Chinook SSSF
12-26-2010, 04:03 PM
The 2010 chum salmon run was better than most years in Oregon. I was fortunate to be over in Tillamook on a day when conditions were perfect and schools salmon could be seen passing through on the incoming tide. My partner for the day Ed Fast was also excited to see new water with a great chance of many fly rod hookups. Although switching up seemed to be key throughout the day, at some point these fish would bite almost anything we threw at them. Common road side holes on the smaller streams at the North end of the bay payed off sharply with angler preasure at little to nothing.
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums4sm.jpg
Lets start out with this thing. I am not sure of it's name but Ed insisted I show you all this fly because he was going to catch something on it. He likely did but I dont remember all the crazy stuff we caught fish on that day.
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums6sm.jpg
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums7sm.jpg
Ed with a typical lice covered fresh Chum Salmon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chum_salmon) male. We are here during the catch & release period that closes on November 15th in all Tillamook streams that are open to chum angling.
Another friend of mine Mike showed up just after on his own account. I insisted that he was now stuck fishing with Ed and myself all day in the rain for better or for worse. He caught his share, believe me!
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums9sm.jpg
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums3sm.jpg
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums14sm.jpg
Ladies and Gentalmen (*_*) Your "bent rod" photo of the day is!!!..!! :o
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums5sm.jpg
Although some of our days fish look dark, they are much fresher than they look. Notice the extreme high count of back sea lice on the darker fish in the photo below. The reason for this is that Chum salmon turn dark faster than all other members of the Pacific salmon family. Yes even faster then the "tule chinook (http://northwestfishing.info/showthread.php/1027-Homeward-Bound-Salmon-gt-lt-gt-Pic-Heavy)" salmon that is native to the lower Columbia Basin. Chum salmon can turn dark in 24 hours or less once in fresh water.
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums2sm.jpg
For this reason it is important to look for these fish in the lower portions of the river where fish are entering the system. Fish found in the upper reaches of streams may be ready to spawn and should be left alone. Be careful that you look for red or spawning beds when you are wading in streams known to have chum runs. They often spawn in the shallow areas that look safe for us to cross. Always walk "above" or "up stream" of the reds since many eggs may drift down stream from the red before settling.
Male and Female comparison.
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums8sm.jpg
Male chum salmon
As you would expect the male chum salmon often has large searing teeth making it unsafe to place year hand in their mouth to remove a hook. I always keep a pair of pliers handy when fishing for chums and also for tule chinook salmon. Males will loose their color faster than the females. The head is typical of female salmonids and the teeth are much smaller than that of the male.
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums11sm.jpg
female chum salmon
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums12sm.jpg
Noting earlier that switching up was helpful, this male chum fell for a pink worm fished on a jig head and under a float. It had been a goal of mine for that day to make this happen. Epic satisfaction indeed! Just Epic..
Ohh! and of course, your Epic Tillamook sunset! :cool:
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums13sm.jpg
Truely a great time with good friends...:cool:
Here is a few shots from the mid 90's from North bay. I love great history! Every now and then a surprise would turn up in the mix!
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums21.jpg
BIG male chum
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums23.jpg
Surprise, surprise, surprise!" *Gomer Pyle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gomer_Pyle)*
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums22.jpg
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums4sm.jpg
Lets start out with this thing. I am not sure of it's name but Ed insisted I show you all this fly because he was going to catch something on it. He likely did but I dont remember all the crazy stuff we caught fish on that day.
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums6sm.jpg
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums7sm.jpg
Ed with a typical lice covered fresh Chum Salmon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chum_salmon) male. We are here during the catch & release period that closes on November 15th in all Tillamook streams that are open to chum angling.
Another friend of mine Mike showed up just after on his own account. I insisted that he was now stuck fishing with Ed and myself all day in the rain for better or for worse. He caught his share, believe me!
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums9sm.jpg
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums3sm.jpg
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums14sm.jpg
Ladies and Gentalmen (*_*) Your "bent rod" photo of the day is!!!..!! :o
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums5sm.jpg
Although some of our days fish look dark, they are much fresher than they look. Notice the extreme high count of back sea lice on the darker fish in the photo below. The reason for this is that Chum salmon turn dark faster than all other members of the Pacific salmon family. Yes even faster then the "tule chinook (http://northwestfishing.info/showthread.php/1027-Homeward-Bound-Salmon-gt-lt-gt-Pic-Heavy)" salmon that is native to the lower Columbia Basin. Chum salmon can turn dark in 24 hours or less once in fresh water.
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums2sm.jpg
For this reason it is important to look for these fish in the lower portions of the river where fish are entering the system. Fish found in the upper reaches of streams may be ready to spawn and should be left alone. Be careful that you look for red or spawning beds when you are wading in streams known to have chum runs. They often spawn in the shallow areas that look safe for us to cross. Always walk "above" or "up stream" of the reds since many eggs may drift down stream from the red before settling.
Male and Female comparison.
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums8sm.jpg
Male chum salmon
As you would expect the male chum salmon often has large searing teeth making it unsafe to place year hand in their mouth to remove a hook. I always keep a pair of pliers handy when fishing for chums and also for tule chinook salmon. Males will loose their color faster than the females. The head is typical of female salmonids and the teeth are much smaller than that of the male.
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums11sm.jpg
female chum salmon
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums12sm.jpg
Noting earlier that switching up was helpful, this male chum fell for a pink worm fished on a jig head and under a float. It had been a goal of mine for that day to make this happen. Epic satisfaction indeed! Just Epic..
Ohh! and of course, your Epic Tillamook sunset! :cool:
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums13sm.jpg
Truely a great time with good friends...:cool:
Here is a few shots from the mid 90's from North bay. I love great history! Every now and then a surprise would turn up in the mix!
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums21.jpg
BIG male chum
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums23.jpg
Surprise, surprise, surprise!" *Gomer Pyle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gomer_Pyle)*
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssf2010images/fishing2010/chums/chums22.jpg