Peak Coho Run Hits Full Stride on a Calm 6°C Flood

The Coho Run Is Peaking Right Now

This is the window we wait all season for. The coho run through Discovery Passage has hit full stride, and we're seeing the classic signs — bait balls getting hammered on the surface, birds working the tide lines, and fish crashing spoons the second they hit the water. These aren't small fish either. The 10 to 15 pound class is showing up in numbers, thick-shouldered and mean, and they're feeding aggressively as they stage for the push toward the rivers.

Today's Conditions

We woke up to a crisp 6°C morning with clear skies and a light NW wind at just 8 km/h. The water is flat — wave height is sitting right around 0.0m, which is about as glassy as it gets out here. We're working the morning slack building into the flood, and that transition is exactly when the coho light up. Calm, clear, and a moving tide is a recipe worth setting your alarm for.

What's Running and Why

Coho are the headline act, no question. They're the aggressive top-of-the-water fish that make September such a blast in Campbell River. Alongside them, the chum salmon are starting to arrive, adding some brute strength to the mix, and there are still late chinook holding around for anglers who want a shot at something bigger. Three species on the go means there's always a bend in the rod.

Technique Hints

With coho this fired up, keep it near the surface. Bucktail flies skated on top will draw explosive strikes, and green spoons run higher in the water column are producing consistently. Watch for bait activity and put your gear right into the chaos — coho rarely hesitate when they're in this mood. If you want to target the chum or late chinook, drop a little deeper and slow things down.

What to Expect This Week

The run timing is right where we want it, and with the settled weather holding, the bite should stay strong through the coming days. Discovery Passage and the mouth of Johnstone Strait are both fishing well, and the glassy conditions make for comfortable, productive mornings on the water. This is peak season fishing at its finest.

Book Your Trip

Coho this aggressive don't stick around forever — when the run peaks, you want to be on the water. Spots are filling fast during this stretch. Give us a shout and let's get you into some big, hard-charging fall salmon while the timing is perfect.

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.