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//Coho

Coho

The acrobat — pound for pound, the fighter of the family.

Quick IDBlack mouth, white gums; spots on upper tail lobe only.

The fish

Coho, or "silvers," are the fighter of the family pound-for-pound — famous for launching clear of the water again and again when hooked. If a fish jumps five times, it's probably a coho. They're the dominant fall salmon in many BC rivers and, being aggressive and willing to chase bright colours, they're one of the most fun species to target on light gear.

How to identify

coho showing white gumline and spots on upper tail lobe only

Beads that bite back — hand-poured in BC

  • Black mouth but a white gumline — the key contrast with the chinook's all-black mouth.
  • Spots on the back and the upper lobe of the tail only — this single feature separates coho from chinook, the two most-confused species.
  • Medium size, typically 7–14 lb, the most brilliant chrome of all the salmon in the ocean. Spawning fish turn deep maroon-red over the entire body, head and tail included, with a dark back and a pronounced kype in males.

Lifecycle & migration

Coho spend one to two years in freshwater — often in smaller streams and tributaries rather than the big mainstems — before going to sea, returning as the dominant fall run.

Run timing & conditions (BC)

  • Primarily September–November. Hatchery coho (adipose-clipped) may be retained in many rivers while wild fish must be released — check the fin.
  • Best conditions: coho pile into smaller tributaries and respond aggressively to fresh, rising or freshly-dropping water. They're the species most willing to hit a bright, moving presentation.

Best BeadnFloat beads

  • Low & clear: 10mm (10–12mm), peach / natural / pale pink — downsize and soften when it's low.
  • Green & dropping (prime): 14mm (12–16mm), chartreuse / bright pink / orange-roe — chartreuse is a classic coho trigger.
  • High & coloured: 16mm (14–16mm), chartreuse / hot pink — bright and larger for aggressive, low-vis coho.
  • Blown out: 19mm, chartreuse — big and bright below a clear trib.

When coho run

Updated for 2026

Coho are the dominant fall run on the Vedder, Fraser, Harrison and Squamish, arriving from August and fishing best September through November — especially once fall rains bring rising or freshly-dropping water. Hatchery coho (clipped adipose) may be retained on many rivers; wild fish must be released.

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EarlyPeakTapering

Fished on:

Beads that match

Tap any condition to open the full tool.

Low & clear10mm (10–12mm)

Coho spook in clear low water — downsize and soften the colour.

Open tool
Green & dropping · prime14mm (12–16mm)

Coho are aggressive to bright colours — chartreuse is a classic coho trigger.

Open tool
High & coloured
Check live river conditions before you go — level, flow and the bead that matches today's water.View rivers →
Vedder River ·
Fraser River (at Hope) ·
Harrison River ·
Squamish River
When do coho run in BC?
Coho are the dominant Fraser Valley fall run, arriving from August and fishing best September through November, especially after fall rains bring rising or freshly-dropping water.
16mm (14–16mm)

Bright and larger for low-vis, aggressive coho.

Open tool
Blown out19mm (16–19mm)

Big and bright below a clear trib; otherwise wait.

Open tool
Open Bead Match for Coho →
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