Rain Will Move Fish

Hello Anglers,
Recent rains, and more scheduled for this week will move chinook upriver. Start searching upper tidewater, or even your favorite bobber holes.
Here's this week's Siuslaw News article...
Identifying Chinook and Coho

Yesterday when I was out on the water, we hooked a very nice fish. It instantly ran off a bunch of line, stayed deep and showed all the signs of being a really nice keeper. We brought it to the net, I scooped it and was just about to bring it in the boat when I looked again – it was a huge coho salmon. I couldn’t believe it because of its size. We gently removed the hook, took a quick picture and sent the fish on its way. Since we caught that coho, and have caught a few smaller chinook (10-12 lbs) that are “coho sized” fish, I thought I’d write about ways to tell these two very similar fish apart.

Coho Salmon Identifying Features
Coho salmon have small spots on the dorsal (top) side of the fish, and have spots on the upper lobe of the tail ONLY. Also, the coho salmon’s gumline is white or light gray. Spawning adults develop a greenish-black head with a dark maroon or brown body. No worries there – you won’t see many fish like that until much later in the fall. Typically coho salmon are much smaller than chinook, but don’t use this as a distinguishing characteristic. Some chinook come back as 3 year-old fish and will be very similar in size to a coho.

Chinook Salmon Identifying Features
Chinook salmon usually have larger, irregular shaped spots on the back, and have spots on BOTH lobes of their tail. Also, chinook salmon have a black gumline (this is where the name “blackmouth” salmon comes from). Most chinook return to freshwater as 4 year-old fish, but may return older and larger. A salmon that is 30 lbs. or more is most definitely a chinook.

Its Not Too Early For Coho In the River
Many anglers (including me) have already caught coho in the river. Even though most of these fish are still out in the ocean, its not too early for them to be caught. Don’t use run timing as a distinguishing characteristic.

If In Doubt, Let It Go
If you have any doubt about the fish you have, let it go. Oregon State Police are watching anglers to make sure they are doing the right things and keeping the right fish. A ticket for keeping the wrong fish and possibly revoking your fishing and hunting privileges is too steep a price to pay.

See you on the water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)

Get Out There!

Fishing is really starting to pick up. Today we hooked 7, landed 5 and kept 4 beautiful chinook. The fish we landed and released was one of the biggest coho I've seen on the river. Be careful when keeping fish as you can't always tell just by the size of the fish.

What Makes a Good Trip?

Hello Anglers,

I had a couple of trips this week where we caught fish, and a couple of trips where we were skunked. This got me to thinking: what makes a good outing? Some trips where we catch fish I wouldn't call "good" and other trips where we've been blanked I'd call "great". To me, every day on the water is good. You'll always see wildlife, beautiful scenery, and enjoy the company. Catching a fish is a bonus. So, next time you're out, relax, breathe deeply and enjoy the sights and sounds of the river. Remember, a great trip is about the whole experience.

Here's this week's Siuslaw News story...

Siltcoos, Tahkenitch Open For Coho This Fall

Oregon’s Fish and Wildlife Commission recently adopted changes and additions in the sportfishing regulations that affect anglers on the Central Coast. The changes made over the summer were made to both allow additional recreational opportunities and protect wild winter steelhead. Here’s a recap of the Commission’s actions:

Coho Fishery Again on Siltcoos and Tahkenitch
Siltcoos and Tahkenitch lakes will be open for coho salmon fishing from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31. This is two weeks longer than the last two seasons. Additionally, there will be no quota on either lake, meaning anglers won’t have to worry about the quota being filled before getting the chance to get out there and experience the fishery. Daily and season limits are still the same: 1 adult and 1 jack per day, 5 adults per season. It is illegal to continue fishing for jacks after retaining an adult salmon.

Regulations on the coho fishery on Siltcoos and Tahkenitch will be part of the Oregon Sportfishing regulations beginning in 2008, meaning they will appear in the booklet. George Westfall, ODFW biologist here in Florence, tells me ODFW has examined the coho numbers in the lakes several different ways and the stocks are strong.

Wild Winter Steelhead Protected on the Umpqua
This summer the Fish and Wildlife Commission also changed the regulations regarding wild winter steelhead harvest on the Umpqua River. Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, anglers will no longer be able to keep wild winter steelhead. It will be catch-and-release on the North and Mainstem Umpqua (catch-and-release is already in effect on the South Umpqua). The old regulations allowed retention of 1 wild steelhead per day, 5 per season.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: good move Commission. These fish are much more valuable back in the water than on the dinner table or in the smoker. It’s better to take action now to protect these fish than wait until the stock is in peril.

Proposed Regulation Changes On the Siuslaw
Westfall also informed me about possible regulation changes affecting the Siuslaw River. Trout fisheries normally shut down on Sept. 30 will be allowed to continue where Chinook fishing is open. Lake Creek above Deadwood Creek and the Mainstem Siuslaw above Whittaker Creek will still be closed from Oct. 1 to Dec. 1 to protect spawning fish.

See you on the water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)

Crowds Starting to Converge on the Siuslaw

Hello Anglers!

This past week has been hit and miss on the river. A couple of trips we caught fish, and a couple of trips we were skunked. Herring is still the ticket as its producing the most consistent bite.

A couple of things came up this week that you should know:

Boaters aren't showing much courtesy when it comes to anglers with fish on. Another angler had a fish cut off when the fish ran toward another boat. When someone has a fish on, steer clear! These fish are too tough to catch to have one lost because another boat just had to keep the course they were fishing.

Also, I was recently yelled at by some angry boaters who wanted to pull out their boat right as I was putting in the water. The lady yelled at me and the man used a derogatory term aimed at me. If you are the folks who yelled at me and you're reading this, you may want to think about taking up another hobby. At the boat ramp it is, and will always be, first come, first served. The ironic thing was by the time I parked and pulled away, they were still backing down the trailer! Just a reminder to be patient at the launch. Fishing is supposed to be fun and relaxing and if it isn't, try golf.

Fishing Becoming More Consistent

Hello Anglers!

Fishing on the Siuslaw is starting to become more consistent every day. This morning several boats picked up at least one fish. Fishing peaked just before high tide. There has been another good bite with the afternoon high tide as well. We were out last night and went 1 for 2 in a couple of hours of fishing. Harbor seals are really making a nuisance of themselves. We talked to 3 boats who all lost fish to seals last evening.

Here's this week's Siuslaw News story...

“Fish On” Means Give Way

Last week I was out trolling on the river and a very nice couple was trolling very close to me. As we were talking about how beautiful the weather was (and other topics), one of their rods goes down. The first thing I did was ask if it was running at me, and, since it was, I reeled up my line as fast as I could so me didn’t get tangled. I maneuvered my boat to stay out of their way, got past them a safe distance, and dropped my bait back down. I watched them fight the fish for about 5 minutes or so and saw other boats very close to them. I couldn’t tell exactly how close until I talked to them later. When I caught back up with them on another pass, they told me that another boat actually trolled RIGHT INTO THE BACK OF THEIR BOAT! In the process, they lost the fish. I couldn’t believe it. At times it can be hard enough to hook a salmon, and losing it because of the carelessness of another boat is inexcusable. During the next few weeks its going to be getting more and more crowded on the coastal rivers. Considering what I saw last week I thought it might be a good time to talk about river etiquette again.

Reel ‘Em Up, Fast!
If another boat hooks a fish close by, have everyone in the boat reel their baits up as fast as possible. A salmon can peel 100 yards of line (or more) very quickly. If lines get tangled, the chances of landing the fish go down dramatically. If someone else’s fish gets around my line, I cut the line. I have several pre-tied leaders ready to go just in case something like this happens. It only takes a few minutes to re-tie, and the angler who lands a fish thanks to you doing your part will be forever thankful.

Steer Your Boat Clear
After all lines are in, get your boat out of the way. The boat fighting the fish has the right-of-way, and its up to you to stay clear. Remember, the boat with the fish is pretty busy and hectic, whereas you can stay out of the way much easier. According to U.S. Coast Guard protocol, a boat “Not Under Command” has the right-of-way over all other boats. After you are in the clear, drop your baits back down.

Let Other Boaters Know What’s Going On
In close quarters, communication is very important. Some boaters don’t pay as much attention as they should, so don’t be afraid to shout, wave your arms, or blow the horn if its handy. And if you’re in a boat that gets yelled at, don’t take offense. There’s a chance you weren’t paying attention like you should be, and if someone has a fish on they’re excited! Don’t blow their chances by being stubborn or inconsiderate.

See you on the water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)