Coho are now the catch on everyone’s mind since Spring Chinook and Steelhead have wound down. After the first rains brought in the enormous pilot run of Coho, the ’09 Coho season has been extended to December 31. The fall rains are pushing lots of chrome Coho into the system.
         As predicted by ODFW, the Coho run this year looks like it will be very large. Anglers are taking advantage of the raised Coho bag limit (three adipose fin clipped Coho) on the Sandy, Clackamas and Eagle Creek.
         Trout season closed on October 31st. Free copies of “50 places to go fishing within 60 minutes of Portland” and “Easy Angling of Oregon” (provided by ODFW) are available at The Reel Tackle Shop.
         Best Bait to Use: As reported last month, for Coho the bite has been great on corkies and yarn. Success has also been experienced this year using eggs under a bobber, particularly when the water is clear. When the water is colored by snow melt, the best bait to use has been spinners and Blue Fox #4.
         Ideal water levels are about eight to nine feet for the Coho fishery, as reported here in September’s column. In October, the average was around eight feet. With Oregon’s fall rains, the rivers water levels will be rising. And, remember that colder fall nights tend to produce clear waters in the mornings and glacier melt in the afternoons and evenings.
         Forecast: November is expected to be an excellent month for Coho. The Sandy Hatchery expects 13,000 Coho to be back at the Hatchery. As the rains begin, more and more Coho will be pushed up the river systems. Some of the most popular areas are: Cedar Creek and Dodge Park. Coho tend to stay below Revenue Bridge. Coho stray rates continue to be low past the Sandy Hatchery. The 2009 Coho season will be open until December 31st, which is music to Cohono lovers’ ears. As always, updated daily fishing reports can be obtained at (503) 668-5791 or www.thereeltackleshop.com
         Fishing competitions: The Coho Derby has been extended to November 30. The sign-up deadline was October 31. Derby entries will be: two Coho (cleaned) weighed together for the top weight. Entry fees for the Coho Derby was $5. A drawing will be held with tickets at $1 each; two free tickets will be given to each Derby entry. As of late October, the leader weighed in at 25.06 (a weight that is sure be beaten).
         The Grand Prize goes to the two largest Coho (weighed together) caught on the Sandy River.
         For Derby Rules, contact The Reel Tackle Shop, 39261 Proctor Blvd, Sandy, and (503) 668-5791.
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         Rick and Kathy Allen have been owners of The Reel Tackle Shop, 39261 Proctor Blvd, Sandy, for two years. Rick has been in the fishing industry for over 30 years. (503) 668-5791 or www.thereeltackleshop.com.