of fishing for steelhead, but one of the toughest to master. You must have the right equipment, be able to read fish holding water, detect the bite lightest of bites and set the hook before the fish spits out the bait.
Bouncing a piece of lead (slinky or pencil lead) along the bottom of a stream and then detecting the difference between a fish bite and the bottom. Seem simple enough? Its not when you didn't get a bite all day or did you?
Rods
Fishing poles needs to be sensitive enough to feel every grain of sand, yet strong enough to set the hook with 40 yards of line across the current. This is the most important piece of the of equipment you will buy and the most expensive (besides a boat). My standard rod is 8.5' long and rated for 8-17lb line with a baitcasting style reel. When I side drift out of my jet sled I switch to a longer rod with lighter line equipped with a spinning reel so I can cast the light lures farther (boon dog setup).
Choosing a rod
- Type of fishing (drift fishing?, plunking?, float fishing?, noodling?, spin fishing?, plugging?)
- Size of lure to be cast (heavy lead?, ultra light tackle?)
- Type of reel to be placed on rod (spinning?, bait casting?, center pin?)...this will determine the handle and guides
- composition of rod (graphite density?, fiberglass?.......this will determine the sensitivity of the rod)
- Action of the rod ( Fast, moderate, slow)......this is the bend in the rod
- Size of line (2#,6#,30# test?)
- length of rod (casting from the beach?, boat fishing?, lots of brush fishing?)..........this will determine balance combined with reel
- Warranty (its not uncommon to break a expensive rod!!)
Reels
Reels are a very important part of the puzzle. Your reel should be matched to the pole you will be using.
Most common reels use for steelhead drift fishing are bait casting reels (also called level winds). It takes a little getting use to casting a level wind, but once mastered it provides the best form of control for drift fishing. It also allows you to free spool under control, which increases the time your lure spends in the strike zone. I personally recommend Shimano, Ambassaduer and old Pflueger Supreme bait casting reels (thumb drag).
Spinning reels can be used, but are very awkward in all aspects of drift fishing, Best used for other styles of fishing while casting light lures, boon dogging and for float fishing with jigs.
Center pin reels are used primarily in Canada for float/dink fishing. These reels are single action and your palm is used as the drag system. Not for beginners but are a art in themselves to use properly.
Choosing a reel:
- style of fishing
- amount of line
- type of line (monofilament, braided)......braided lines can cut into the metal of a reel (newer reels are using titanium for the new lines).
- manufacturer........durablitality (buy a quality reel .... it will be tested by big fish)
- drag system
- free spool ability
- antibacklash control
Line
The line you use should match the rod, reel and the conditions you will be fishing. The clearer the water the lighter the line you should use. Michigan steelheaders use line as light as 2 lb test. I commonly use twenty pound line because the rivers I fish are colored, brushy and full of rocks. Cowlitz anglers commonly use 8-10 line and 4 ft leaders while side drifting thumbnail sized cluster eggs or tiny corkies.
Lures
This is were the art of steelhead fishing comes into play. Your bait should match the conditions you are fishing. Can the fish see the lure?, Will it spook the fish?, What color do I need to use? Should I use bait?
Common lures are the Corkies, spin & glow's, cheaters, okies, or something that imitates these standards. Lures come in the colors of the rainbow and every fisherman has their favorite color. They also come with various wiggles, spins and wobbles. Size is also a consideration for your lure presentation. Once you understand the special features you want from a lure, you can match your lure to the conditions. If you can't find a commercial lure to match your needs, you can custom paint lures to meet them.
Bait
A steelhead has a excellent sense of smell. When the water is so stained you can't see in two inches into the water, the steelhead can find your bait by movement and smell. Common baits are sand shrimp, eggs, night crawlers and sea shrimp fished behind a corkie or cheater.
Swivels
Barrel Swivels are used to attach a lighter leader to a heavier main line. This allows you to quickly adjust your rig to water conditions & minimize mainline loss to snags.
Hooks
Your hooks should match the type of lure and bait your using. They should always be sharp for easy penetration. Hooks need to be strong enough to hold a running fish without bending out, and point rollovers from rock encounters. Some areas require barbless single hooks (watch your regulations). You have a better chance of getting a solid fish hookup if you are using double hooks that are pointing in opposite directions. You should check to see if your hooks are sharp after your bait hangs up. Carry a point file with you to freshen up the point. In heavy current fish can often hook themselves when your hooks are sharp.
Lead
Let me start by saying there are numerous ways of hooking up your lead for steelhead fishing. While fishing over the years I have snagged out of the river just about every possible way to rig gear. To help prevent line twists and bottom hang ups. Make sure the lead is straight or it will spin in the current. If you don't have a plunking sinker with you on the river, take your pencil lead and bend it into a C shape. So keep it straight your not plunking your drift fishing.
Pencil lead is the most common and economical type of lead used for drift fishing. Pencil lead comes in various diameters 1/8, 3/16 , 1/4 inch. There are times when I would use 1/2 if they made it. Pencil lead also comes in hollow core and solid. Depending on the way your rigging your lead set up will determine the type of pencil lead you should buy.
Another type of lead is called a slinky. A slinky is a bunch of split shot weights incased in a piece of parachute cord. This allows the lead to bend around rocks with out getting hung up quite as often. A slinky doesn't send back as crisp of a bottom feel as straight lead because of the flexibility of the cord. You also can't adjust the size of the slinky with your pliers if you have to much weight. If you want a slinky with good bottom feel make them out of surgical tubing filled with lead shot.
Stationary leads are used to get baits down quickly in fast current.
A sliding lead set up has many advantages over stationary lead while drift fishing. It makes bite detection easier to detect. Longer time for the fisherman to react to the strike. A sliding lead takes slack out of line by its very nature. . A tight line keeps the hook points stuck in fishes mouth until you strike (not embedded until hook set). A stationary lead can introduce slack between the lead and fish when a fish strikes, causing you not to feel the strike.
Leaders
Leaders should be tied at home and stored in a case/ dispenser. (I use a Pip's Leader dispenser). Your leaders should be a little lighter test than your mainline. You can use the same leader strength as your mainline, but risk breaking off your main line close to your pole (ending your day until you refill your reel with fresh line). You should check for rough spots in your leader often, since it is in, on, and around rocks constantly. If you have a rough spot change your leader immediately!!!! Don't forget to check your mainline for knicks and wear near your sliding weight. Your leader should never be shorter than twelve inches in length and preferably 16-18 inches long. Cowlitz river anglers use a 4 ft leader while side drifting (boon doggin).
(References: www.steelheader.net)
Salmon Fishing in Lake Michigan
There are several different types of salmon stocked in Lake Michigan by the states surrounding the lake. In the past few years, there has also been significant natural reproduction of the salmon occurring in several rivers and streams that flow into Lake Michigan. Fishing for salmon in Lake Michigan can be done from spring to fall.
Chinook or King Salmon |
|---|
 Chinook or King Salmon, originally from the Pacific Ocean, have been stocked in Lake Michigan for the past 30 years. There is now significant natural reproduction occurring in several streams and tributary rivers. The Chinook generally spawn during the months of September thru October in Lake Michigan. Fishing for Chinook from shore and in the tributary streams and rivers generally take place in the fall from late August thru October. Fishing for Chinook by trolling from a boat generally takes place from May thru October. |
Coho or Silver Salmon |
 Coho or Silver Salmon, originally from the Pacific Ocean, have been stocked in Lake Michigan for the past 40 years. There is also natural reproduction occurring in several streams and tributary rivers. The Coho generally spawn during the month of October in Lake Michigan. During the winter months large schools of Coho migrate to the southern tip of Lake Michigan following large schools of bait fish. As spring starts to warm the lake water, the schools of bait fish and Coho migrate north along the shoreline till warm water temperatures in June force the bait and Coho to disperse to the cooler deep water in the lake. During the spring migration, Coho can be caught casting lures from shore. Fishing for spawning Coho from shore and in the tributary streams and rivers takes place in the fall from September thru October. Fishing for Coho by trolling from a boat generally takes place from February (in the southern tip of the lake) thru October. |
Pink Salmon |
 Pink Salmon, originally from the Pacific Ocean, have never been officially stocked in Lake Michigan. In the 1950's, Pink salmon were introduced into Lake Superior. The Pink salmon have established spawning colonies in numerous tributaries and the St Mary's River which connects Lake Huron and Lake Superior. Lake Huron and Lake Michigan are at the same level above sea level and are connected. The Pink salmon spawn during odd numbered years in northern streams and rivers. Occasionally, Pink Salmon migrate into Lake Michigan. These fish are generally mistaken for juvenile Chinook by fishermen. |
Atlantic Salmon |
 Atlantic Salmon, originally from the Atlantic Ocean, were stocked in Lake Michigan up until the 1990's. The Atlantic salmon have established spawning colonies in several tributaries of Lake Huron and the St Mary's River which connects Lake Huron and Lake Superior. Lake Huron and Lake Michigan are at the same level above sea level and are connected. The Atlantic salmon spawn from mid June thru August in northern streams and rivers. Occasionally, Atlantic salmon migrate into Lake Michigan.( References: www.lakemichiganangler.com) |
Fishing Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is the third largest of the Great Lakes and the sixth largest lake in the world.Bordered by Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin it is the only one of the Great Lakes that lies completely within the borders of the United States. Lake Michigan's surface is approximately 580 feet above sea level, with a surface area of 22,300 square miles. Lake Michigan is 307 miles long and 118 miles wide with 1,660 miles of shoreline consisting largely of sand and pebble beaches. Lake Michigan averages 279 feet deep and reaches 925 feet at its deepest part.
Lake Michigan supports a wealth of biological diversity, including many plant and animal species found nowhere else in the world. Sand dunes, marshes, tallgrass prairies, savannas, and forests provide the essential habitats for this diversity of life. Lake Michigan has the largest sport fishery on the Great Lakes. The Trout, Salmon, Walleye, and Smallmouth Bass fisheries are world class. Please review the information and fishing regulations for each state, since each of the individual states control their own fishing regulations and the regulations may vary slightly from state to state.
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Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Steelhead Trout
Other Names: steelie, sea-run rainbow.
Although steelheads are often thought to be a separate species, they are merely an anadromous form of rainbow trout, and share the same scientific name. There are no major differences between the two, although their appearance is different due to environment and food. Steelheads are rainbow trout that migrate to sea and return to their natal stream or river to spawn. They are similar to Pacific Salmon but are separated by their having 8 to 12 rays in the anal fin.
Steelheads are indigenous to the Pacific coasts of North America and Asia, and have been successfully introduced to inland lakes, especially the Great Lakes. In freshwater they live in lakes and migrate to tributaries when spawning. They have spawned the most successfully of any introduced trout or salmon. Steelheads in either environment share similar patterns of behavior.
There has also been some confusion in calling steelhead and rainbow “trout”. They were classified as trout until the late twentieth century. They were then reclassified as being a part of the Pacific salmon genus. But, unlike Pacific salmon, steelhead and rainbow have 8 to12 rays in the anal fin, typically survive multiple spawning runs and return to sea thereafter.
Steelheads are considered a great challenge for fishermen, both in lakes and streams. It is athletic and can reach fairly large sizes and is a strong fighter. Commercial fishing also go after steelhead. Its meat is orange or red and is sold both fresh and frozen.
Appearance
Steelheads are usually thinner than rainbow trout. They have a blue green shading on their back with dark green or black spots (which also cover the tail). The sides become a silver white and the stomach is white. Steelheads that come in from sea are much shinier. Most of their color is under the silvery outer sheen. The longer they stay in freshwater getting ready to spawn, the more they begin to look like other native rainbow trout.Steelhead and rainbow don’t have the red slash under the jaw that cutthroat trout do, but do have white edges on the anal, pectoral and pelvic fins. Steelheads that are spawning develop a pink stripe like their rainbow counterparts. Once they’re done spawning, they return to their more silvery color. The change in coloration is important in both freshwater and the ocean.
Young steelheads are identical to rainbow before going to the ocean. They have 8 to 13 parr marks on their sides. Before making their way to the ocean, steelhead smolts look like small adults.
Size and life span:
Steelheads are much larger than their rainbow counterparts and can get to be over 40 pounds. The sport record is a 42 pounder caught in Alaska. They usually weigh between 5 and 12 pounds. They can live for up to 8 years and return to rivers when they are five or six.Range:
Originally, steelheads were found in North America from the
Kenai Peninsula in Alaska to Mexico’s Baja Peninsula and in coastal rivers.
There are significant populations in Northern California, Oregon, Washington,
southern Alaska and British Columbia. Man caused environmental changes have been
hard on the populations. Steelheads are also indigenous to the Asian Pacific and
have been transplanted to the Great Lakes of North America. Here, their
population is maintained by hatcheries. They have also been transplanted to
other bodies of water in North America, as well as other continents.Lifecycle and typical behaviors:
Steelheads have a much more difficult life than rainbow trout, due to their migration to the ocean. In Alaska, only five or ten steelheads return for every 100 that go to the ocean.In one to three years, steelheads migrate out of their natal streams. Steelheads are known to travel thousands of miles. For example, one was tagged in the Aleutian Islands and recovered 2,200 miles away in the Wynoochee River of Washington state. They also migrate from Alaska to the Aleutian Islands and can be caught off the coast of Japan.
Most steelheads come back to the rivers in the fall and enter freshwater systems from August to winter. There are some spring-run populations that come to the rivers April through June. They mix in to the population of rainbow trout in stream. Other populations yet return in July and are called summer steelhead.
Steelheads spawn in the winter and spring. Males can spawn with various females, and males die more often after spawning. Steelhead differ from salmon in that it can spawn more than once, and fish that are bigger than 28 inches long most always have more than one run. After the spawn, they return to the ocean to replenish the strength lost from the journey. Some fish will return to spawn a few months later, but most that return will do so after another winter at sea.
Steelheads typically stay in their natal freshwater stream or river for three years before heading to sea. Because they don’t leave the stream at the same age, return after the same time, or die after spawning, steelhead populations vary greatly in age. Various runs can appear at the same time.
In the Great Lakes and other inland systems, steelheads have a similar life. They move to tributaries from late fall through early spring and spawn in late winter or early spring. Summer-run steelheads appear at the mouth of the tributaries in summer months.
Eating Habits:
When in the sea, steelheads eat squid, crustaceans and small fish. In lakes they eat baitfish. They refrain from eating during the spawn.(Reference: www.salmonfishingnow.com)
Pink Salmon
Other Names: humpback salmon, humpy, fall salmon, pink, humpback; French: saumon rose; Japanese: karafutomasu, sepparimasu.
Average lifespan in the wild: Fixed 2 years
Size: Up to 30 in (76.27 cm)
Weight: upt to 12 lbs (5.5 kg)
Did you know? Pink salmon are also called Humpies because of the large hump in front of the dorsal fin which appear on males as they are nearing the spawning grounds.
The scientific name for a Pink Salmon is Oncorhynchus gorbuscha.
Most sport fisherman consider them the least desirable of the salmon species because of their mild flavor, small size and limited ablitly to give a good fight when on the end of the line. Pink salmon have a strong smell on them as they come out of the water and can be recognized easily by their large oval spots on the back and tail. Pink salmon have a very high content of Vitamin B12 and Niacin.
Pink salmon hold a great significance commercially in Alaskan fishing communities. It is the smallest of the Pacific salmon. It is somewhat valued as a sport fish, but not quite as much as coho or chinook. It’s meat is pink and is usually canned, but can also be eaten fresh, smoked or frozen. The meat is best when the fish are in open water, since it starts to deteriorate once the fish go to the rivers.
Appearance:
Pink salmon are also known as humpback or humpy because of its humped back that develops in males before spawning. It also develops a kype (hooked upper jaw).
While at sea, pink salmon are silvery with a bright
metallic blue upper half. It has several black oval spots on its upper half as
well. Upon spawning, males have pink sides with brown or olive colored blotches.
Females become olive on their upper side and have a pale underside. Young pinks
have deeply embedded scales and lack parr marks that are typical to other salmon
species.Size and lifespan:
Pink salmon average between 3 and 6 pounds, and are 20-25 inches long. They can reach up to 15 pounds and 30 inches. The sport record is a 13 pound, 1 ounce fish from the Great Lakes in Canada.Range:
Pink are indigenous to the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, Bering Sea, Sea of Japan and Okhotsk Sea. To the south, they are found to the Sacramento River in California and down to Kyushu in the Sea of Japan. In the north, they are distributed from the Arctic Ocean to the Mackenzie River in Canada. To the west, it ranges to the Lena River in Siberia, as well as eastern Korea. Pink salmon are most abundant in British Columbia and Alaska. Alaska depends on the pink salmon for sustaining the commercial fishing industry.Pink salmon have been transplanted to several areas of the world. In Newfoundland and in Lake Superior, they have been able to retain populations. Pink salmon have also been reported in Nova Scotia and Quebec. They were accidentally introduced to Lake Superior and have maintained a breeding population.
Habitat:
Pink salmon spend 18 months at sea and then typically return to their natal stream or river, although they’ve been known to go to non-natal rivers as well. They travel between 40 and 70 miles inland.Life cycle and typical behaviors:
Most pink salmon mature in 2 years, so odd and even years are basically unrelated. Odd or even year cycles are dominant in some areas, but are about even in others. Cycles also can take turns at dominance.Spawning:
Pink salmon have the nickname autumn or fall salmon since they have late spawning runs; typically between July and mid-October in Alaska. Females dig nests (redds) and lay hundreds to thousands of eggs. The eggs hatch between December and February. Juveniles become ready for swimming to the ocean soon after they hatch and return with chum and sockeye. They are known to hybridize with chum easily. Adults die shortly after spawning.
Eating habits:
Young pink do not typically eat, but eat insects when they do. Ocean-dwelling pink eat plankton, crustaceans, small fish and squid. They do not eat on their return to their natal streams for spawning.(Reference: www.salmonfishingnow.com)
Chum Salmon
Other Names: calico salmon, dog salmon, fall salmon, autumn salmon, chum, keta;
French: saumon keta; Japanese: sake, shake.
Average lifespan in the wild: 2 to 5 years
Size: Up to 38.5 in (98.7 cm)
Average Weight: 7 to 14 lbs(3.2 to 6.4 kg), World Record: 35 lbs
Did you know? Chum salmon head straight for the ocean after leaving the gravel nest.
Their scientic name is Oncorhynchus keta.
Chum salmon are very abundant among the salmon species, however they are not targeted much by sport fisherman except when they come back close to the river after the other species of salmon have spawned. Chum are generally seen as a hard fighting salmon for its size. Sometimes while fishing Chinook, people think they have a good size Chinook on and reel in a Chum much smaller than what they anticipated.
Chum travel in large schools when getting close to the river and can make some great fishing for sportsman. They usually spawn in 3-5 years and spawn around November. They are the last of the salmon to spawn. There is a large commercial fishery for Chum around the river mouths to get their roe. Chum salmon don’t taste quite as good as other salmon, however, their roe is seen as quite a delicacy and is sold mostly to Japan for caviar.
Due to the fact that chum salmon have late spawning runs, they are not considered a very popular sportfish. They are usually caught accidentally by fishermen angling for other Pacific salmon. In Alaska it serves as an important source of fresh and dried meat for consumption. In other places it is not a desirable food, as compared to other Pacific salmon. It’s popular name, dog salmon, comes from the fact that Native Americans use it commonly as dog food.
A chum’s meat is white, pink or yellowish and does not have a very high fat content. It is sold fresh, frozen, dried, salted, smoked or canned. It had been commercially raised in Russia and used as dog food in Canada. Japan and Northern Europe have increased their demand for fresh and frozen chum.
Appearance:
Chum are slender and compressed in their ocean-dwelling phase, and are a greenish blue metallic color on their back, silvery on the sides and black speckled on their upper sides and back.
It is difficult to distinguish chum from sockeye and coho,
which are similar in size. Chum differ in that they have a distinct gill raker
pattern: they have fewer but larger ones than other salmon.Size:
Chum range between 4 and 30 pounds, but average between 10 and 15 pounds, with females typically being smaller. They can reach 40 inches. The sport fishing record was a 35 pound fish caught in British Columbia. They can live up to seven years.Range:
Chum have the greatest range of all Pacific salmon. They are indigenous to the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, Bering Sea, Sea of Japan and Okhotsk Sea. To the south, they are found to the Sacramento River in California and down to Kyushu in the Sea of Japan. In the north, they are distributed from the Arctic Ocean to the Mackenzie River in Canada. To the west, it ranges to the Lena River in Siberia. Even though the Chum’s range is great, they are mostly in British Columbia, Washington and Oregon. Chum salmon head to the estuaries(where the river meets the ocean) before heading out to sea.Life cycle and typical behaviors:
Chum are anadromous and can live in both salt and fresh water. There are a few landlocked freshwater populations.Chum are sexually mature right as they enter streams, and so stay in freshwater for a much shorter time than other Pacific salmon (with the exception of pinks). They typically stay for two or three weeks. Their young do not migrate to sea as quickly as pink salmon. They migrate to saltwater estuaries in schools, and stay close to shore until fall when they move out into open water. Chum and pink salmon hybridize easily.
Spawning:
Spawning occurs when the chum reaches between two and seven years old, with an average age of four. At this point they weigh between five and ten pounds. They have been called autumn or fall salmon due to the fact that they spawn later than most salmon. They enter rivers after mid-June, but end up reaching their spawning area in November or December. At times, there are runs that go in summer and another in fall in the same river. Summer runs contain smaller fish that are less prone to swim as far upstream. Despite this, some runs have been known to go 2,000 miles. Chum and pink salmon spawn in a lot of the same areas; usually small streams and intertidal zones. Chum salmon like a medium water flow on shallow medium sized gravel to spawn. The female typically lays between 2,400 and 3,100 eggs in their nests (redds). All chum die shortly after spawning.
Males in the spawning phase turn olive green or gray; on the sides, they are red with vertical green or purple stripes; from this it gets its nickname “calico salmon” It develops the hooked snout, common to all Pacific salmon. Males in the spawning phase develop big teeth. Females in the spawning stage look very similar to males, except less vivid, and have a dark line along the lateral sides. Juvenile chum are slender and have between 6 and 14 parr marks.
Eating habits:
Young chum feed on plankton and insects. Ocean-dwelling chum eat herring, pilchard, sand lance, squid and crustaceans. Adults stop eating once they reach fresh water.(Reference: www.salmonfishingnow.com )
Sockeye Salmon
Other Names: sockeye, red salmon, silver salmon; French: saumon nerka; Japanese: beni-zake, himemasu.
The landlocked form is called kokanee salmon, Kennerly’s salmon, kokanee, landlocked sockeye, kickininee, little redfish, silver trout; French: kokani.
Average lifespan in the wild: 3 to 5 years
Size: Up to 33 in (84 cm)
Weight: 5 to 15 lbs (2.3 to 7 kg)
Did you know? Sockeye salmon meat gets its color from the orange krill they eat while in the ocean.The name sockeye comes from a poor attempt to translate the word suk-kegh from British Columbia’s native Coast Salish language. Suk-kegh means red fish.
Sockeye Salmon can also called “red” salmon because of the very red meat. They also turn red while going up the rivers to spawn., They range in size from 24 to 33 inches (60 to 84 centimeters) in length and weigh between 5 and 15 pounds (2.3 to 7 kilograms). Their rich taste is considered by many to be tops among salmon.
Sockeye Salmon are born in fresh water streams and rivers but unlike other species of salmon, spend their first few years growing in lakes. Once in a while lake water turns over from top to bottom. This can produce very acidic water and can make a poor survival rate. After growing in lakes, Sockeye journey out to sea and, growing rapidly, feed mainly on zooplankton. They usually stay in the ocean from one to four years.
During most years Sockeye Salmon are the third in number and provide a great fishery for both commercial and sports fishing.
Sockeye are anadromous, and can adapt to live entirely in fresh water. Freshwater sockeye were once considered to be a unique species, but were later proven to be identical to their sea-run counterparts. Sockeye can be found in drainages of the Pacific Ocean and have been stocked into several other waters. Although they can be caught, they aren’t usually aggressive at taking baits. So, they are more prized for food than for fishing.
The name sockeye comes from a mispronunciation of a coastal indian word suk-kegh, meaning medium salmon. As with other Pacific salmon, sockeye return from the sea to spawn in freshwater, but only enter rivers with lakes at their headwaters. Sockeye have held an important cultural significance in Native American culture. They remain a significant food source, but due to man caused changes to the environment, there has been an overall decline in population, with the loss of some specific runs. The population in the Pacific Northwest outside Alaska especially has suffered.
Sockeye meat is red and high in oil. It is also the most valuable Pacific salmon. It’s considered a great meat fresh, smoked, canned, salted or frozen.
Appearance:
Sockeye are the slimmest and most streamlined of the
Pacific salmon. They have a back and head that are metallic green blue silvery
on the sides and white or silver on the belly. There can be some speckling, but
there are no large spots. Young sockeye have small dark oval parr makrs on their
sides.Size:
Sockeye are usually between 4 and 8 pounds. The sport record is 15 pounds, 3 ounces. Freshwater sockeye are much smaller, not usually reaching over a pound due to low food sources.Range:
The sockeye is native to the northern Pacific Ocean. It is found from Hokkaido, Japan to the Anadyr River in Russia; from the Sacramento River in California, to Point Hope Alaska. Freshwater sockeye exist in Japan, Russia, Alaska and a few western Canadian provinces, and 10 U.S. states.Habitat:
Sockeye are anadromous, and live both in fresh and salt water. They mainly go back to rivers with a lake at its headwaters. They may live in lakes for up to 4 years before returning to the ocean.Life cycle and typical behaviors:
Sockeye usually spend between one and four years in the ocean before returning to spawn in their home stream. Fish that return after only one year are usually male and are called jacks. They return during the summer or fall. Their runs don’t vary much on timing. Freshwater sockeye spawn August through February, and sea-run sockeye between July and December.Eggs hatch in the winter, and the alevins live off their yolk sac until early spring. Then they enter the fry stage and come out of the gravel. In lake systems, the young stay between one and three years in the system before heading out to sea as smolts. If there are no lakes, most young head for the ocean once they come out of the gravel.
Spawning:
When they have entered their home stream, sockeye use their sense of smell to lead them back to their spawning grounds. They spawn at the headwaters just below the lake or in the lake itself. The female digs a nest (redd) with her tail and lays her eggs. One or several males swim beside her and fertilize them as she deposits them. The female then covers the eggs with gravel, while the males protect the nest. A female can produce between 2,000 and 4,500 eggs. They die soon after spawning.
Spawning sockeye have a humped back and hooked jaws with sharp teeth. All sockeye turn red, either light or dark, on the back and sides; have an olive or pale green head, and a white lower jaw. This completely red body makes it different than chum salmon, and the lack of spots sets it apart from the rest of the Pacific salmon. Another feature that distinguishes the sockeye from the chum is the shape of gill rakers on the first gill. Sockeye have 28 to 40, and chum have 19-26.
Eating habits:
In freshwater, sockeye rarely eat, although some young will feed on plankton and insects. Ocean-dwelling sockeye feed on plankton, crustacean larvae, small fish, and sometimes squid. Freshwater sockeye feed on plankton, insects and organisms found on the bottom of the body of water.(Reference: website: www.salmonfishingnow.com)
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Coho Salmon
Other Names: silver salmon, silversides, hookbill, hooknose, sea trout, blueback; French: saumon coho; Japanese: gin-zake
Average lifespan in the wild: 2 to 4 years
Size: Up to 38.5 in (98.7 cm)
Average Weight: 5 to 12 lbs (2.3 to 5.4 kg), Record 33 lbs
Did you know? The coho salmon was introduced from Pacific waters into the Great Lakes and is now abundant there.
The scientific name for Coho is Oncorhynchus kisutch.
Coho fry live in rivers and streams for over a year. They prefer smaller streams than Chinook and smaller gravel. Coho feed on Zooplankton, insects and small fish while in the river. Oxygen levels and cover are important for survival. Logging close to steams contributes to high mortality, however, now most logging close to streams is controlled. Coho can be found from Russia to Siberia and California up to Alaska.
The coho, a member of the Salmonidae family, can be found in most of the same environments as the chinook salmon. It’s known for its ability to fight in spectacular fashion, acrobatically leaping out of the water. And, like the chinook, it’s a very important sport and commercial fish, especially on the Northwest Coast of North America. It has been important both as food and in American Indian culture.
Coho are anadromous, and can adapt to live entirely in fresh water. They have been successfully transplanted to the Great Lakes of North America. Due to a variety of man-caused environmental changes and overfishing, its populations have declined. Some runs are even on the endangered or threatened list.
Despite their smaller size, they make for a very popular sportfish in all their range. Coho are found on the Pacific coast everywhere chinook are, and in the Great Lakes where their population comes almost entirely from hatcheries. It is caught using a variety of angling: boat fishing, from the bank or wading in rivers.
Anglers find that the coho is more fun to catch on lighter tackle than chinook, although similar methods are used for both. Unlike the chinook that takes the fight to the deep waters, it stays mostly on the surface and takes the battle to the air. But don’t let this fool you, the coho still has a great deal of stamina to fight. Coho meat is red and sold fresh, frozen, canned or smoked.
Appearance:
Coho have a longer body with a conical head. For the better part of its life, its color stays a dark blue or blue/green on the top with silver sides and belly. They also have black spots on their back and on the upper lobe of the caudal fin. Unlike chinook, coho don’t have black spots on the lower lobe of the tail and their gums are white or grey as opposed to black.
Upon returning to fresh water to spawn, coho will have dark
backs and heads, and maroon or red sides. Males develop a double hooked nose
(kype) with large teeth. This prevents the male from closing its mouth.Young coho have 8 to 12 parr marks below and above the lateral line. The adipose fin solidly colored, the anal fin has a long leading edge, usually with a white tip. And all fins usually have an orange tint.
Size:
Most coho are caught between 4 and 8 lbs. The sport record was caught out of the Great Lakes and weighed in at 33 pounds 4 ounces. Some have been caught in Alaska that reached 31 pounds, but the average is 8 to 12 pounds and 24 to 30 inches long. Due to the fact that coho are strong fighters anyhow, when they reach sizes above 15 pounds, they become a big challenge to fishermen.Range:
Coho are native to most of the Pacific rim. On the Asian side, they range from northern Japan to the former USSR. In North America, they range from southern California to the tip of Alaska. The highest population is found on the coast of British Columbia, Canada and Alaska. They have also been found as far south as Baja California, Mexico.Coho have been introduced into the Great Lakes and freshwater lakes in Alaska and the west coast of the U.S. They’ve also been introduced to Maine, Maryland, and Louisiana in the U.S. as well as Alberta, Canada; Argentina and Chile. Coho do not typically spawn successfully in the transplanted areas, with an exception of the Great Lakes around Michigan. Great Lakes coho are maintained through stocking.
Life cycle and typical behaviors:
As with all Pacific salmon, coho are anadromous. They are hatched in rivers; spend most of their life in the ocean and return to spawn in their rivers of origin. Freshwater coho that have been transplanted hatch in tributaries migrate out to lakes and return to the rivers to spawn. All coho spend their first year of life in the stream where they are hatched.Runs back to the rivers vary in timing. In Alaska, coho return between July and November. In California, most runs occur between September and March, and spawning occurs November to January. Great Lakes coho return to streams from August to October. Running times reflect specific factors, such as barrier falls that can only be passed at certain times of the year. It is also regulated by the temperature at spawning grounds: low temperature eggs develop slowly and cause an early run time, while warmer waters cause a late run.
Eggs will usually hatch in early spring. Embryos remain and develop in the gravel, consuming their egg sac. Fry emerge to live in shallow stream margins and once old enough, defend their territory. They live in ponds, lakes, pools in rivers and streams in a quiet and calm area. There they hunt insects.
In fall, young coho travel to locate an off-channel habitat to pass the winter. Coho vary in the amount of time they spend at sea. Jacks are males who have matured and return after 6 months. At this stage, they are usually 12 inches long. But most coho stay 18 months before their return to the stream.
Scientists are still unsure about the coho’s range. It is thought that there are more on the Pacific coast of North America than anywhere else. Maturing coho migrate northward in the spring and can be found in the central gulf of Alaska in mid-summer. Later, they move to shore and follow it until they get to their home stream. Coho have been known to travel up to 1,200 miles, although this is rare.
Great Lake coho migrate several miles from their natal river, in search of food and due to changes in temperature. Warmer temperatures drive the fish to the deeper cooler areas of lakes, and feeding fish are also located there.
Spawning:
Male adult sea-run coho return to their streams when they reach 2 or 3 while females return to spawn when they are 3. Coho will not feed during their spawning migration, so they gradually get weaker. During the run, they use their body weight for energy and to produce reproductive cells. Adults hold in pools while they “ripen”, then move to spawning areas. Females deposit eggs in nests made of gravel (also known as redds), which they dig. Eggs laid vary between 1500 and 4500, depending on the size of the female and the run. All coho die after spawning.
Eating habits:
Young coho in freshwater feed on plankton and insects. When they reach the ocean, their diet consists of herring, pilchards, sand lance, squid and crustaceans. Coho that live only in freshwater also eat plankton and insects in their youth and baitfish once they reach maturity (usually alewives and smelt). Coho were actually introduced to keep populations of baitfish.(Reference: www.salmonfishingnow.com)
How to Catch Salmon-Freshwater
It is intended only as a starting point, and is not meant to cover every aspect of salmon fishing. After getting your feet wet, a good angler will constantly search for additional information to improve their abilities and skills.
Freshwater salmon fishing can be done from the shore or a boat, and many of the methods can be used either way. Boat fishing affords anglers some opportunities not available to shore anglers.
Drift fishing
Drift fishing is a common method where the angler casts a line upstream, lets the line drift down through the run or pool, and then reels in the line to start the process over again. You can drift fish from the shore or an anchored boat. Generally, the idea is to weight your setup so it bounces along the bottom, touching every foot or so, at approximately the same speed the current is moving. More weight will slow down the speed at which your bait drifts downstream and less weight will speed up the drift. The usual strategy is to work the entire run from the shore closest to you to the shore furthest from you, and from the upstream end of the run (near the end of the riffle) to the downstream end of the run (near the start of the next riffle) (Figure 1). Under crowded conditions, you may simply have to work your way into a line of anglers and fish right where you are, without moving. Cast upstream at a 30-45 degree angle and let your bait bounce along until you reach a 45-30 degree angle downstream. Reel in and do it again. Your goal is to bounce your offering along the bottom until a fish picks it up with its mouth.
Figure 1. Diagram showing standard strategy for salmon fishing a run or drift on a river.
Novice anglers often have trouble telling when a fish has picked up the bait versus when their gear has caught on a rock. Over time, an angler develops a feel for the difference and learns when to set the hook and when to gently coax the gear off of the rocks. When in doubt, set the hook.
Typical drift fishing gear includes an 8 ½ or 9 foot rod rated for 15-30 pound line, and either a bait casting reel or a spinning reel. For larger fish, like chinook salmon, use 20-25 pound line. For smaller fish, like pink salmon, use 10-15 pound line. There are an endless variety of weights, lures, floats, and/or baits that anglers can use. A standard setup for salmon often consists of a snap swivel at the end of the mainline, a leader from 12-48” to a single hook with egg loop, a corky on the line above the hook, and yarn on the hook (Photo 1). For weight, push the snap swivel through a ¾’ long piece of rubber tubing and then push a “pencil” lead into the tubing, or simply push the snap through the parachute cord of a “slinky” weight (Photos 2 and 3). Bait and/or scent can be added to this rig. Salmon roe and sand shrimp are the most popular baits to add to this setup, but many others can also be used. Instead of a corky and yarn setup, you can also substitute a winged bobber (Photo 4) or other drift bobbers, for the corky, or just fish bait alone. The weight and corky setup can also be removed and you can drift with spoons or spinners, bouncing them along the bottom and slowly retrieving them.
 Photo 1. A corky and yarn set up. |
 Photo 2. Two types of weights for drifting. On the left is a pencil lead and rubber tubing setup, on the right is a “slinky” weight. |
 Photo 3. Complete drift fishing set up. |
 Photo 4. Examples of winged bobbers. |
Plunking employs a similar setup to drift fishing, except that the gear is cast into a likely holding area or migratory path, and allowed to anchor in one spot (Photo 5). The gear is then left alone until a fish strikes, or you decide to change gear. Active lures such as winged bobbers, spoon, spinners, or kwikfish are often used when plunking in current. Plunking can be done from shore or an anchored boat.
A very popular lure on the Columbia River is a kwikfish wrapped with a small filet of sardine or other fish (Photo 6). Use an 8½ to 9 foot, extra heavy rod. Your mainline should be 40-60 pound monofilament or spectra. At the end of your mainline, slip your line through the end of a swivel or slider, add 4-6 beads, and then tie to a swivel. Tie 4-6 feet of 40-60 pound monofilament leader to the other end of the swivel and then directly to the duo-lock snap on the kwikfish. Tie an 18-30” piece of 15 pound leader to the slider (or swivel that you ran the mainline through) and attach 1-8 ounces of lead. Most salmon anglers use sizes K13 to K16. Use the larger sizes in slow water and the smaller sizes in faster water.
Photo 5. Plunking from anchored boats. |
 Photo 6. Kwikfish. |
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Thin bladed spoons can be plunked on lighter, or medium action, rods in smaller rivers or slower water (Photos 7 and 8). The size of the spoon is matched to the depth and current speed where it will be fishing. They can be fished with weight and a dropper if necessary, or you can just “flatline” them in shallow water, that is, fish them without any added weight. Thin bladed spoons should be let out behind your boat until you reach the desired location, generally in 4-5 feet of water on the upstream side of a riffle. These spoons work best on lighter lines, around 15 pound test, and if you are fishing without weight, they work best when the line has a belly in it between the water and the tip of rod. Spoons are very effective on pink and coho salmon. Use smaller spoons (½ – 1½”) in pink, white, red, cerise, or combinations for pink salmon. For coho use medium size spoons (2 - 3”) with silver or brass blades that can also be painted. Popular colors are chartreuse, fluorescent pink, and fluorescent orange.
 Photo 7. Thin bladed spoons for pink and coho salmon. |
 Photo 8. Larger thin bladed spoonfor chinook salmon. |
Where in a river to set your gear is a critical element of plunking. On larger rivers, try to set up on an inside curve where any fish migrating up that side have are forced around the point. In smaller rivers, look for tail-outs just upstream of riffles. These are areas that fish will rest in after swimming through the riffles. At low flows in small rivers, stay towards the main current, and look for areas where the current starts to slack up a bit. In larger rivers, or small rivers at high flows, work the edges where the current isn’t too fast. Remember that upstream migrating salmon are looking for the easiest route up the river that offers enough cover that they feel safe from predators. That cover may be deep water, logs, boulders, a bubble curtain, or even the white water in a riffle.
 Photo 9. Slip Bobber. |
Bobber or Float Fishing Bobber or float fishing is often used in situations where water is very slow moving or even stationary, such as in a big eddy or tidewater at slack tide. Rods of 10-12’ are not uncommon for float fishing. Spectra lines are desirable because they don’t stretch and they float. To rig for float fishing, use a sliding float (Photo 9), a swivel, some weight to pull the line through the float, and a 12-24” leader to a bait or lure. A “bobber stop” and small bead are used to set the float at the depth you wish to fish. The bobber stop can be reeled through the rod guides if necessary for easier casting. Bobber stops can be purchased pre-tied, or you can tie your own with 15-30# Dacron using a uni-knot. Very early in the morning, you might find fish suspended off the bottom and will want to set your bobber stop so that your gear is at the depth you think fish are suspended at. Once the sun hits the water, salmon tend to move to the bottom and you should adjust your bobber stop so that your bait or lure is within a foot of the bottom. Serious bobber anglers use a longer rod than drifters or trollers, and switch their mainline to a no-stretch Spectra based line.
When fishing in current, you will need to “mend” the line occasionally. Mending generally means lifting and/or flipping the line so that any belly is removed and the line is then in a straight line between the rod and bobber. The line needs to be mended to ensure a good hookset if the bobber goes down. Spectra based lines float and are therefore easier to mend, and their lack of stretch ensures that all of the hookset is transmitted to the bait or lure. Salmon eggs are the top choice for bait, although sand shrimp are very popular for chinook salmon. Some anglers like to fish both at the same time. Marabou jigs (Photo 10) can be used instead of bait and can be especially effective on pink salmon, or other salmon when the water is very low and clear.
 Photo 10. Maribou and yarn jigs. |
Trolling Trolling consists of fishing out of a constantly moving boat. Trollers will use weights, divers, or downriggers to achieve a desired depth to present their bait or lures. Freshwater trolling for salmon is conducted primarily in the lower ends of larger rivers, such as the Columbia River, where incoming tides cause river flows to slow down or even reverse such that the flow is upstream. The standard drift fishing rod equipped with 20-25 pound line can be used for river or bay salmon trolling. Trolling setups are usually comprised of a three-way swivel at the end of the mainline, a 12-36” dropper line and weight off the center of the three way swivel, and a 4-8’ foot leader with twin hooks and a cut plug herring or lure.
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Instead of a cutplug herring, you can also troll spinners (Photo 11), plugs (Photo 12), kwikfish, or bait harnesses (Photo 13).
 Photo 11. Salmon spinners. |
 Photo 12. Salmon plugs. |
 Photo 13. Bait harness. | |
Photo 14. In-line rotating flasher.
Rig the in-line flasher between the three-way swivel and the herring, ensuring that the distance from the swivel to the flasher is longer than the distance of the weight dropper line.
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When fishing for spring chinook, try to stay near the bottom, bouncing your weight often. Fish at the depth your fish finder shows fish for fall chinook and coho. Bottom is always a good bet for chinook. For coho, you may not even need weight for your lures and can sometimes find fish quite close to the surface. Trolling can also be effective in estuaries such as the mouth of the Columbia River (Buoy 10), Willapa Bay, or Grays Harbor, and in extreme terminal marine areas such as the mouth of the Nisqually River.
(Information from:http://wdfw.wa.gov)
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