Hood Canal Chum, 11/1

Headed down there on Sunday... could hit around the hatchery, or maybe Oakland bay.

Anyone interested?

Noggin Yakker and I are heading down to Oakland Bay tomorrow. See you there.

Z

I'll be heading up the Canal either this afternoon or tomorrow morning. Be casting from shore, though,  as I won't have much time to mess with launching, etc. Only have a couple hours max to fish. I know a few spots and creek mouths to check out N of Hoodsport, so I can avoid the zoo scene. They get their little crowds at times, too, but nothing like the Hoodsport zoo. I need room to flail 60' of flyline.

Got on the water w/ NogginYakker and his newb buddy and didn't see too much activity but slowly more and more fish were jumping. Couldn't tell what they were but looked chromey so we got to casting. And casting. And casting. They were showing a good deal of lockjaw until NY got a hookup. He landed it and we got down to the ID.. coho. Ahhhh, now it all made sense. Continued to cast but to no avail. NY had the hot stick and hooked up two more times. I'll let him fill in the details. MattK showed up w/ a few friends and after a few hours of drifting bait were over it and decided to head to greener pastures. Couldn't blame 'em. NY & Co. were all done for the day and headed out as well. Being the stubborn bastard that I am I was determined to get those coho to bite. Since the current was now really moving I switched to a smaller presentation and put on a Dick Nite spoon w/ a light drifting set up. Drifted it through the holes tons of times w/ no takers. OK, I knew where they were and they wouldn't voluntarily take my offerings so it was time to piss 'em off, back trolling time. Put on a sardine wrapped Kwikfish and got up current. Pedaled into the current so I was sitting still and let out the gear. Then slowly backed it right through the hole and WHAM. First was a beefy coho but well colored so released. Went back to try again and WHAM. Chromey 25" hen w/ fresh sea lice gets the wood shampoo. One more time for the RBI win and WHAM. Chromey 24.75" hen gets the shampoo as well and the day's limit is done. Long day but not a bad one in the end. The weather did not disappoint and the paddle back was a good time.

Z

Nicely Done Zee!!!  That's some serious chrome for November.  Way to figure out the winning approach.

Hey Noggin Yakker, don't you know that horizontal stripes are for Nancy Boys?   
Way to score my friend! 

-Spot-

The back on Karl's coho looks a lot like a Pink.  Is that just being caused by the lighting in the picture, or is that from the spawning change? 

Gotta love a COHO surprise when you started your day with CHUM on your minds.  Nicely done guys, and way to adapt!!!

-Allen

The back on Karl's coho looks a lot like a Pink.  Is that just being caused by the lighting in the picture, or is that from the spawning change? 

Looks pretty coho typical to me ... spawning change.

-Allen

Thanks guys. The fish smoking in the backyard will make up for the lost WAF I spent since I was on the water all day.

The back on Karl's coho looks a lot like a Pink.  Is that just being caused by the lighting in the picture, or is that from the spawning change? 

Looks pretty coho typical to me ... spawning change.

-Allen

Yep. They do get that way when they start to spawn. Here's the full spawning model.


Z

I would totally mistake that fish for a pink until I stuck my hand in her mouth. 

Wish I could have tagged along!  My freezer is down to one ziploc of Coho 

I would totally mistake that fish for a pink until I stuck my hand in her mouth. 

Wish I could have tagged along!  My freezer is down to one ziploc of Coho 

You're not going to get that dramatic of a hooknose on a pink.  Also, no oval spots on the tail.

-Allen

Awesome Zee!

Was it really that easy (quick?) once you figured it out?

I might head back out there on Wednesday AM for a morning. Was going to hit the chums again (Hoodsport was fun), but could try your technique if you were really nailing them!

- Matt

Those are some nice November Cohos.  Good for you guys.

Scott

Nice fish and amazing pics!
Way-to-slay 'em!

Great report Zee!!
Love the pic's
Beautiful day and catching fish - can't beat that!!

SD