Sport fishermen will get their first shot at the great coho salmon run that is expected to return to the Columbia River this year when the ocean salmon seasons open along the Washington Coast on Saturday.
“Anglers can expect some great opportunities to fish for coho this summer,” said Wendy Beeghley, a fisheries manager for the WDFW in a news release. “With increased numbers of coho projected to return, we have a much higher catch quota for coho this year in comparison with the last few years.”
The 2019 quota for coho is 159,600 adults. That is up 117,600 fish over 2018.
The chinook quota is only 26,250 fish, 1,250 fewer fish than last year. The chinook run is expected to be weak this year.
In marine areas 1 (Ilwaco) and 2 (Westport), anglers can retain two salmon, only one of which can be a chinook. Only adipose fin-clipped coho of hatchery origin may be retained.
Like many anglers, Oregon fishing guide Bob Rees is excited about this fishery.
“This is probably going to be the salvation of our sport fisheries for the year,” said Rees. “With all the other fisheries depressed there should be a lot of interest since the run is going to be so robust.”
Although the season is slated to close Sept. 30, Beeghley reminds anglers that some marine areas could close early if the quota is caught quickly.
Prospects are good for the hatchery component of the coho run.
“A large portion should be of hatchery origin, so you won’t have to weed your way through a bunch of wild fish to get your hatchery fish,” said Rees.
Rees will start by concentrating his efforts on the area at the CR buoy southwest of the Columbia River Bar. He will be trolling near the surface, and will likely be running anchovies as his bait. He suggests anglers start by fishing shallow in the morning, and a little deeper as the sun climbs.
Throughout the summer, anglers can check WDFW’s webpage for updates at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/reports/creel/ocean
Guided trips: Oregon Fishing Guide Bob Rees: (503) 812-9036, https://www.northwestguides.com/fishing/
