Oncorhynchus kisutch
The coho salmon, known as the silver salmon for its brilliant chrome coloring when fresh from the sea, is arguably the best Pacific salmon species for fly anglers. Coho combine aggressive fly-taking behavior with acrobatic fights and a willingness to chase down swung flies and stripped streamers that makes them the most consistently cooperative salmon on a fly rod. Averaging 8 to 12 pounds, coho provide outstanding sport on medium-weight fly tackle without requiring the heavy gear needed for Chinook. Fresh coho in their ocean-bright phase are stunning fish with metallic silver sides and dark blue-green backs. As they progress upriver, males develop hooked jaws (kypes) and dark red coloring. Alaska offers the finest coho fishing in the world, with rivers like the Kanektok, Karluk, and countless Bristol Bay tributaries providing reliable runs from July through October.
Order
Salmoniformes
Family
Salmonidae
Genus
Oncorhynchus
Species
O. kisutch
Open ocean during marine phase; coastal rivers and streams with moderate flows, deep pools, and gravel bars during spawning runs
Native Range: Pacific Rim from central California to Point Hope, Alaska, and across to Kamchatka, Russia, and northern Japan
Introduced Range: Great Lakes of North America, Chile, Argentina, and scattered introductions in other regions
In the ocean: herring, sand lance, anchovy, squid, and euphausiids; in freshwater: largely non-feeding but aggressively strike bright, flashy flies
Coho salmon return to natal streams from September through December, with peak spawning occurring in November and December in most systems. Females construct redds in gravel riffles and deposit 1,500 to 4,500 eggs. Like all Pacific salmon, coho are semelparous, dying after a single spawning event.
Spawning Months
Spawning Temperature: 42-50°F
The Coho Salmon is currently classified as Lower 48 populations in Oregon and California include ESA-listed Threatened populations; Alaska populations remain healthy and are commercially harvested. Responsible catch-and-release practices help protect populations for future generations of anglers.
Coho salmon respond aggressively to swung wet flies and stripped streamers, especially brightly colored patterns in pink, purple, and chartreuse. Fish the swinging fly across and down through holding water, and be prepared for explosive takes. Fresh, ocean-bright fish in the lower river reaches provide the best sport.
A 9-foot 7 or 8-weight rod is ideal for most coho situations. Use a floating or intermediate sinking line for shallow rivers and a sink-tip for deeper water. Tippet strength of 10-15 lb is sufficient.
Average Size
20-28 inches, 6-12 lbs
World Record
33 lbs 4 oz (Salmon River, New York, 1989)
