Upper Willamette Coho

This last Saturday while fishing in a kayak bass fishing tournament (not doing well at catching the winning bass that day sadly.) I managed to hook into a rowdy coho on a crawfish colored crankbait while working a rip rap area under/near a boat house/dock. You can imagine my surprise when it jumped and it was not a personal best smallmouth, but a shiny chrome silver. Fortunately I was able to coax it into my way too small bass net. I wasn't up to date on the regs so I let him swim for another day. While continuing to work that same area I hooked into another one and while I didn't get it into the net it had me thinking if I was just lucky or is there something to this coho run that I'd never heard anyone really talk about. Later in the day I saw a pretty decent amount of fish rolling near an island and while I didn't have time to target them I definitely plan to go back here soon and try for a keeper myself.

I went home and saw an article https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/oregon/2024/09/20/coho-salmon-run-new-fishing-areas-willamette-river/75307203007/
that apparently this years run is set to be historic and quite a doozy for having no hatchery programs still in existence. I saw only a handful of boats targeting salmon on what was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, (although I wasn't fishing the mouths of the rivers.) This may be the perfect opportunity for kayak anglers to get in on a fishery that at least at the time doesn't have a ton of interest.

I have been fishing there for a long time. It can get really good this time of the year and this year looks to be one of the best ever. As a bonus, it is now two rod friendly. Will definitely be out there a evening or two this week.

Perhaps I'll see you out there. I can assume most troll near the mouths of the Tualatin, Mollala or Yamhill mostly?

I only fish at the Tualatin and put in at Willamette Park. The do like the orange wigglers, but I have caught them on a ton of different stuff. It is fun to cast spinners right in the mouth of the Tualatin if it isn't too weedy.

There are so many this year that I might have to give it a shot.

hmmmm may have to give this a shot for an evening or two since this is much closer to home than driving to woodland for Columbia fish.  Do spinners work or is this really a wigglers troll fishery?

hmmmm may have to give this a shot for an evening or two since this is much closer to home than driving to woodland for Columbia fish.  Do spinners work or is this really a wigglers troll fishery?

Beer Run definitely sounds like your man to answer that more so, but if these coho are anything like the others I've caught over the years then just about anything colorful in their face would trigger a bite. I would think trolling spinners would do pretty well for them, fortunately you can use two rods so rig up one of each.

apparently need to bring the bass crankbaits too!

hmmmm may have to give this a shot for an evening or two since this is much closer to home than driving to woodland for Columbia fish.  Do spinners work or is this really a wigglers troll fishery?

Beer Run definitely sounds like your man to answer that more so, but if these coho are anything like the others I've caught over the years then just about anything colorful in their face would trigger a bite. I would think trolling spinners would do pretty well for them, fortunately you can use two rods so rig up one of each.

Years ago, the dude that I learned the area from pulled wigglers pretty much exclusively. I have had luck with those, trolling herring, casting spinners. Most of the folk down there right now are trolling 360s with all the normal gear. Spinners, SpinFish, Brad's whatever. A few are casting spinners inside the mouth of the Tualatin.

So pretty much anything as long as its in front of a fish!

That has usually been my theory with salmon. Biters are biters. I think timing (tides, etc), depth, speed are more important than what is on the end of the line.

That’s my theory too…and why i plunked down on a ton of generic brass, nickel, and black blades and didnt pay a premium for painted local brands…we shall see if it works for me HAH

Well I had planned to hit the water bright and early but a buddy wanted to join and without a kayak, so from the bank we fished. Wasn't expecting much and as such was not super disappointed to not catch anything. Had one jack following my spinner but otherwise no fish caught and none seen netted by the dozen or so boats out. I did however see a kayaker come in with a fish just as we were leaving, hopefully someone on the board here. 

2,000+ per day over the falls 9/21-23 and I am stuck in budget season HELL. Maybe tomorrow afternoon, Friday am. Trolling from the ramp to the deadline above the falls. Bringing the entire tackle box

Work sucks! Good luck!