Ron Neitsch
Contributed
Fall salmon fishing is here and so are the larger coho salmon, which many refer to as northern coho.
These coho are larger than the summer run cohos, which are seen in late June, and provide awesome sport fishing opportunities.
Many anglers fish at the entrance to the Sooke River below the Sooke River bridge, facing towards the harbour from the shore. You can use spinning or fly fishing gear under the bridge, and are currently allowed to keep 2 hatchery marked coho per person per day.
Coho fishing in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, trolling hootchies, using bait or spoons is great, as boats are landing hatchery coho averaging 6 to 10 lbs, and some up to 13 lbs or better.
On Oct. 1, regulations will change for the Sooke Harbour and the Juan de Fuca Strait for coho fishing, and will allow for 1 wild coho per person and up to 3 hatchery marked coho.
Please check the current regulations online or at your local tackle provider.
Upcoming coho salmon fishing derbies include the Port Renfrew Marina Derby on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, which costs $25 per rod, and the Sooke Coho Derby put on by the Sooke Saltwater Series on Oct.7, which costs $50 per rod.