Either of you two care to elaborate ?

Ng

That was Saturday. The lack of GH chrome was simply too much to bear. And I would succumb to mortal weakness.

So Sunday I braved the weather and rising flows with Spey rod in hand, only to find that the river would be subject to a serious blue hole alert between squalls.

I employed a cackhanded C-Spey river right in the prevailing upstream wind to launch half a chicken 80 ft across the river for a downstream swing thru the heavily colored flow. Chums were still able to find my hangback monstrosity of a "fly" in 16" of viz in the sun.... 12" in the clouds.

You know, they ain't Kanektok bright, but they're full of piss and vinegar in Grays Harbor tidewater.... and that's alright by me.

Yeah, Abu, it's alright by me.

Chum lover and proud of it!

Nice to see a few of the "woofers" showing up. Did see a few, looking off the bridge, on the downriver side.

Nothing like,1997 - 2000, when you'd see thousands.....in most of the rivers...down this way....

You sure won't see any fish for the next few days.......rivers locally are up, up, up and away!!!!!!!

Yep.... maybe time to finally get some housework done. Dam it looks like crap around here!

Please!

I guess that means Aunty and fishchick are gonna sign up to tag team putting the spic-N-span back into Chez Doc. Floors to sweep/vaccuum/mop, nastiness on the cooktop to clean, loads of dishes and laundry to wash, and bathrooms sorely in need of a woman's touch.

Bring plenty of beer ladies... I get a bit thirsty sorting gear, resurrecting dead soldiers, tyin' up leaders, etc. while you two work on that "other" stuff.

Crap, did I seriously just type all of that?

Yes you did just type all of that! LOL
And I think someone owes me a round of dishwashing...don't you agree?
Will still bring beer though!

haha...that's pretty good AuntyM!
But, the question is, do they provide beer?

I didn't even launch at South Monte' today. Satsop must be pucking mud and trees.

Probably just fish the morning if I go again for salmon.

Tribs dropping but mainstem above Satsop still on the rise.

Fishin's been pretty productive for the persistent this season... good time for a bit of wild escapement now.

And please remember.... ALL hatchery fish MUST die!

Posted this on the other thread so sorry for the redundancy. Just figured it would be more appropriate here where would-be Chehalis anglers might be fishing for a fresh report.

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OK guys...

The river MAY fish for a day or two more before the rules BELOW Fuller change over to NON-retention of wild coho.

Chehalis River (Grays Harbor Co.) from mouth (Hwy. 101 Bridge in Aberdeen) to Fuller Bridge.
Sept. 16-Oct. 31. Min. size 12”. Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release CHINOOK and CHUM.
Nov. 1-Jan. 31. Min. size 12”. Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release CHINOOK, wild COHO, and CHUM.

The bulk of the hatchery fish (what few of them came back) have already passed thru the mainstem and into the tribs. The already high proportion of wild fish will be further accentuated in the coming month. This is exactly the scenario WDFW predicted will happen. This is prime run-timing for wild Chehalis coho bound for Wynooche and Satsop. Recent rains have likely pushed a good shot of them upriver as well. Definitely a good thing for wild escapement.

If you habitually fish Chehalis below Fuller and encounter a lot of brand new platinum coho with loose scales, please think about relocating if you are seeing a high incidence of high-finners. These are HORRIBLE catch & release fish with a VERY high mortality. You'll be sending a lot of dead fish to the bottom of the river.

Consider fishing Chehalis above Fuller where wild fish will be legal to harvest without impacting Wynoochee or Satsop stocks. Or head far enough up the Satsop where you are far more likely to encounter fish that have already hardened off (scales set and adequately slimed). These wild coho will tolerate and survive their C&R encounter much better than brand new ones. And PLEASE do the system the biggest favor you can as a consumptive user of the resource.... bonk EVERY hatchery fish you encounter!

Good stuff Doc! Agreed.

That being said, if anyone cares to share some tips on any decent access points for the bank bound angler above Fuller bridge, I'd be grateful.
PM's welcome.