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[CohoOn!]

Well I had to make a run out to Chilliwack for a brief bit of business in the mornin and took a look at the Wack and it was still pretty colored so gave it a pass. Weather was sunny so decided to
check out the Chehalis for the first time this year. Headed in below the hatchery so not sure what the river was like up there but the lower was quite clear and low. Bushwacked around for an hour and saw a couple of guys that didn't appear to have anything but most of the channels were full of chum. Didn't see any coho amongst them and very few deeper spots where they would normally be holding so I decided I was going to pack it in and head to Suicide. On the way out I ended up coming out lower down then I had started and there in front of me was a fork in the river with a big fallen tree and a nice dark deep shaded pool where the roots of this big tree used to be. Someone else had fished that hole from the other side and had lost their silver colorado with a goey bob to a branch I was standing next to so if that was you then you know where I'm talking about and I've retrieved your gear. 
Decided to put the rod together and give it a go and first cast coho on! 
Only thing is it turned out to be a wild tomato  but was a nice fight all the same. Hadn't seen any red coho on the Wack over the past five weeks so I was thinking that maybe the Chehalis was already shot for coho but next cast I hook into a chrome chrome coho that just goes crazy and I start reeling it in and can't get any tension on the line and realize my spinning reel bale had not returned all the way and so it wasn't taking up any line. That was all that coho needed to promptly spit the hook.  In true coho fashion that was all the chances they gave me at that hole so I decided to check out further down on that tributary and played 3 more chromers in the next couple of hours but managed to lose all of them    and couldn't blame the reel those times just some of the feistiest coho I have played this fall. So the knife didn't get used today but it did fall out of it's sheath while i was bushwhacking and thought I'd have to go for one long hike to find it but luckily it was just about 30 feet back from where I had realized it was missing.
The coho were all in the 6 pound range so nothing like the larger ones we saw on the Wack this fall and just found the odd ones in amongst  numerous chum below debris piles in the deeper slower water. Not sure if it's worth the trip there again as Suicide seemed to be getting better returns in my mind.
Cheers!
     

[SeaRun]

Hi CohoOn,

I've never seen the Chehalis like this before...went a few weeks ago and did not see a single fish including chum!      I started river fishing in the early 80's and fished the Chehalis before the hatchery began production.   Use to be a lot better back then with fewer anglers and more fish.   This year seems to be the worst year so far, same report from other anglers I talked to.    I think you are right about Suicide Cr., probably a better bet although it has changed especially with the huge ponds above the rail bridge.   Anglers were getting fish on the weekend.  Tight lines!   

[Headshake]

We tried to go to the same spot that was producing well last week, and came up empty. The higher water on the mainstem made the river a coho Highway and they didn't seem to stop anywhere. Too bad, cause last week it was pretty good. This week was dismal. What a difference a week makes.

[CohoOn!]

With regard to some people being worried about the chum returns, if you hike down close to Harrison Bay on the side channels it looks like a war zone of chum carcassess. Just seemed like a huge number spawned out in the lower regions maybe before the water came up.

[armytruck]

I had a good day Saturday   

[MERC]

With regard to some people being worried about the chum returns, if you hike down close to Harrison Bay on the side channels it looks like a war zone of chum carcassess. Just seemed like a huge number spawned out in the lower regions maybe before the water came up.

On the other hand, you have to look at other river systems like the Squamish/Mamquam, or even the Vedder.  Normally, those river systems are polluted with chum salmon.  One of the reasons why we've had such a good coho year in the Vedde is the lack of chum that would normally push the coho out of the prime holding spots and make them hard to find.  Personally, I think that's a reason to be concerned. 

[CohoOn!]

With regard to some people being worried about the chum returns, if you hike down close to Harrison Bay on the side channels it looks like a war zone of chum carcassess. Just seemed like a huge number spawned out in the lower regions maybe before the water came up.

On the other hand, you have to look at other river systems like the Squamish/Mamquam, or even the Vedder.  Normally, those river systems are polluted with chum salmon.  One of the reasons why we've had such a good coho year in the Vedde is the lack of chum that would normally push the coho out of the prime holding spots and make them hard to find.  Personally, I think that's a reason to be concerned. 

I was simply addressing concerns raised in a previous posting about someone not seeing any chum returning to the Chehalis. As I mentioned, the other day I saw in the lower reaches more chum than I have ever seen in years past. If you have concerns about the chum returns in the Squamish/Mamquam sorry I can't give you any feedback as I haven't fished them. 

[kingpin]

there are plenty of chum in the chehalis, there everywhere. the vedder has had a decent amount as well.

[CohoMan]

It depends on where you are fishing I guess. I fished the One Way bridge and down to the Camp Ground and did not see a single Chum. That was just surprising because in years past, one wouold see them everywhere close to shore.

[armytruck]

fishonsteelheader had a good day  Sunday on his birthday . Nice little gift too ! 

[coryandtrevor]

there are plenty of chum in the chehalis, there everywhere. the vedder has had a decent amount as well.

YUP,

We were in the delta on Saturday and there were Chums everywhere. Hundreds and hundreds of em. They are all zombies and stink to high hell. Didnt see one chromer. Had a few bites but nothing to show for it at the end of the day. Got to bushwack through solid trees and branches for an hour or so as well till we found one of the main arms again. Good Times !