Siuslaw Report 9/17

I hit the Siuslaw this afternoon in hopes of catching a coho.  Got to the boat ramp about a quarter to twelve, thats when the paper said high tide would be. I knew the tide would be coming in for at least another hour, and paddled over to the south shore of the river. There were a number of boats already trolling. As soon as I got there, I saw fish jumping. I headed up river trolling a spinner, and about 15 minutes later got my first hookup. Nice fish, too bad is was a native, and I released it. Trolled up river again until the tide changed, and trolled back. The wind had picked up from the west and it got pretty choppy. I debated giving in and heading back to the boat launch, but really wanted to catch a keeper. I need those points! Anyway, as I approached the spot where I got my first fish, Slam, the rod started bouncing again. Another wild fish! It was fun anyway, and these were my first coho from a yak. Here's some photos of the two fish, and the first one swimming away. I had to paddle around in circles for awhile, holding the fish upright, until it took off on it's own. I was off the water by 2:30pm.

Nicely Done Dave!  Those were some beauties!  So the south coast isn't following the north coast's lead and letting you keep a nate this year?

Nice job Dave! 

Nicely Done Dave!  Those were some beauties!  So the south coast isn't following the north coast's lead and letting you keep a nate this year?

As far as I know native coho are open only on 4 rivers: Nehalem, Yaquina, Coos, and Coquille.  So I'd say South and North coast both have a couple rivers open it just that the Siuslaw just isn't one of them.

Beautiful fish GD and nice work. Hooking up with nice salmon like that is awesome. Keep at it, your legal fish will come through. Don't ask me how I know..   

Z

Sounds like a good day to me GD.  The river looked pretty packed when I drove to Mapleton this morning for work. 

I'm really looking forward to fishing Siltcoos when they open it for coho.  Then there won't be a problem with catch and release.  I've always fished it from the bank and done really well.  We should hook up and do some trolling, I'd like to get my first in a yak.

Jason

I can't wait to get back out there again. The biggest problem is the winds in the afternoon. Might have to wait until we get some early morning highs next week. 

The last time I fished salmon in the Siuslaw was in the eighties. Over a period of a couple of years, and many days trolling, I managed to land two coho, similar to the ones I landed today. They were legal then!  When I got back to the dock today, the DFG guy said, "I heard you got a fish!" That was the icing on the cake to a great days fishing! I got the impression he thought I was Crazy! This was after he made a comment about me, "Making it back safely".

Nice job Dave, too bad no clippies. I think coming accross a clipped Coho is gonna be a chalenge for sure...

They are closing wild retention inside the Coos Bay tonight at midnight, tried for one more today but it was crappy..weedy and mucho current...

Picked up 3 more coho today, all wild. I was bummed because the biggest one was longer than the hog trough, and what a fight!

Picked up 3 more coho today, all wild. I was bummed because the biggest one was longer than the hog trough, and what a fight!

Oh Dude....  You're killing me!
Way to nail the fish!  Don't you just love seeing that rod tip dive?

-Spot-

There's nothing better than seeing the rod get slammed. I have been using my 7 ft sealine rod with the Penn 350 on it, the same one I use for bottom fishing. Seems to work perfectly. I thought about using a longer rod, but having one that long seems like it would be hard to manage in the yak. I bought a new net before going out yesterday. It's a Frabill Powr-lock. Works great! easy to extend, just put the hoop over my foot, and pull the handle into place. It takes up very little room stored in the back rodholder, and doesn't act like a sail like the other net I had.

Here's one of the fish today in the new net. The last fish I caught was even bigger! Hopefully a keeper will come along next week when I get out again.

Dave,
Is Chinook closed on the Siuslaw? Please let me know when you plan on trying Siltcoos. I'd love to tag along. Let me know if you want company next time you fish the Siuslaw. My days off are Fri - Sun.
Paul

Paul, the Siuslaw is open to Chinook and fin clipped Coho until Dec 31. Sitcoos opens on Oct. 1st.  I work weekends, but maybe next Friday we can get together if the weather and tides cooperate. I was fishing straight across from the port, so it's a quick paddle to get to the fish.

I thought about using a longer rod, but having one that long seems like it would be hard to manage in the yak.

You know, I've been using a 9' rod for salmon for a few years now and I've really come to like it. With the longer rod it helps a lot moving the salmon around come net time. And that softer tip helps keep the hooks in. I think getting a longer rod with the right action is what makes the difference. The tip has to be bouncy enough to keep your hooks set but a strong enough butt to take over and move the salmon around.

Z

Paul, the Siuslaw is open to Chinook and fin clipped Coho until Dec 31. Sitcoos opens on Oct. 1st.  I work weekends, but maybe next Friday we can get together if the weather and tides cooperate. I was fishing straight across from the port, so it's a quick paddle to get to the fish.

OK, I'll call you later in the week to see if it's a go for Friday. Haven't fished enough lately, looking forward to it!

Zee, keep in mind that your yak is almost 5 ft longer than mine. I do have an 8 1/2 foot spinning rod that I used to use for salmon. I'll give it a try next time I fish. I am new to the whole salmon/kayak experience, so It's going to take some time before I get everything right. Thanks for the expert advice, I appreciate it!