What happened to record returns of Coho?

[trout-n-salmon]

Not that I have had a bad year... I have came close to filling my card with silvers, but it has not been the best of years for silvers.  I remember the talk of this being a record year for silvers.  I did not see this on any of the rivers I fish from southern Washington, to the Hoods Canal rivers.  Anyone have any insight as to where they went?   From what I remember, the expected returns last year were far fewer, but there were a heck of a lot more fish.  I was still banging silvers in the Cowlitz this time last year.

[fishcrazy]

The Cow is still full of silvers. And lots of them. My buddy has had his best year ever!!! Last I talked to him he was averaging 20 -24 fish per day in the cooler. It did seam as though the big push of silver was a bit late.

Kris

[BigGoonTuna]

i haven't fished the cowlitz at all this year for silvers, but from my dad's reports, they just had really bad lockjaw this season.

the chehalis system has been having a great return year, lots of fish and they're biters.  just wish i could've gotten out more in the early season.

[fishcrazy]

they just had really bad lockjaw this season.

They are lock jawed fish. My buddy Justin has been working on an egg cure and finally cracked the jaws on those fish. Like I said he was puting 20 - 24 in the box per day with clients who aren't really skilled and had never fished before.

The fish did show but for alot of guys they didn't bite.

Kris

[trout-n-salmon]

Where on the Cowlitz is he still catching silvers?  We are catching nothing but lizard kings?  Rumor has it that the Toutle hole is boat access only now that the railway has closed off walk in access under the bridge.  If yu don't mind a general area where they are at, I would appreciate it. 

Here is a lizard from this weekend

[bowtech721]

wow that thing is like black! Still cool i just havent seen one like that before but i havent fished rivers that much

[fishcrazy]

I havn't talked to my guide buddy in over a week. The last time I talked to him he was still around Castle Rock.
Another buddy fished out of Mission bar this weekend and said fish were thick and looked to be in good shape. He's new to fishing and only had a few bites on some eggs I gave him.


Kris

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

The record return of coho started in august in the ocean with limits in an hour, and continued into mid october in astoria with limits at the bridge. They are still hammering the fish on the klickitat. And fish will be caught on the cowlits untill thanksgiving and beyond.
I have a buddy that filled 2 punch cards worth of coho on the cowlits. This was an epic year but if you only fish a day here and a day there you would never notice it because there were good days and bad days.
All you have to use on the cowlits to get them to bite is a wiggler, i caught fish every day i fish the cowlits and all i use is brads wigglers.
The late run on the kalama never materialized but i believe the netters got alot of those fish.

[trout-n-salmon]

You are right.  You have to fish often to notice it.  I only hit the river about 3 times a week, but where I normally fish they really never materialized.  Thanks for the info.