Dreaming -
The hooking mortality on coho and other salmon varies considerably depending on the condition of the fish. Typical mortality in the salt is in the 10 to 20% range. When the returning adult fish first hit the rivers, especailly if their scales are loose the "handling" mortality can jump into the ranges that Bob was talking about. Once their scales become "set" (the fish darken up with their river/spawning colors) they become much tougher. At that stage the hooking mortality is typical of we normal associate with steelhead fisheries.

Mortalities can vary considerably dependent a number of variables - in the salt small shaker fish often have high mortality from the "gaffing" by hook sizes designed for larger adult fish and drowning from being drug around on, especially on downsriggers. Adult fish often have higher mortality when caught on bait, especailly in places like the ocean where they are still actively feeding. In rivers the mortality is typically higher with bait than lures, especially for fish caught while plunking, free drifting (long leaders or no weight), bait divers, etc. ; methods where the fish have a chance (time) to take the bait/hook deeply.

Tight lines
S malma