I first fished the Icicle River for coho in the fall of 2021, on the last day of September. It was a scouting mission really. I didn’t really expect to catch anything, being my first time and all. I noticed that I was the only person in the area below the hatchery. When I stepped off the bank just below the handicapped platform and made my first cast, I was shocked when the rod was almost jerked out of my hand. I managed to pull the fish into shallow water, slide my fingers under the gills and boost it up on the shore. Wow, now I knew why so many anglers fish for these coho. What a thrill. I got the fish up to my truck and laid it out on black plastic bag and cut into the fish to see if was worth putting on the grill. I was amazed at the deep red flesh, even though there was a very distinct kype formed on its lower jaw. It doesn’t look like I will be able to duplicate this experience this season. Coho numbers are too low, and the water is very low and warm. Maybe next year.