Fresh coho area 9

[Omega3]

Still solid action in the salt in fact it seems to be getting better with easy limits each outing. I fish a lot and I don't ever remember silvers being this fresh even when they start entering the sound in August let alone in mid-Oct. Most of the fish are losing lots of scales and the skeins are not fully mature which usually indicates active biters which they are. Maybe Tom you can comment from a biologist point of view of why this year is so different. Several fish last week had bait in their stomachs including 2 fish full of coonstripe shrimp. Others were full of bait I have never seen (small looks like a cross between a herring and a shiner perch?). Seems like 90% of the fish are females, just waiting for the big males to follow up which might put is well into Nov.

[cohocrazy]

I'm gonna be out there tommorow. What part of MA-9 have you been fishing?

[Smalma]

Omega3 -
Not speak for biologist Tom I think this continuing good coho fishing is largely due to the robust wild runs of coho expected to the north Sound "S" rivers. I suspect that the vast majority of the coho currently being caught in 9 are unclipped.

While the majority of the hatchery coho are mostly done spawning by late November the wild fish have much wider spawn and run timing. Not uncommon to see wild coho spawning in those "S" river while into the winter and even a few fish into the early spring. With salmon it typically the case that less mature the fish is the better bite it is.

Tight lines
Curt

[Nelly]

Smalma, you can speak for me anytime and thanks for joining the discussion!

Hey O3,
Anytime you have a big run of salmonids entering Puget Sound, there are a bunch of stocks from different streams contributing to reach that "big" number.

Differing stocks all posess unique qualities borne of their genetic variability. A wide range of run timing, size, prefered diet and behavior is a huge competitive and adaptive advantage.

The fact we're seeing coho of all shapes, sizes and descriptions is a wonderful and obviously welcome sign of a healthy Pacific Ocean and a productive Puget Sound.
The fact that the oceanic "groceries" have been that good for the pinks and coho bodes well for our winter steelhead as well. How long has it been since we've seen a solid winter steelie season?

Let's hope and pray that the La Nina winter puts snow in the mountains that stays there until our rivers need the flow in the spring and summer.

No 'Pineapple Expresses" please!!!

[Robbo]

Those baitfish sound like hooligans

[Nelly]

You LOOK like a hooligan!

[kurtmiller]

Smelt maybe?

[Nelly]

There are a ton of smelt hanging outside of Everett and Mukilteo and I'm hoping that they will hold the coho for just one more week...

I'm going for a mid-morning try tomorrow and I'll report back here good or bad!

[Nelly]

Here's the report from today... no coho!

See the saltwater chum report above!

[Omega3]

Looks like they are still coming, check out the latest creel reports from PA.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/creel/puget/ ... insula.htm