Last spring, a buddy and I attended the local Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) banquet, an event that always brings together anglers, conservationists, and outdoor enthusiasts. That night, we decided to go in together on a guided fishing trip, one we’d been eyeing for a while. I already knew the guide through work—he’s one of the best in the region—and he’s the same guy who helped me land both my first king salmon and my first steelhead. Needless to say, I had no hesitation when it came time to book another trip with him.
Our trip was originally set for October 27th on the Chehalis River, but after a stretch of heavy rain and unpredictable weather, we had to shift plans and move to a different river system. I’d never fished this particular stretch before, but I was familiar with a nearby tributary that connected to it. Our target for the day: Coho salmon, one of the most exciting fall species to chase here in the Pacific Northwest.
When we launched that morning, the air was cold and crisp, with a thin layer of fog hovering over the water. The fall colors were glowing, reflecting off the calm current as we motored upriver to our first fishing hole. There were five of us total—our guide, my buddy and his wife, another close friend we’d invited, and myself—each of us armed with Prolite Rods built in our SX style, measuring 9’6” and rated 6–12 lbs, perfect for casting spinners and fighting Coho in dark, shallow water.
The action started almost immediately. On the first drift, our buddy hooked into an absolutely chrome-bright Coho, the kind that makes your heart race before you even grab the net. We pulled another from that same hole before moving downstream, where the bite just kept getting better. By mid-morning, we had nine fish in the boat, and it was only a little after ten.
As we searched for our final fish to finish the limit, we bounced from hole to hole, losing a few and laughing off the misses. Then, in true angler fashion, we threw up a prayer—and boom, fish on. That last fish sealed the day perfectly: another stunning, hard-fighting Coho that reminded us exactly why we love this time of year.
When the rods were stowed and the fog had lifted, we looked back on a trip that checked every box—great company, incredible scenery, and a river full of fall-run Coho. Days like that remind me just how lucky we are to live and fish in the Pacific North West.
