Fishing: I have been trying to get out for two weeks, but work has been so busy and my boss (me) is a real jerk. He makes me work all the time. I even had my car packed and ready to go with waders, fishing supplies and broken down rods for several days. It traveled with me everywhere but to the river! My boss finally showed some kindness by giving me the morning off. I was thrilled. There were a few new drift fishing setups I wanted to try. Some of the reports indicated Coho were in the rivers, and they were feeding on eggs. I had eggs ready to thaw out for my exploration. Thomas Eddie is close by, a favorite of mine, but unfortunately everybody else’s too. My 6:30am arrival was perfect to still get a parking spot and get to my destination at first light. What I had not anticipated, was an unfortunate slip in the mud, boots in the air and I came down hard on my rod and reel. The rod tip snapped off and the spin casting reel ring was bent way back. Ever want to modify your 9 ½ ‘ graphite casting rod into a 7’ poor performance rod? I know just how to do that. Snipped off the end, bent back the ring… it casted like crap, but I’m no quitter. There were a lot of Coho rolling, jumping into aerials. Between 7-9am, I must have seen 100 Coho, but only saw 2 caught. I was not so lucky. It rained moderately hard the entire time. The river current was barely moving, and low enough that I saw several fishermen cross to the other side. It is always a new experience fishing at the river. I’d rather be catching.

BentRod

10/8/2015 7:27:00 AM

Some days just suck. Sorry to hear of your trouble and no fish to boot. Hopefully next time is better for you.

Goldrigger1

10/8/2015 8:59:00 AM

I understand the problem with a rod that long with a light tip- they break easy. Mine did. Luckily had a guarantee at Cabela's and got a new one free.

I had my first time up at Doug Bar on Monday. The water is low and the silvers are all over showing off by jumping and swirling. I was surveying using high tide and it was way to clear a day. No fish and none of the other boats had fish. Nothing at mid day. This rain is going to help. Water flow is up a 100 cfs. which is nice. We also could use some color to the water the rain will provide. I'm hoping things get easier for us.

jonb

10/8/2015 9:35:00 AM

Once coho are in the river, they dont feed on anything. When a coho bites it is an instictual, territorial or anger response.

Flying Scotsman

10/8/2015 2:33:00 PM

The banks down to the river were slicker than snot yesterday, I ski them out!

FishingTenor

10/8/2015 8:18:00 PM

Now jonb, i have read your reports. You have been catching limits on eggs. i am wondering if they dont like my eggs. Maybe i used to much fire cure or the presentation is not right to either piss off or instictually entice these coho. Any tips?

jonb

10/8/2015 8:47:00 PM

I also use firecure. I start by placing my skeins on paper towels then sprinkle the skeins liberally with sea salt. I let stand for 5 minutes, flip the skeins salt the other side. Then I cut those skeins into bait sized pieces, normal gumball size, any larger than that is not nessesary. Then I sprinkle just enough firecure on my eggs to color them. I then remove the old paper towel and place a new papertowel on an open container and put them uncovered in the fridge, I spread tgem out so none of the balls are touching each other. The purpose is to let the roe balls dry, I dont like goopy messy eggs. These eggs stay on the hook better and laat longer. I prefer the orange firecure, red is my #2 choice. The biggest most important factor is making sure your eggs stay 4"-12" from bottom. Also I NEVER freeze my eggs at any point. Fresh skeins from a well bled fish is best. I also prefer to use roe from this years coho run, not sure if it really matters but it seems like it does. Ill also make a note that im no egg expert, my forte is hardware, jigs specifically.

jonb

10/8/2015 8:49:00 PM

Id like to clarify, when I talked about keeping them just off bottom, im talkimg about while fishing. Whether it be with a float or drifting. I find a short leader makes it easier to keep your eggs at the right depth when drifting.

N E 1 FISSION

10/8/2015 10:06:00 PM

As usual, great lesson to be learned, thanks again JonB!!

FishingTenor

10/8/2015 11:45:00 PM

Thanks jonb for the tips on curing roe and fishing with it.
If you never freeze it, how long can you keep it in the frig? I have been freezing it.

jonb

10/9/2015 12:59:00 PM

With the roe being as dry as it is, it lasts a few weeks. The goopier the eggs the faster they turn foul.

jonb

10/9/2015 1:05:00 PM

I think the salt helps keep it from turning too.

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