deperation has set in--

[snowball]

Howdy
I"ll cut right to the chase-
2 and 1/2 years I've lived here, I 've been out at least 1 day, each week. Fishing the Sandy, the Clack, Willamette, this pond, that pond, Suave Island, Muldrum? bar... Bonniville Damn, Oxbow Park, McGiver Park--- Corkies, Spinners, worms, jigs, Kwick fish, bobbers, no bobbers, 8lb test, 25 lb test.. I've done, just about everything I think i can do to catch a steelhead or Salmon. My luck to date is 1 native spring chinoook landed, 2 fish that spit my line out and a rainbow the size of my middle finger. I am at wits end.

I would love to join anyone with some "know" on how to get fish in this state. By no means am I complaining-- and or I'm trying real hard not to. Each outing I've been on has had it's rewards- but alas, it would be nice to grill a steak that didn't come from the store..

Would any of you Smart Fisherman consider taking this nice guy fishing? And or Suggest a good guide at a fair price?

I don't own a boat out here, but have had many years of experience on the water. I moved from Minnesota to be near my daughter- but I didn't think by doing that, I would be getting skunked on my fishing too.

PS, I guess I didn't really cut to the chase, but yall got the point- Everything I read out here is great, and everyone seems very eager to help another fisherman out.... :smile:

[Bait O' Eggs]

snowball said
Would any of you Smart Fisherman consider taking this nice guy fishing? <font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">I guess that smart stipulation rules out Fishbait, Catch and Eat, Waterdog, Gizmo, Gus Orviston........ :wink:

I am headed out in 15 minutes or I would set something up with you snowball. Maybe in the near future. :cheers:

[ 10-11-2002, 03:46 PM: Message edited by: Bait O' Eggs ]

[fishing is life]

hi snoball, thanks for the honesty.

all i can say is we have all been there, unless your dad was a guide.

try to read everything you can get. Salmon Trout Stealheader magazine is a good bet. ifish.net will teach you alot. watch the Hot Tamale show. hire a guide once or twice if you can afford. and anytime you see open seats on i fish get on it. take them up and watch and learn and ask questions. but the bottom line is you have to put in your time to learn the timing of the runs , the techniques. i am from minnesota too and when i got here i was very frustrated for a few years. i will let you know if i get an open seat. maybe we can go walleye fishin sometime to remind us of mn. good luck.

[Smeagol]

Has anyone from I-Fish ever organized an informal on-the-water clinic? Kind of like a roll-call, but with the intent of bringing some of the more experienced anglers together with the newbies. A morning/afternoon/evening (whatever) on the water where the goal wasn't landing that big one, but instead teaching/learning from other anglers in a casual non-intimidating environment.

[fishing is life]

also dont give up. it will get better.

[BottomFeeder]

Go with a guide, they do this stuff for a living and you can learn a great deal from them!

-BottomFeeder

[Fisthead]

Hi snowball,

I'm from Iowa and have been out here four years. There seem to be a lot of midwesterners in the NW with fishing problems! I've caught almost exactly what you've caught; 1 dark native nook, few native steelies, a bunch of small trout, and I've lost probably 4-5 steelhead. I'd invite you out but I'm still learning and know I can teach you nothing. What are you throwing at them? I've only had luck with spinners so far. I've been practicing my drift fishing technique with corkies, but am realizing that the learning curve there is pretty steep. I think the best thing you can do is get a guide and practice as much as you can. I know what you mean about getting your fish from the store. I have yet to catch something I can eat :\

Keep trying and Best of luck!

[24 on/ 48 off]

It's already been said. Spend the $150.00 for a guide. They will teach you all the tricks of the trade.

--spud-- :smile:

[WaterDog]

There are a lot of guys on this board that would take out. A Friday afternoon is probably not the best time to ask for a ride since by this time most boats may be full and guys are already set for the weekend. :depressed:

A guide is a good way to learn a piece of water. Whatever you do, don’t give up. Don’t be afraid to try new things either.

Anyone that will be on T-Bay this weekend keep an eye out for BOE. He’s the one with the fancy “custom hardtop” on an 18 foot Duckworth. If you don’t notice the boat, look for the guy dragging the camo fanny pack behind him smelling like cherry chapstick wondering why his boat is so squeaky. :rolleyes: :tongue: :wink:

[TillamookChinook]

You don't have to be from the Midwest to get skunked a lot. I am a SNOB (Society of Native Oregon Born) and fishing is my passion, but I still return empty handed most of the time. You just have to keep a good attitude.

You can go lots of places and not catch trout and panfish. I like to go to the Deschutes and Trask and not catch steelhead and salmon. I may not be catching fish, but the ones I'm not catching are big. When you get tired on not catching large fish on spinners you can graduate to not catching fish on flies.

[rags]

Snowball,
I live in Tualatin not far from Sherwood. Maybe we can hookup sometime. Shoot me an e-mail and we can make some plans. I don't guarantee fish but we will have a good time trying. I've been fishing Oregon for 30 years and have learned a few things I would be happy to share.

[graybeard]

Hang in there, Snowball. I fished for 4 years before I started catching steelhead and salmon, and I am a 2nd generation Oregonian. I wish I could blame it on being an out of stater. :smile: Go with a guide, and pay attention. things will fall together soon. If it were easy, it wouldn't be near as much fun.

gb

[TJB]

Join your local chapter of the Association of NorthWest Steelheaders. You will get lots of help and lots of opportunities to help others and our fisheries.

[ampersat]

joining the local northwest steelheaders chapter is a great idea. also, drop the money on a guide - whatever you pay, it is money well spent if you want to catch fish. go to fisherman's marine and buy books on techniques you like to fish. study, study, study, then try your best to remember it on the water.

i got started three or four years ago when a buddy took me out coho fishing. i caught two and thought, gee this is easy. from then on, i fished everything like it was coho and spent a lot of great time on the river getting skunked.

a few short tips:
float and jig, pink worm or sand shrimp for winter steelies. it's easy to read the take and you won't lose too much gear. if you're casting more than twenty feet from the bank, you're probably not where the fish are. float and eggs or sandshrimp, or both, for springers. float and eggs for fall chinook. both of these need to be run in the deeper water, preferably at the seam between the fast flow and the slow flow.
coho and summer steelies, got with a spinner. the take is usually pretty definite. by all means, leave drift fishing for later when you're more confident in your ability to catch fish. it requires a touch and feel for the bite most of us have yet to develop.

[Gus Orviston]

waterdog,
I heard BOE took the top off this weekend, whew, didn't want to stand out, so to speak. It will also offer some more air flow :whazzup: :tongue:

Snowball,
Ask earlier in the week and I am sure you will get hooked up if you haven't already. Not uncommon to see open seats offered up throughout the week. And by all means hook up with one of the guides on the board, I have done it a couple times and will do it again, but get on their list ASAP. David and Marty get their weekends booked fast and eventually thier weekdays for the upcoming Winter Steelhead. Probably hard to get a Nook ride but they too have cancellations and they like to keep the seats full. go as a single and you are sure to get a seat.

[TYEE-FISHER]

snowball

You took the first step by being humble. Myself when I stopped doing things my way, and letting go of my ego, and listening to others with the experience the fish hooking ratio started to increase.

I've been fishing for at least 18 years, but only hooking fish for about seven. It took many years for me to "get it", but once you "get it" you'll should see your success increase!!!

Never stop putting in your time. The more that line's wet the better your chance.

Best of luck,

Tony Robbins

[Nookie Monster]

Snowball,
It looks like you got an invite from Rags. I would make my best effort to connect and fish with him. There aren't to many people around that would make a better teacher than him.
Boy, I hope that someday he would invite me to fish with him.

[lor]

Snowball, I know your pain.
I'm originally from Texas, however I moved to Oregon in 96 after spending the previous 3 years in Wisconsin catching crappie, walleye, pike, etc.

Like you it took me along time to figure out how to catch these fish.
My fish Oregon fish was a hatchery trout which looks quite decent while on the river, but when I filleted him like one would do a walleye.
I didn't have enough meat for a fishstick.

I hooked and landed my first steelhead in the fall of 96. I believe this fish took pity on me and sacrificed itself. because it was two years before I touched a second one.

Contrary to popular believe, Salmon and Steelhead fishing is hard. Eventhough Oregon allows you to keep 20, if the truth be told, most people don't fill half their tag.

When I first moved out here, I fished just about every weekend. What I learned from that experience is that its all about timing.
When the fish happen to be in the hole your fishing its fish on.

When you hear there are fish in the river, you got to go then, next weekend may be too late.

[Johnny Mac]

Glad to hear I'm not alone! A year and a half, about 400 hours on the water, and the only fish I have had were four coho last year that fishbait basically had to sweet talk into the boat for me. :grin: I've tried all the things you have too. In fact, I think I've tried some even crazier things like changing clothing detergent, fabric softener, wearing latex gloves, changing hats, getting on my knees and praying (pretty much every time), and just recently throwing pennies into the water. graemlins/eek13.gif My wife doesn't even ask anymore. I always have a good time, but I'm not sure how with the streak I have going here. :grin: I even have bad luck clamming. Go limit out and then get a notice that they have a high level of some acid and that I need to destroy them.....That just bites. Crabs don't seem too offended by me. Those big fish just don't seem to think I've spent enough time on the water though I guess. I guess I'm just a nut, but I'm not going to quit. graemlins/berry.gif

[Navigator]

Snowball. You seem right on track. My first 10 years only produced a dark hatchery coho (and a bright Buoy 10 fish that I was put on by a colleague). Then I took a clinic, Ifish came to being, subscribed to STS, joined Northwest Steelheaders and never turn down an opportunity to go with someone in the know. Now, I can explain with confidence why I am not catching any fish ... :hoboy: (Actually, I have had a few successes and getting better with techniques. The fish will come in due time.) Keep at it.

[corrirod]

Snowball,

Going with a guide is one way but don't think that will instantly kill the skunk. Make sure you go with a well recommended guide, like the ones on Ifish, and not one that will take you fishing just cause you've got the money. I used some guides years ago before Ifish only to find out later they had taken advantage of my lack of local knowledge. One thing I realized fishing with guides is that even the Pro's don't catch fish all the time, and if they can't catch a fish I shouldn't expect myself to catch any.

The best way to learn how to catch fish is to make friends with people that seem to catch alot of fish and go with them every chance you get. Ask them what you're doing wrong and watch them closely. I thought steelhead were a figment of peoples imagination until I finally hooked up with a new friend and he showed me my wrong doings.

Hang in there. You're in the right place now to make those kind of friends. :cheers:

[KingFisher85]

Snowball
Just keep putting in more time. A good two years of only getting 4 or 5 fish on my punch card total. Last year I started to bobber and jig fish for the winter steelhead. I use the smallest bobber that I could cast that could float these small Steelie jigs. White head black body and white tail with 6 to 8 pound leader line and a main line of about 10 or 12. I started watching how the other guys around were getting them and that's how.
I started doing this for the summer run steelhead this year. I was in a fish every 3 trips out. I would hook up with a fish just about every time but might not bank it, lite line fish+rocks.
I also paint the bottom half of my bobber black so when fishing in clear water the fish will not see it as good.
You also need to be fishing the right type of water for what you are using. I have seen spots were there are fish laying and you would think bobber and jig fishing, but you never see anyone ever get anything on a bobber and jig in this spot but 50 yards down stream they are slaying them on bobber and jig.
Ask around the river side. Put in a lot of time and let people know who you are.

[snowball]

Hey Hey
Just want to say thanks for all the great posts. What a relief to know I'm not the only one that has had a lot of unlearning to do, and allot of new learning to take place. Rags, I'll most definitely drop you an email and take advantage of the opportunity-
Kind Regards

[smoky]

Send me an email with your phone #.

Im starting a call list for open seats on my boat.

Ill be on the Wilson for fall Chinook for three days as soon as the rains come.

Im not claiming the role of "smart fisherman".

[CATCH AND EAT]

Snowball, be careful of that BOE guy. He is trouble in the "Mini-me" form. He will quickly change your name from Snowball to "Doughball" in one trip. :shocked: :tongue:

Now don't get me wrong, BOE is a great guy and a lot of fun to fish with. But you need to prequalify him first. Ask this question: Roy, how many springer(s) graemlins/1zhelp.gif did you catch this year? :hoboy: "ONE". :sleep: How many hours? 100,000 + !!!!! Not a pristine track record.

Why would this happen to BOE?? Step into his boat and take a deeeeeeeeeeep breath.....What do you smell??? SKUNK!!!!!!

All kidding aside, take folks up on their offers here. Lots of good fisherman here. And a few ok fisherman like Roy (BOE) too. :cheers: Now that he has that top off everyone can fish with him. The problem with the top is you bang your head on the darn thing. Just ask Gizmo to show you his head! :grin:

You will find that folks are more willing to share with you via the e-mail function than the board itself. Everything is a big secret. graemlins/idea.gif

[Keta]

Snowball,
It took me 35 years to catch my first steelhead :grin: ( :shocked: on the second cast in a steelhead infested creek in Ketchikan Alaska, the first time I ever went fishing for them :shocked: )

Keep at it, the guide tip is good as well as getting an open seat with an IFISH member.

There are lots of good people on this board.
Just one tip though, DON"T LET ANYONE TAKE YOU TUNA FISHING :grin: !!! You will never enjoy salmon or steelhead again.

Do you have the time to drive to Reedsport for some coho trolling in the next week or so? I prefer to fish on Thursday or Friday but due to my lack of a job any day works. I want to go but my friends are out elk hunting.

Good luck.

[papa bear]

I haven't been skunked a lot this year EXCEPT when trying to go after the big stuff -- the advice to go out with a guide is good advice, save up your dimes and spend 'em on one of the good ones here.

Meanwhile, if you want to catch fish that are biting and are not too different in habits from those Eastern fish, try some lakes! I'm from Georgia, and most of what I knew there about bass and bream translates ok to the perch and stocker trout here. I have had a lot of fun this year with brookies and bows, 12 to 22 inches. The freezer is well stocked yet I am no fishing genius, in fact way behind nearly everyone here in skills etc., also I work full time and have a moonlight job as well.

For these lake fishies, go early a.m or late p.m., use a float tube or jon boat or canoe or kayak or one of these newfangled little pontooners, and your favorite spin or fly light-action rig, minimum six foot leader, four pound line. Try a nymph or streamer, maybe a Woolly Bugger, or go with a number ten hook, small piece of night crawler, and split shot. Get out to the dropoffs where the green water stops and the blue water starts. Throw or pay out your bait or fly about fifty feet, and paddle or row (no motors) backwards slowly, using your speed to set different depths, and cover a lot of water. Go quietly through the rises. You will net fish on almost any trip unless the water is too hot, and the bankers will hate you. :wink: