Coho Numbers Surge as Chum Push In on a Glassy NW Flood
Coho are peaking at 10-15 lbs with chum arriving and late chinook still around — surface spoons on a calm NW flood are the ticket.
Species on the Move in Discovery Passage
The coho run is hitting its stride right now, and you can feel it out on the water. Fish in the 10 to 15 pound range are stacking up through Discovery Passage, and they are chewing. Alongside them, the first big pushes of chum salmon are arriving, while a few late chinook are still hanging around the bait to round out the mixed bag. This is the kind of week that keeps guides grinning — plenty of aggressive fish and a bite that just keeps building.
This Morning's Conditions
We woke up to a crisp 10°C and clear skies over Campbell River — the kind of bluebird morning that makes the whole strait light up. Northwest winds are light at 11 km/h, and the water is dead flat with wave heights sitting at roughly 0.0m. We are working the morning slack into a building flood, which is prime timing for putting fish in the boat. When the tide starts to move, so do the coho.
What's Working
Coho at their peak are surface-oriented and downright aggressive, so this is the week to break out the spoons and surface flies. Bright, flashy spoons trolled through the top of the water column are drawing savage strikes, and coho will chase down a fast presentation without hesitation. As the flood picks up, keep an eye out for bait balls and diving birds — that surface activity is a dead giveaway for where the coho and late chinook are feeding. For the arriving chum, slow things down and work a little deeper with green and chartreuse patterns.
What Guests Can Expect This Week
With coho peaking and chum numbers climbing daily, the action should stay hot right through the coming week. Calm mornings like this one out of Campbell River and into Johnstone Strait mean comfortable rides and productive water. Expect fast-paced fishing, plenty of screaming reels, and the very real chance at a mixed catch of coho, chum, and a late chinook.
Get Aboard
When the run is peaking like this, the calendar fills fast. If you want a shot at hard-fighting coho on a glassy flood, now is the time to lock in your date with Fishing Storie Charters. Give us a call and let's put you on the fish while the bite is on fire.
Ready to experience world-class fishing in Campbell River? Book your charter trip with Fishing Storie Charters today. Captain Jason and the crew are ready to put you on fish.
