stealhead fishing from bonniville on down?

CATCH AND EAT · 07-17-2001, 04:26 PM

So how is everyone doing with the counts this high? A buddy of mine fished this morning above Camas. Had nine on, lost three, released 4 natives and kept one 5 lb'r. One of the natives was estimated over 15 lbs.

So where are all of you experts fishing for these rascals? I know of a few spots but kind of rusty for Columbia tactics.

ampersat · 07-17-2001, 04:33 PM

i've got a buddy who has been fishing up at warrendale. he's had eight fish on for three days of fishing. two of those three days he was only fishing for two hours to get his limit. he's trying to talk me into buying an 11' broomstick so i can join him. anyone out there got a rod they're not using and would like to part with?

CATCH AND EAT · 07-18-2001, 03:24 PM

11ft, thats not even a fair fight! Sounds like he hooks and tows thoses babies to the bank. One other spot I have heard about was Frenchmans Bar but I have no idea where thats at.

Really, I'm looking for a spot for the sled to anchor in. I know of two areas but just not that much about where the slots are.

NorthRiverS · 07-18-2001, 03:39 PM

What is the hot lure for Columbia River steelhead so far?

I'mThe10Percent · 07-18-2001, 04:31 PM

Dynamite! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Drachir · 07-18-2001, 04:58 PM

The hot lure is the Ol' X-4 Flourescent Red Flatfish. Fish it on 5' Leader, and 4' Dropper, and you should do well! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Thumper · 07-18-2001, 05:23 PM

At the mouth of the Lewis the hot set-up has been a dyed prawn on a spinner prawn rig. It is outfishing the old favorite U-20 flatfish and our favorite spinners about 10 to 1. Still learning.........

Spawner · 07-18-2001, 08:45 PM

Thumper,

I saw all the guys using those prawns, but I figured they were fishing for salmon. Are they catching steelhead on those baits? [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

Mrdorkfish · 07-18-2001, 09:04 PM

A major DORK released a nice fat little JACK because he didn't call the updated F&W Columbia Zone report (ME) ......I fished the latter part of the day and heard the morning tide was very good [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] The lure that at the time i am having good luck with is the F7...my buddy (Duwayne) in the past two days has kept 2 of the 5 he has hooked on F7's

Still lots of natives being caught [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Mrdorkfish

07-19-2001, 02:14 PM

Spinners! (But not these LOL)

[img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[ 07-19-2001: Message edited by: ****** ]

Thumper · 07-19-2001, 02:17 PM

Spawner ---- Yes, steelhead are hammering those stupid prawns. Must be the spinner and the prawn for smell. There is the very rare salmon seen too. Mostly small "A" hatchery steelies, occasionally a native or a "B" hatchery. The hog lines are getting the majority of the action, and either hog line seems to be OK.

Jellyhead · 07-20-2001, 07:06 AM

What's up with the "lower" hogline over there at the lewis? It seems like it ties up the Mix line area where everyone trolls.

There's only room for 3-4 boats on the mix line anchored, and there could be a lot more in there trolling [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

Just my .02

Aaron

Thumper · 07-20-2001, 09:27 AM

The two hogline concept works this year because the very low flows of the Columbia are really pulling the green Lewis River water way out(its gonna be a GREAT summer). If the first hogline sets at the channel day-markers (like it always has), then there is plenty of room for the second line, leaving lots of room then for the trollers on the green cut. Both hoglines are very productive and have been getting strikes at about the same rate this week. The problem occurs when the first hogline sets lower than the markers, leaving the trollers with very limited space behind the second line. The answer is for someone to get there at 0-dark 30 and set the upper hogline or talk the few boats there into moving slightly upstream (good luck with that).