If you notice some excitement in my words, it's because I'm very pleased to share some great news about my day. I left the marina in our 12' boat headed for the Siltcoos River at 1:30 pm, having waited for the temperature to get above freezing, literally. My son, Chris, had shared all of his fishing wisdom with me about "stealth" trolling for Coho in small rivers. I was equipped with custom homemade lures but December 30th is very late in the season and my hopes were not high.
I trolled down the river using a little electric trolling motor that Sally had been given by Paul Dumont, a Lake's Edge customer when we purchased the park in January 2000. The river current was strong from the several inches of rain we had over the past few days, but it was surprisingly clear. I arrived at Tyee Campground in only a few minutes and spent the next hour trolling one of the custom lures my son Chris had given me last week during his visit. The current was too strong to maneuver with the antique electric trolling motor and my 6 hp Evinrude needed carburetor work so I had taken out several trees and snagged the bottom even more, but I was determined to give it my best.
I was sure the older gentleman who had been casting from Tyee Campground had laughed himself to death at my antics. Maybe he had gotten disgusted with all the noise I was making and departed, I wasn’t sure, but I managed to settle into a pretty good troll at the lower end of the campground just above the Highway 101 bridge. I had changed to a red "Blue Fox" on 4' of leader behind a line swivel setup.
It was suddenly quiet and peaceful. The little electric motor could barely hold its own against the current. And then, oh, what's that... and wham! The native Coho left no doubt what had found its way to the end of my line. I was using Sally's trout pole and 30 year old Mitchell reel with 12# Maxima Ultragreen, but this was a big, strong fish and I was alone. Oh, I forgot to tell you the pole and custom lure I had set aside had become entangled in the net and I was too preoccupied with the poorly running gas motor and current to untangle it.
I tightened the drag while resisting my urge to slam a major hook set! I cranked on the reel with all the speed I could trying to keep the little boat in the middle of the river. This fish made several runs, all toward the north bank that was riddled with fallen trees and brush. It was sure to get tangled. I prayed it would not. It seemed like 30 minutes, but in fact was only a few and I realized the salmon, who had broken water three or four times, was under the side of the boat. I saw the line swivel appear. I reached for the ensnared net, not caring if the other rig went in the river in the process.
With the skill of a seasoned fisherman I single-handedly lifted the fish’s head from the water and slipped the net under its body. My heart was pounding and I was almost too shocked to comprehend that I actually had the fish in the net! Shazammmm! I felt overwhelmed. I was very lucky. I hurried back to the marina to share my catch with Sally. My first Siltcoos Lake NATIVE Coho was an absolutely beautiful, bright-silver hen, 28.5” long, weighing 9 pounds 6 ounces.
Thanks for taking the time to read about my good fortune. What a way to end 2003!
Happy New Year and I hope you all have an opportunity to share in my luck next season on Siltcoos Lake.
Fred Hilden
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