Coho Salmon

Description

   The Coho Salmon is one of the most popular gamefishes of the Pacific Northwest.  It is exceeded only by the Chinook as the most-caught Pacific salmon.   Also called "Silver Salmon", these fish are generally silver in color, with black spots primarily on the back/top.  They are anadromous, but unlike Chinooks, they stay close to their native freshwater streams.  Coho spend approximately the first half of their life cycle rearing in streams and small freshwater tributaries.  The remainder of the life cycle is spent foraging in estuarine and marine waters of the Pacific Ocean prior to returning to their stream of origin to spawn and die.  Most adults are three-year-old fish, however, some precocious males known as "jacks" return as two-year-old spawners.

They enter these streams beginning in July, spawning in the fall.  Young generally migrate to the sea when a year old, but some go earlier, and many wait until they are 3 years old.  Like Chinook Salmon, they are an important commercial species, but not as exposed to the destructive effects of offshore netting, dams and commercial fishing.  Because it spawns in largest numbers in the smaller coastal streams that do not have hydroelectric dams or are used for irrigation, they are able to "fight progress" better than the Chinook. 

Fly Fishing

    Coho's are commonly caught in saltwater by trolling with herring or other live bait, but spoons and spinning lures also produce in the right situations.   Depending on the location, they may be caught from May through November, with the largest fish coming in early fall.  Fishing during tide changes can be effective, and even surface flies, trolled or cast, can provide fast-action for these feisty fish.   In that the schools of fish most often are on the move, a boat capable of keeping up is a big advantage.  Tackle needs to be stout enough to handle big water, big flies and big fish, as well as presenting both surface and subsurface imitations.   Although a non-feeder when in freshwater streams, Coho can be fine sport on sinking tackle and proven patterns.