I've got a bass boat and can't go into the Sky or smaller rivers. But, I sure enjoyed my first year Coho and Pink fishing in the Snoho. I'm from CO and feel blessed to have such a fishery so close to me now. I hope you guys know how lucky you are.
My season report: From not knowing salmon to catching fish. I caught scads of Pinks. My wife and I smoked up so many we were giving them away. I caught 14 Coho that averaged about 8 lbs. A 12 lb buck was my last. Everyone seems to know what to use for the pinks. The Coho are more of a mystery. I admit to anchoring and feeling lost at first. I followed everyone to just above the Pilchuck. (I couldn't go farther cause the water gets too shallow for my motor.)

Right after the last rain so many Coho moved up even I could see where they were. I had 3 days where I felt I was in fishing heaven. Loaded the boat with my limit and could hardly leave it was so fun. One day my wife and I both limited with all about 8 to 9 lbs. They were all over the Wiggle Warts and only the color varied. Then the water level dropped and the fishing got tougher. Tried Vibrax spinners and the corkie types- no good for me. Finally settled on jointed Rapalas. Trying to give the overfished Coho something new to look at. It worked a little. Could also be I needed to drop the size of the lure.

On the 22nd I could see the numbers of rising fish were really slowing down. Very few boaters caught much. The Coho seemed to stay in the fast water and were also in the mouth of the Pilchuck. Pretty cold and slow. I decided to store the boat. Great fun seemed over. But, i'm wondering - do the Chum move in to the Snoho in catchable numbers? they sure are big and ugly, but I'm always willing to catch a fighter which is good for smoking.

Thanks to everyone for this forum. I have learned a bunch. Also to Triangle Tackle and Joe for guiding me in early in the season.

cheers