[Report] Lake Oroville Coho 2.2.14

Well with the start of Kayak Wars, a new kayak and a Super Bowl and Raiders fans could care less about, I decided it was a good opportunity to head down to the local watering hole.  Lake Oroville!  Lake Oroville can be tough any time of the year, but really tough in the winter months. 

I met up with Glenn "Boat Ballast" at the Lime Saddle launch a little after 9am.  The skies were overcast and the water was a chilly 47 degrees.  We decided to head up the West Branch hoping to find some of the Coho or trout, but we had to get out of the houseboat moorings before we could put the down rigger to depth.  I had rigged my Lowrance HDS 5 fish finder up last night on the new Cuda and thought this would be a good trial run for it.  It was for about 10 minutes when the battery died and then I was fishing blind.  I'll have to look into that.     Anyways trolled all the way up to Nelson Bar where we found a cove with water coming into it and some old tree structure that was exposed by the low water level.  I decided I was going to give my crappie jigs a workout, so I put one on with a black tail.  After jigging for awhile, felt the tap tap and set the hook.  Once I starting reeling, I knew it was a larger fish.  I thought it was the typical Oroville slot bass, but was surprised to see a salmon on the end of the line.  It put up a decent fight and I realized I had left my net at home.  About that time the fish had wrapped himself around a submerged tree branch and after that it was GAME OVER.  Frustrated that I lost my first fish on the new kayak, I quickly tied on another jig and sent it down before reality of losing the fish set in.  After jigging for another 15 to 20 minutes I got another chance, but this time I didn't give the fish a chance to dive.  This time as soon as the fish came up, I grabbed the line and in one motion flipped the salmon into the yak and preceded with the leg hold until I could get the fish on the stringer.  With the skunk off and game time fast approaching we B lined back to the launch and home for the game.

I wish we had more action but all in all it was a good day.  Caught my first fish of the new year, first fish off the new Cuda, and first Lake Oroville Coho.

Bret

P.S.  I anyone believes this fish to be a Chinook let me know.  Oroville has been stocked with the Coho for a few years now, but it is my understanding that they are suppose to be switching to stocking the Chinook.  I just haven't heard any reports of Chinook releases yet.

Pretty fish. Kayak looks nice too.

Way to put Fishfull thinking on the board Bret! My mom is in Chico I would love to fish with you sometime. That fish looks like Coho to me but I'm no expert.-Amos

WTG Bret!  Congrats on landing your first fish on the new yak.

Amos anytime you come up bring the yak and we'll go.
Thanks Mel, it was a little nerve racking not having the net but it was good to breaking the new kayak spell.

Very nice! Score for Fishfull Thinking.

Nice fish - congrats, Bret!   

Nice fish, whatever it is! Ive been wanting to get back up there again and give the main lake a try. I fished down below last time for a whole lot of nada.

I'm jealous. I would have loved to catch anything at Oroville today. I hit Bidwell most of the day and got nothing but "bumps" from little spots I would guess? That was a cold day for no fish.

At least you give me hope there are fish in there! Nice catch!

Great fish, Bret!

I have a hard time fishing Oroville myself.  About the only thing I'm good at there is fishing Senkos wacky rigged for the Spots.  I've fished a number of times for the Coho and have never caught one until today while trying to catch Crappie, but I'll take it.  Supposedly the Coho will hit just about anything.  My last trip out there, I watched a guy pull one in on a Senko worm.  I wish we had more time out there today, because where there is one there is more.

congrats Bret! Ive been wanting to try Oroville

Congrats!  That does indeed look like a nice Chinook Coho.   Sorry you lost the first fish and bummer to no fishfinder. 

Nice fish no matter the species.

I'd have to think the ocean identification system works with freshwater salmon too.  If so, check the gums.

Nice coho!  I wonder how long they're gonna last in Oroville now that they're no longer being stocked.  WTG on getting him on the jig bite  .