I have the first 2 weeks of September off initially to fish the hell out of Alberta - rivers and lakes. Mostly the back swimmer hatch. ...But, watched I few YouTubes on coho and that pretty much did me in.
Headed to Kitimat next Saturday to fish for coho on the river for a few days. Booked a half-day guided as well just to learn some more and all that. Yesterday I picked up a Redington Behemoth reel at the Fishing Hole at 25% off. Fly line at 25% off. Some additional leaders and sink tips at 40% off. I had already picked up a cheap 8 wt rod earlier this year at an auction...so I'm all set to hopefully smash some coho on the fly.
I've done the Skeena and Bulkley in 2015 and did well. Never fished the Kit before and never specifically targeted coho in a river. Looking forwards to it!
I have the first 2 weeks of September off initially to fish the hell out of Alberta - rivers and lakes. Mostly the back swimmer hatch. ...But, watched I few YouTubes on coho and that pretty much did me in.
Headed to Kitimat next Saturday to fish for coho on the river for a few days. Booked a half-day guided as well just to learn some more and all that. Yesterday I picked up a Redington Behemoth reel at the Fishing Hole at 25% off. Fly line at 25% off. Some additional leaders and sink tips at 40% off. I had already picked up a cheap 8 wt rod earlier this year at an auction...so I'm all set to hopefully smash some coho on the fly.
I've done the Skeena and Bulkley in 2015 and did well. Never fished the Kit before and never specifically targeted coho in a river. Looking forwards to it!
Good luck. Tie up some Mickey Finns before you go!
Remember you might run into some Chum salmon when fishing the Kitimat. Hopefully your 8 weight has some backbone to it. And don't forget the bear spray.
All the creek confluences usually have hatchery coho stacked up at the mouths. Don’t forget to check out runs just upstream of the bridge in town (i.e., coho flats - 2km hike). Pink and blue are great colours. You’ll get in to a bunch of pinks along with chums. Coho are attracted to jigging motion, so marabou jigs and weighted flies… Spey rod will work on everything else than coho.
Don’t hesitate to stop at the Morice River when driving through Houston — speaking of Huston, check out Brewstirs coffee. A great joint for coffee and food!!
Thanks all. Keep any info coming
Have to check out that coffee place too. Thanks FT!
I have a 10wt fly rod I'm bringing as well. The 8wt is pretty stout too. I do have a 12.5 ft double handed spey rod but I can't cast it...yet. So at I have some other options with me.
For my own tied flies I have purple and pink, blue and white, etc. I'll bring the tying kit along as well.
Purple and pink
Last edited by SNAPFisher; 08-26-2024 at 03:12 PM.
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Often I have been exhausted on trout streams, uncomfortable, wet, cold, briar scarred, sunburned, mosquito bitten,
but never, with a fly rod in my hand have I been in a place that was less than beautiful.
The cohos are piling into the Kitimat right now, perfect timing. Still a crazy amount of pinks too, but the chums are done. A few Springs, and the odd steelhead hiding out here and there… In front of the campground is a great place to start, especially under the bridge. Nice flat bottom and few snags. Fish the incoming tides. Water level is super low and there’s a log jam 1km downstream from the hwy 37 bridge/ boat launch so very few if any boats on the river.
Access from the campground boat launch or the Rod & Gun Club parking lot; or, the old Methanex plant parking lot. Lots of people fishing at Coho Flats…
I just returned from a week there and didn’t have any issues with bears but carry spray and bangers always, even when fishing “in town”.
Don’t be afraid to head about 10km north of town and try any spot that looks good. Hike up around the first bend and you’ll be in your own quiet Paradise.
All your flies have to be single/ barbless hook and make sure they are strong Salmon hooks. Light wire hooks will break. Set the hook when you feel the first headshake. I like to use as long a leader as I can cast without too much tangling, minimum 10lb and I’m sure many use much heavier.
Headed to Kitimat
Hybrid Mode
