Coho in close.

I hit a north coast spot yesterday (11/11) for a little bottom fishing. There is a little creek that flows into a little cove at the launch. I’ve never seen the creek dry, but usually the mouth is blocked due to sand across the beach into the little cove.

I was setting up on the beach when Sam exclaims “I just saw a fish jump!” Of course I missed it. I tell her that it’s probably a jacksmelt or similar trying to get away from something.

A few minutes later as I’m still setting up (yeah yeah I’m slow) she again yells over “I saw another fish jump!”

Well now my interest is piqued and I begin to watch the water as I’m thinking to myself “there is no way this stupid fish will jump again”

Well sure enough within a minute less than 50 feet from shore I see a jumper! This is no boring jumper either. This fish completely clears the water by at least a foot, maybe even more. It is a beautiful silver torpedo. Long and muscular. Leaping out of the water just to show off its strength! A gorgeous healthy Coho waiting for some more rain to get up the little creek.

I was stunned. It was one of the most unexpected things that I have seen and I felt incredibly lucky to see it.

I jump into my kayak and paddle out to where the coho had been jumping. Standing and slowly paddling I see a shadow out of the corner of my eye. It’s not just one coho it’s a frickin school of them! 20+ 5ish pound fish milling around in water that was 5-15 feet deep. Such an amazing sight!

I tried to get some picture of them jumping but wasn’t fast enough. I did manage some shots of the school underwater at least.

Wow John!  What a gift to witness…hope you geet some fishees!  Thanks for sharing…

that's awesome, and glad to hear you're both feeling better!

Great report and awesome experience for the two of you. 

Such a memorable experience.

Alex

Thanks for sharing your experience with us 3$J.

Very cool. Nice water n' pics

It's a special time to be around the fish like that.

That is something special!

Amazing!! Definitely a special encounter. Super stoked you guys got to experience it.

Incredible sight. Thanks for sharing John!

Awesome One John!!!
This sport can get us into some really cool experience’s
Glad you and Sam got to see that!
Scotty

That is awesome! Were they in the ocean waiting to enter or were they already inside the creek/lagoon?

That is awesome! Were they in the ocean waiting to enter or were they already inside the creek/lagoon?

Yup, still in the ocean waiting for enough rain to breach the mouth of the creek.

Freaking cool!
An aside, I heard that baby coho have been found alive in water that was thought to be too warm for them. They have a chance!

That's amazing! Thanks for sharing.