Targeting Spring Chinook - What are your methods?

[BigSkyHunter]

Greetings Folks,

I have fished for spring chinook a fair amount on small North West Oregon coastal streams. I have never read too many threads on here about others targeting these fish. This is my favorite run of fish for many reasons. The quality of the fish and size is unreal, not to mention that they will continously take you down to your backing before the fight culiminates.

It is about that time of year when these streams open for angling if they have not already. I wanted to see who else targets these fish and if your patterns vary from summer steelhead other than the obvious hook size. Also what weight rod and style are you using for these magnifiscent creatures? Maybe we need to have a fly swap for springers???

BSH

[AndyK]

There aren’t too many Ifish fly fishermen that target Springers (or fall Chinook). I sponsored a competition last year and there were not many entrants and I was the only one posting fish.

I caught eleven Springers last year. Largest was over 22 pounds. Most were caught nymphing, but I caught a couple swinging a fly.

I am trying to expand my methods. I’ve actually spent some time casting a shooting head off some Columbia River beaches this year. The season on the Columbia closes 15 April (unless it is extended). I am also thinking about hitting some tidal waters.

My attitude is that if there are fish present, they can be caught on a fly; I just need to determine the best presentation method. That is why I have used the services of a guide in the past (and in the future), to learn different “effective” techniques.

[frankenfish]

Andy is the expert. I have used a long leader and a weighted fly (or a bb about 18-24 inches above the fly) on a dead drift, or a sinking line, about a 4' level leader and again, a slow dead drift seems to be best. Line and fly choice depend on the depth, speed and temperature of the water and distance from the ocean. Inevitably, there is a swing at the end of the drift, but they usually seam to take it on the dead drift. For Chinook I have not used indicators to my recollection.

I have had decent success on Fall Chinook on coastal rivers in tailouts, above a heavy riffle, where they must rest for a time, as long as it is a few feet deep and the water is a bit broken. Again, on a dead drift.

When I get lucky, I wait for a definite pull on the line. I don't want to set the hook if I accidentally line it. However, half of the takes are hard takes, a strong grab and hard pull, so you know they purposely took the fly. One time, when I set the hook as soon as I saw the line stop, I had hooked it on the outside of the mouth. But, that was only once. (I am not including the occasional accidentally foul hooked fish on a fin, etc).

[BigSkyHunter]

Thanks for your input guys.

[TallFlyGuy]

I hooked up with quite a few last year. I was never able to land the dang things. I finally landed one this year already. My solution...Bigger hooks. I was using tmc 100's size 4s last year. I saw Andy out on the river last year, and kind of mentioned it to him, and he said use bigger hooks. Well I did, I'm 1 for 1. I use a size 1 ssw owner, the new straight line eye, off the back of my tube fly.

I have found that springers will stage up in moderate pools and tailouts. If you can find them when they aren't so deep, and the sun isn't on them, they seem to be "grabby". Big black flies, with magnum rabbit strips has been the ticket.

Looks like lots of rain next week, we should get a push of fish. I'll be out there!

Justin

[mgdfly]

I tooa couple last year out of the Wilson, and several 2 years ago as well. I fish my own custom WF line with a heavy running line so I can better controll my drift/swing. They all came on large MOALs or my Super tube flyin either orange, pink, or Peach tones. I try to keep the fly on as slow a swing as possible, and on a couple of occasions have been able to just hang the fly in front of a fish untill the became visibly irritated and inhaled it! Quite a rush! I usually fish my 9 1/2 ft 8/9 wt. to cast bigger flies, as well as controll those fish, they are sure beasts.

[frankenfish]

YES. I agree. Bigger hooks. You can tie a small or sparse fly on a bigger hook.