I decided to take a break from the Pinks and the recent cold streak due to commercial netting. I have done nothing but catch the odd pink after putting in HOURS of time and losing too many lures, so I did some investigating, driving around, looking for some new places to haunt in the lower mainland in search of Hos. Brought my keen eye and trusty binoculars to find some signs of coho moving around the local estuaries and beaches.
I spotted a couple fins moving around a few more breach the water, so I decided to tie up and have at it, at a couple different spots.
I managed to land and release two wild coho (well, at least they had their adipose in tact, fully). I threw the kitchen sink at them as I knew they were there, but couldn't get them to bite.
Finally an orange Blue Fox (#4) tricked them. None of my usual coho friendly gear was working, but this is a fail safe for almost every species, any light, any water type and (most importantly for me) a lure I have confidence in. They wouldn't touch blue, straight silver, brass etc....notta.
Hard work, a lot of driving, a lot of investigating and even more 'sighting' for fish. Took me a good 6 hours to find these fish, but it feels very satisfying to escape the crowds and seek out new environs.
When I got the first one, I was all alone, so I had to beach it and get it back into the water quickly, hence the crappy pic. On the second fish, a passerby saw I had one on and came down check out the commotion, I got him to to help me out with a picture, I handed him my BlackBerry to take a pic as I gently netted, removed the hook and sent him away. No "hero" shot unfortunately as I didn't want the fish out of the water if I could reasonably avoid it. Boy these Coho put pinks to shame in the fight category. They go freakin BALLISTIC.