Wayne Kruse’s Pick of the Week: Skykomish River coho

Published 12:01 am Thursday, October 13, 2011

Late last week, before the rains hit, the upper Snohomish was putting out excellent coho fishing in the vicinity of Douglas Bar, with a few fish showing in the 14- to 15-pound range. Avid angler and Arlington resident Sam Ingram said those fish should be up in the Skykomish by this weekend, assuming we haven’t had enough precipitation to put the river out.

The best areas should be at and below the mouths of both the Sultan and Wallace rivers, Ingram said. The rock rip-rap on the Highway 2 side of the river for 100 yards below the mouth of the Sultan should be a particularly good bet for bank fishermen. Toss a float and egg rig, not too far out, and drift it slowly down the seam, Ingram said.

Boaters might try No. 1 Dick Nite spoons if water visibility is good, and the nickel-back frog pattern has been effective on the Sky. If there’s color in the river, backtroll Fatfish plugs in firetiger, or drift eggs and yarn.