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Chinook

17 (29.3%)

Chum

3 (5.2%)

Coho

31 (53.4%)

Sockeye

6 (10.3%)

Pink

1 (1.7%)

Total Members Voted: 56

[Tee]

Just curious to learn what you opinion and experience are for the different salmon species and steelhead when fishing for them in the river. There have been some discussions and comparisons on the power of the fish (which one fights the hardest), but I think the issue here is how the fish fight.

Assuming you are using the same gear setup (fly, bait, spinner, spoon, etc.), and fishing the same run or pool.

IMO, Coho remains to be the most challenging fish to land once hooked due to the soft and subtle take on your presentations, famous coho rolls and sudden change in run directions.

Look forward to your experience on this.

Thanks,

[devon42]

steelhead only becuase ive never landed one  ..... YET!

[Tee]

I've just realized there no option for Steelhead, but I thought I did include it in the poll.

Mod...can you please help add the option? I do not know how to.

Many thanks,

[Floater]

steelhead only becuase ive never landed one  ..... YET!

I feel your pain must be 20 plus trips for me.

[burnaby]

Pound for pound for Salmon gonna be Coho. The jumps, twist and ricochet bullet moves sure are fun.

[DanTfisherman]

I have found the Steelhead are usually the easiest to land once hooked.

Coho can be somewhat tricky.  Not sure about the "soft, subtle" takes, aspect.  I have found with the fly and the colorado blade that they hit very hard and are distinctive.

The hardest one for me to land seems to be Chinooks.  Many different variables at play here.  I find they are the strongest and usually, the hardest to tire.  For this reason, many chances for them to escape.

Dano

[Justin]

I would have to say coho are the hardest to land with steelhead coming in a close second. 

The "Coho Roll" is the ultimate hook spitting action.  Last year I lost many and only beached one.

Justin

[FlyFishin Magician]

I have found the Steelhead are usually the easiest to land once hooked.

Coho can be somewhat tricky.  Not sure about the "soft, subtle" takes, aspect.  I have found with the fly and the colorado blade that they hit very hard and are distinctive.

The hardest one for me to land seems to be Chinooks.  Many different variables at play here.  I find they are the strongest and usually, the hardest to tire.  For this reason, many chances for them to escape.

Dano

I agree.  Coho hit flies pretty deliberately.  But with roe - the "strike" can be very subtle to the point where the float barely "flinches".  I find roe fishing for coho analagous to chironomid fishing with an indicator when detecting the strike.  Never take your eyes off that indicator...or float!!

Back to the original question - I find all have their special challenges.  Coho - with their jumping, rolling, and "spaz-like" fight, Chinook with their shear power (esp. in big water), Pinks with their soft mouths...and on it goes.  I find if you keep tension on the line, and keep the rod tip up, that's all you can do.  Putting the "boots" to a big fish like a Chinook (e.g. angling the rod to turn the fish) is risky, but sometimes necessary.  I guess that's why it's called fishing and not catching!

Overall, considering all factors, I find coho the hardest to catch.  I guess I'm including the coho's shy nature as they tend to become spooked and skiddish.  But as for "landing" failures, I find them all pretty much equal.

[typhoon]

Chum-bums for me.
Pound for pound the strongest fighters plus they come in extra large size. They'll jump, they'll dog it deep and I usually hook them while fishing for Coho (not using tackle for Chinooks).
I hook more, but I also lose more.

[Tee]

Thanks all for sharing.

[Matt]

Coho roll seems to be the best method of spitting the hook yet invented.  Landed 5/6 of the steelhead I've hooked.  Of the last 10 coho I've hooked, I've landed 2 maybe...  Didn't really pay attention to sockeye, chum or pinks.

[bluenoser]

I'm 1 for 8 with chinook over the past few years, never seem to be able to keep them from wanting to head back to the sea.

[Richmond]

sockeye was tough, if you were averaging 50% you were doing good. soft mouths and light bites.
rearly loose chinook or coho.

[Tee]

Bump to the top.

[Dennis.t]

Dont fish coho anymore...back in the day when there were tons around,i found them hard fighters second to none.Steelhead can be very challenging to land ,some seasons i lose a bunch in a row before i land one.Other times i will land more then i lose, its just the way it goes!