We can all pretty much see that the peak of the pink season has gone and the fish are on the way up their native rivers and streams. All of those pinks aside, we are seeing some of the best coho action in years.

Reports are coming in from all around the island of the giant cohos being caught. Most of us are happy with one in the 9- to 10-pound range but as of late, many fish have been caught weighing 15 to 20 pounds.

The Everett coho salmon derby marked the end of the salmon derbies this past weekend and the second through fifth-place winners caught fish that were 15 pounds or more. The winner was a nice one tipping the scales at 17.11 pounds.

Beach anglers can get in on the coho action on the same beaches that produced pinks. Anglers need to switch from pink buzz bombs and try them in perch or yellow colors. Silver and blue or green crocodiles work well, too.

If you’re in a boat, I would suggest a blue spatter-back squid or a cut plug trolled a bit faster than you would if you were fishing for kings. Look for tidal rips like those around the midchannel bank or around Fort Casey.

Also look for bait. Large gatherings of birds are a good sign but sometimes you just have to spot them yourself. If you get out there and the fish are biting you can sometimes see the herring jump right out of the water.

Once you hook up hold on. Coho are the most acrobatic of all the salmon and put on quite an aerial display.

If you are still in the mood to smoke a few pinks, hit the Stilliguamish River. It is hot right now and pink Dick Nites or pink jigs have been doing outstandingly.

Hunting:

Lots of hunting opportunities are coming up in the next month. Pheasant hunters can’t wait to hit the fields beginning Sept. 29. The fields on Cresent Harbor Road are very popular as well as several others around the island.

Archery deer season has welcomed the rain and cooler weather this past week. I still have not had a report from anyone local, but I have heard of a few being bagged by hunters off the island. You have until Sept. 30 to tag a deer or you are going to have to wait until the late seasons.

Oct. 13 is the opening of the modern firearm deer season and I have to say I am not going to make it this year. Duty calls and the deer will have to wait until next time for me. For others, there are some real good prospects if the weather continues the way it has been.