Columbia River Steelhaed

[NorthRiverS]

I am planning to fish the Columbia River out of Chinook Landing for summer steelhead on saturday. I thought about fishing the north side of Government Island or the mouth of the Sandy. Does anyone have any suggestions where to fish, how deep, what lures to use, etc. to improve my odds? Also, how has the fishing been? Any information would be helpful and greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Note: just so you know, I do know how to spell steelhead. My fingers hiccupped. :0

[This message has been edited by NorthriverS (edited 07-26-2000).]

[This message has been edited by NorthriverS (edited 07-26-2000).]

[This message has been edited by NorthriverS (edited 07-26-2000).]

[Hooked on fishin]

I've done good at times fishing the mouth of the Sandy. A few helpful hints that produced fish for me. I fish in 14-18 feet of water, not any deeper. I use a k-10 kwickfish and add something called shrimp butter for scent, can't remember who makes it but you'll find it fishermans marine. Fish with a spliter, the lead line should be 20-22" and the kwickfish should be just alittle longer to make sure the fish stays out of the lead line. Remember if you get into fish and catch a native, be sure to handle it with care and always make sure its revived before release. I'll be there saturday in a 21 1/2' trophy, stop by

NS, I moved the "Steelhead out of Chinook Landing" toward the top of the BB, to help answer your Q's. It seems that it might be good to try it further up river? I am going with Bill Sat. and I think we'll try it out of the Fishery and up along Ives Island. Another good idea would be to troll spinners, small Flatfish, or Warts around just off the mouth of Eagle Cr. a short ways above Bonneville Dam. You can bank launch small boats there under the I-84 overpass, or launch at Cascades Locks and run down there. Hope you find the biters! - RT

[Fish mojo]

Also read my posts on Chinook Landing Steelhead. Did well 2 weeks ago (2 wild fish) off Gov Island. Last week current dropped way off there. No fish for 2 hours. Moved up to mouth of the Sandy. Better current, fished in 15 feet but was assulted by grass and weeds. You would probably do better further up river. Does anyone know any good spots out of Rooster Rock for steelies?

[Sandybar]

I am going to take my son up to The Fishery and try some steelhead fishing on Saturday. I would love to see my son catch a steelhead...never has caught one yet. Need some fishing advice (or lies) for the area.
First do you use spreaders or three way swivels, how much lead are you using?
Do prawn spinners w/prawn tails work?

I have sturgeon fished in the area quite a few times so I know the area for sturgeon, but not for steelhead.

RT you said in an earlier post that trolling in front of Eagle creek can also be produtive. How far is it from Cascade Locks? See y'all on Saturday and lets see if I can get my son to say Dad I have a FISH ON!

[wiser]

A buddy of mine called yesterday and said he and two others in his boat hooked 8 and landed 6(including three clipped fish) right at the 34 marker out of Chinook Landing. He said they were done fishing by 11:00. Used red/black spot F4 flatfish.

SB- It sounds like fishing early out of the Fishery (take exit 35 I think) would be a good idea early. The run down to the mouth of Eagle Creek is about 3 to 4 miles (I hope). The water just a ways out from the creek is deep in spots and has the cooler water mixing in. And the fish have just climbed the ladders so the area below the point out from the creek is a good resting/recovery spot for the fish. It is erratic there, but can get real good at any time of the day. This place can also be very good for fall 'Nooks in Sept./Oct. trolling Warts or spinners deep; or casting/retrieving them in closer near the creek mouth from boat or bank; or bobber and bait too. Don't tell anybody . - RT

[Sandybar]

RT you can bet my lips are sealed! Nothing gets out of the reel truth! Thanks

I just talked to Jen & Bill on their cell phone from the Columbia by Ives Is. Not good fishing news today. They had no bites yet and for some guides who work that area no fish either (daybreak to 11:00 a.m.). I may have to come up with plan B for Saturday. Off Eagle Cr. is a prospect but may not be any better than below the Dam. I think the better boatfishing prospects would be off the mouth of the Deschutes R.(or up the lower river is good), off the mouths of the Wind, Big White Salmon, Klickitat, or into Drano Lake (Col. inlet that needs Wash. lic./steelhead tag). Some big rivers are also still putting out a few, such as the Santiams and the Cowlitz. Toss a coin I guess. Fishing was so good in recent weeks but seems to be slowing for some reason? We'll see. The water temp on the N.F. Lewis was fine Tue. and I don't think it will be a factor until later in the summer. Any other ideas out there? Not asking for secret spots, just well known ones like I mentioned that are productive right now. Thanks. - RT

[This message has been edited by RT (edited 07-27-2000).]

[Kwiky]

Hey RT - I fished the S.Santiam from Foster dam to Pleasant Valley on Sunday, and managed to boat only a single dark nooker without any steelhead hookups. Friends of mine also drifted Friday and Saturday with no steelies. This is is stark contrast to the good fishing for the previous couple of weeks, so maybe the little thunderstorms we had around that time threw them off. I did pass over the top of plenty of good looking fish, so they didn't go anywhere . Once you get below the deadline and Wiley Creek hole, pressure was pretty light, too.

[Kwiky]

Sorry about the double post, but I didn't mean to put a frowny face on that previous post - must've screwed something up.

[Oakie Drifter]

Heres my latest report. Fished the mouth of Eagle Creek yesterday. Trolled everything we could think of and also tried bobber and bait. The fish finder didnt help locate any fish there either. Now, today, my friend called and said that they knocked them dead (steelhead) on the Columbia. They launched at Chinook landing and went downriver to the first island and fished in a hog line on the Washington side. Success came on a orange flatfish. Wish Id gone there instead!

[chuck 'n' duck]

I'm headed to the lower Deschutes this weekend for steelies on the fly rod. I will be camping at the Rec. area campground Fri. and Sat. evening. If in the area, R.T., you should stop by. Site B42. I wouldn't mind meeting the man, the myth, the legend.

Unfortunately, my buddy @ fisherman's marine told me that the lower river has turned a bit slow as of late. Oh well, it will be nice to get out and cast a fly.

I'll post the results of the trip on Mon.

Chuck 'n' Duck