OK guys...

The river MAY fish for a day or two more before the rules BELOW Fuller change over to NON-retention of wild coho.

Chehalis River (Grays Harbor Co.) from mouth (Hwy. 101 Bridge in Aberdeen) to Fuller Bridge.
Sept. 16-Oct. 31. Min. size 12”. Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release CHINOOK and CHUM.
Nov. 1-Jan. 31. Min. size 12”. Daily limit 6. Up to 2 adults may be retained. Release CHINOOK, wild COHO, and CHUM.

The bulk of the hatchery fish (what few of them came back) have already passed thru the mainstem and into the tribs. The already high proportion of wild fish will be further accentuated in the coming month. This is exactly the scenario WDFW predicted will happen. This is prime run-timing for wild Chehalis coho bound for Wynooche and Satsop. Recent rains have likely pushed a good shot of them upriver as well. Definitely a good thing for wild escapement.

If you habitually fish Chehalis below Fuller and encounter a lot of brand new platinum coho with loose scales, please think about relocating if you are seeing a high incidence of high-finners. These are HORRIBLE catch & release fish with a VERY high mortality. You'll be sending a lot of dead fish to the bottom of the river.

Consider fishing Chehalis above Fuller where wild fish will be legal to harvest without impacting Wynoochee or Satsop stocks. Or head far enough up the Satsop where you are far more likely to encounter fish that have already hardened off (scales set and adequately slimed). These wild coho will tolerate and survive their C&R encounter much better than brand new ones. And PLEASE do the system the biggest favor you can as a consumptive user of the resource.... bonk EVERY hatchery fish you encounter!