Coho catches about as good as can be By Bob Brown Anglers fishing the Cowlitz River sure haven't had anything to complain about lately. For the past couple of weeks, boat and bank anglers have been averaging a coho per rod, and when you add the occasional chinook, steelhead and sea-run cutthroat, what more can a fisherman ask for? Samplings taken during Oct. 27-Nov. 2 showed that, including fish released, boat anglers averaged nearly 1.5 adult coho per rod, while bank anglers averaged nearly a fish per rod. Some fall chinook (most were released), summer steelhead, and sea-run cutthroat were also being caught. Bank anglers did best at barrier dam, boat anglers near the I-5 Bridge. During the same period, 256 summer steelhead, 411 chinook and 13jack, 12,528 coho, 569 jacks and 86 sea-run cutthroats were recovered at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery. Joe Hymer of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) said, "In general, adult coho returns to Washington lower Columbia River facilities are up from the past few years, but jack returns are down. Adult coho counts above Bonneville Dam are a new record high (since 1938) and jacks are the fourth highest since 1980. Through October 31, a total of 262, 831 adult and 14,577 jack coho had been counted a Bonneville Dam. The previous record was 259,533 adults in 2001. The record for jacks is 22,204 fish in 1986.GÇ¥ The 2014 lower Columbia mainstem creel sampling program has ended until February 2015. Hymer also said North Fork Lewis River boat anglers have been averaging a coho per rod and bank anglers nearly one per rod when including fish released. Some fall chinook are also being caught, but most are voluntarily released. Some coho are being caught near the mouth by both bank and boat anglers. Klickitat bank anglers on the lower river are having excellent success on adult coho averaging nearly three fish per rod while boat anglers are averaging two fish per rod. Numerous six-limits were being had despite somewhat turbid conditions. The early coho run in the Shookumchuck has been really good, with the fish averaging 10 to 12 pounds. Angler activity has been heavy with most using eggs and yarn on long leaders. Limits are being had. Walt Harvey of Verles Sports in Shelton reported coho and chum are being caught in the Chehalis. Vibrax and Blue Fox spinners with an egg on the bottom have been the preferred bait. Kennedy Creek is seeing a lot of chum angler pressure with corkies and yarn the preferred bait in those waters. Puyallup River is, turbid and so are Nisqually River waters. Other fishing news " WDFW recently stocked over 200,000 large trout in lakes in the Puget Sound area in preparation for the Nov. 28 Black Friday opener, and more are on the way. WDFW plans to release a total of 340.000 trout into western Washington lakes this fall, nearly four times more than were released last fall. Chris Donley, inland fish program manager, said increased bag limits will also be allowed in 20 lakes in Island, King, Snohomish, Thurston, Pacific and Grays Harbor counties, doubling angler catch limits from five to 10 trout in selected lakes. Most of the trout are 11 to 13 inches long, with a few larger ones in the mix. Up-to-date catchable trout weekly stocking information can be found on the department's website. " WDFW is seeking nominations to a citizen advisory group that advises the department on steelhead and anadromous cutthroat management issues. Advisors should have a broad statewide interest in steelhead and cutthroat and must be able to effectively communicate with large segments of the public and clearly articulate their ideas and guidance to department fishery managers. The group will meet approximately four times each year and advisors are asked to provide comment on written material throughout the year. The department will select as many as 15 individuals to serve two-year terms on the Steelhead/Cutthroat Policy Advisory Group, with new terms beginning next January. Current members of the advisory group are encouraged to reapply. Nominations may be submitted to Bob LeLand, WDFW steelhead program manager by mail, 600 Capital Way N., Olympia, WA. 98501-1091: or my email. Nominations must be received by Nov. 30.
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