Hello Anglers!

Here's a couple of shots of chinook from the river from the last few days. I've been fishing Siltcoos Lake the last couple of days and fishing is HOT. Several limits have been taken in the vicinity of Maple Arm. Troll plugs or cast spinners. Here's this week's Siuslaw News article....

Trolling for Coho Salmon In the Lakes

Within the next few weeks, Coho salmon will start moving into Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes in greater numbers. We here on the central coast are fortunate enough to have the only wild Coho fishery in Oregon. These fish are aggressive and easier to catch than their larger cousins (Chinook).

Why Trolling?
Trolling is the best way to cover water and increase your chances of finding aggressive fish. You constantly have your offering in the water and at the level where fish will find it. Trolling also puts your presentation down to the right depth quickly and efficiently.

Rods, Reels and Line
When trolling, consider using a medium action rod/reel combination spooled with 15 lb. test line. A medium action rod allows for good plug action and makes for a fun fight once a salmon is hooked. I use a 7 ft. rod so I can net the fish easily by myself. If you use a longer rod, it makes netting difficult. Levelwind or baitcasting reels are made for trolling. Attach a barrel swivel to the main line and attach 4 feet of lighter leader (10 or 12 lb. test). Again, lighter line (and tackle) allows for greater plug movement.

What Plugs To Use
While many different plugs and spinners work, I use Wiggle Warts™, Hot Shots™ and Brad’s Wigglers™ more than any other. I have a selection of colors including pink, orange, blue/silver, green/silver and silver. I recommend changing colors often to find the plug the fish are taking. In order to change plugs without re-tying, tie a locking snap or snap swivel on the end of your leader.

Where To Look for Fish
The first thing to do is look at a map of the lake you’ll be fishing. Notice the “arms” or coves of the lake into which tributaries drain. That’s where the salmon will eventually end up – they’re going to head up those tributaries to spawn. The salmon will mill around in these arms until enough rain falls to raise stream levels. On one lake, look for names such as Fiddle and Maple, and on another lake look for names like Five Mile and Leitel. These names will point you in the right direction.

Final Thoughts
Take a buddy or two fishing with you. You can run different plugs and find what the fish want. Another great location to find fish is in the lake adjacent to the outlet. All fish heading into the lake will be moving right past you (at some point). Try letting out 40-60’ of line when trolling. This will maximize the depth at which the plug will dive and keep you out of the weeds.

See you on the water,
Action Jackson

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

Landing Fish With Seals Around

Before I talk about anything regarding seals and fish, there’s a few things you need to know. Seals are not the reason fish numbers have declined in some areas. If everything is in balance in a river system, the impact of seals on salmon is minimal. When fish runs are in trouble because of habitat loss, human activity (dams, water draw downs, etc.) and poor ocean conditions, the impact of pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) is substantial. Every angler who fishes long enough on coastal rivers will lose a fish to a seal. It is very frustrating. Fall salmon are too difficult to catch to lose one to a seal. There’s a few things you can do to increase your odds of landing a hooked fish when seals are around.

Use Heavier Rods, Reels and Line
Fighting a fish is the most exciting part of salmon fishing, and its exhilarating when a fish makes several long runs. When a salmon runs, it increases the chances of a seal taking notice. Try to play the fish to the boat as quickly as possible. Using heavier rods, reels, and line allows you to control a fish better. I recommend using at least 25 lb. test leaders and 30 lb. test mainline.

Positioning Your Boat Gives You An Advantage
If seals are in the area, try motoring toward a hooked fish. Close the distance between the boat and the fish as much as possible. The angler with the fish on the line will need to reel like crazy to keep pressure on the fish. The boat will help to scare a seal away from the fish.

Wait Until The Last Minute to Show Your Net
If seals can be trained to balance a beach ball on their noses and blow a horn at the circus, you’d better believe they know what a net in someone’s hands means! These critters are very smart, and raising a net is like ringing the dinner bell. Try to remain calm (tough with a fish on) and wait until the last minute to break the net out. Even better is fighting a fish sitting down, where you just look like another angler to a seal.

A Word Of Caution
It is illegal to haze seals in any way. This means no paintball guns, wrist rockets, M-80s, or the like. Hazing seals is a Class A Misdemeanor and can be punishable by a large fine, jail time or both. The next time you’re out and see some seals, be thankful. The seals follow the fish and you know you’re fishing in the right spot.

See you on the water,
Action Jackson

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

October Fish Starting To Show

Last week the fishing in upper tidewater was tough. Most fish moved up the river with the rains. During the last few days signs that another large group of chinook are in the river were many: we saw several anglers hook up while trolling above C&D Dock. Trolling herring or spinners and bobber fishing with sand shrimp or eggs (or both) will produce good catches for the next several days. Building tides will bring in fresh chinook this week.

Questions About Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Dam Opening
A fisherman stopped me at the ramp on Siltcoos Lake on Sunday and asked me some questions about water releases on the lakes. While I couldn’t answer them at the time, I did some research. Here’s what I found out: according to George Westfall, ODFW biologist, the dams are controlled by International Paper and there is no set schedule for opening the dams. Both dams have fish ladders that allow Coho and Cutthroat to pass them. The dams are opened in the late fall to prevent flooding, and Siltcoos is drawn down to 6 feet above sea level on or about Nov. 1 per an agreement with Dunes City.

Vehicle Break Ins Can Ruin A Good Outing
When we got back to the ramp on Tahkenitch on Sunday, I noticed that one of the vehicles had its canopy window smashed. What a bummer. Usually the low life thief gets away with a few dollars worth of items, but it’ll cost you several hundred to replace the window. Here’s a few things you can do to avoid a costly insurance claim.
Don’t leave anything of value in the car, period.
Pay attention to other vehicles in the parking lot. Someone could be scoping you out.
Avoid parking in secluded areas if possible.
Report suspicious activity. If you’re the victim of a break-in, report it. While you’re not likely to get your wallet back, you might stop another vehicle from getting its window smashed.

Report From The Lakes
We fished both Tahkenitch and Siltcoos on Sunday. Water temps at both lakes were good, and Tahkenitch looked great. We talked to a couple of boats in Five Mile Arm who reported catching jacks the day before. Coho are present, but not in great numbers. On Siltcoos, the algae bloom turned the water pea green. No one we talked to had done any good for salmon, but trout fishing was good. We caught several nice trout while trolling for silvers.

See you on the water,
Action Jackson

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

News From Around The Area

Last weekend’s storm delivered way over 2 inches of rain to Mapleton and the surrounding mountains, changing tidewater fishing for the next several days. Here’s the latest on what I’m seeing and hearing out there:

Upriver Fish?
Many folks headed upriver to try to find those moving fish over the weekend. I’ve heard wide ranging stories from getting skunked to hooking several fish. For the most part, if you hooked any fish above Mapleton, you did well. A very reliable source reported landing one chinook, having a couple of other takes, and talking to a lot of folks who had nothing. The river was still too low for safe drift boating on Sunday. Remember, Lake Creek and the Siuslaw above Lake Creek are closed to salmon fishing this year.

Tidewater Fishing
Upper tidewater fishing had been very consistent until the weekend rains. Fishing around Mapleton and below slowed considerably over the weekend. The rain cooled the river into the upper 50’s, which will make for better fishing once fresh fish arrive. Trolling spinners is a great way to cover water and find aggressive fish when they are spread out. Some folks might feel that tidewater fishing is over for the year. Don’t believe it! More fish are coming, and once river levels drop all the way down, they will spend some time in tidewater.

Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Open
Boats have been spotted fishing Tahkenitch lake near the outlet this week. Nobody has reported anything to me yet, but my guess is that silvers are pouring into the lakes, especially with the tremendous numbers of silvers we’re seeing in the river this year. Trolling spinners (like North Country Super Hoochies™) in pink and green would be a great way to catch these fish. If you get out there, call me and send me a report.

Follow That Fish!
Last week we saw a couple of guys hook a large chinook. As they held their position in the river, the big fish worked closer and closer to the shore. Eventually, the fish found some old pilings, wrapped around them, and the guys lost the fish. I felt bad for them, not only because the fish was surely a beauty, but also because there were things they could have done to push the odds in their favor. First, close the gap between your boat and the fish. You can move toward the fish as the angler takes up line. Second, move away from the bank. Lead that fish to the middle of the river where there’s less debris to wrap around.

See you on the water,
Action Jackson

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

Saber-tooth Salmon Spotted On Siuslaw!

Hello Anglers,

Fishing had been very consistent on the Siuslaw (3-5 fish per day) until the rainstorm over the weekend. We had over 2 inches of rain in Mapleton, which put a damper on tidewater fishing for a few days. Most of the fish in tidewater moved upriver as the river rose significantly. It will take a few days, but fish will once again hold in tidewater where trolling and bobber fishing will be effective.

Here's a photo of a 47-lb. chinook that lady-angler Susan from Wisconsin landed recently. Way to go Sue! This is a fish of a lifetime, and the largest fish I've seen on the Siuslaw this year.

See You On The Water,

Action Jackson