Another Springer Question

[tommo]

We're going to hear a lot of these questions.

Last year was supposed to be gang busters for springers coming up the Columbia. And, there were a lot of fish.
I fish from Wind River on up and it seemed to me and others that I talked to that the season started slow for catch rates and stayed that way in the Wind, Drano, Big & Little White Salmon, Deshutes and Klititat.
I think timing was everything last year.

Did you happen to find the springer spot?

Where was your most productive spot or river?

When?

Bait or troll?

Plugs, etc.?

Most productive method?

I know I'm asking alot. I have paid my dues, and I've done pretty well. But, I always want to improve.

Last year reducing my line size to 10lb from 20 netted more fish whem trolling wiggle warts - Orange firetiger or Michael Jackson.

I'm disabled and have lots of time to learn different methods. I love fishing all up and down the beautiful gorge.

Thanks,

Tom

[Steelie Ben]

You gotta boat?? I could show you my not so secret spot below bonniville. I saw a bunch of boats backtrolling in front of Tanner Creek, I was stuck on the bank and watched them just slay the fish. I would say that every trip down every boat had at least one fish on. I saw several double and even one triple header for about 20 boats fishing there. I think they were doing a lot better than the guys anchored up below the launch there. I couldn't tell whether they were backtrolling divers and bait or Kwikfish though. If you got any room and want a good deckhand drop me a line, I would be happy to go out with you and give some springers a seriouse case of sore mouth.
Ben

[Ramstrong]

With the Higher (Normal) water levels this year there will be no backtrolling below Bonnie this year. It's going to be a whole different ballgame. Last year I did the best on the Wind River and around ST Helens. It was awesome.

ST Helens was a quickfish show and The wind was all about breaking out the good eggs. I heard the theory that the mouth of the wind didn't produce like normal due to the fact that the fish were staying out in the river. I guess the natives fishing out in the main river past the deadline were slaying them.

[driftboater]

Good info here. I'm new to this springer fishing. Ihave done some ocean fishing for salmon. Can't wait to hook into one. What type of gear is key for catching these springers? I've got the boat just not all the gear I might need. Plugs, Bait, Divers, rods, reels, etc? what works?? Thanks

[tommo]

Ramstrong, thanks for the post.

Last year I saw Native americans fishing out in the main Columbia by the wind catch more springers than about 100 boats in the boundry deadline.
Isn't the main Columbia open to all this year?

I used mainly mag warts with limited results. One hour they were there, then they were gone. On and off stuff.

[Bob Barthlow]

tommo,from the Dalles dam to Mcnary dam is open march 16th,but the Bonneville pool is closed.

[husker]

sorry to say i didnt catch a single springer last year....i got boat trip and the rest were plunking from the bank.....ugh.....needless to say i am going to buy a boat soon...very soon....before march 15th.....anyways...the days i went plunking nobody ever seemed to catch anything......not on the bank 1 or 2 in boats but not much at all.......

however i did go to bonneville on that last weekend that was opened in may ....and did the boat slaughtered the fish.....unbelieveable....
i watched this 1 boat hook fish on 6 differnet passes in a row.....

using by binocs...i could see blue diver with metal flashing on the wings....could tell the size but i am guessing the 50'...

all belly strap kwikfish....size...k14 or bigger

[Up-4-Air]

Fished the mouth of the Wind several times last spring with mag warts. I didn't catch a thing. Saw very few caught by other people. Baffled me considering it was supposed to be such a big year for springers. Do you guys expect it to be better this year because there will be more run off this year compared to last year? :whazzup:

[fishbait]

Whole new ballgame this year.... Do yourself a favor and search out those old timers that used to pound um and take them fishing with you... thats what I did last year and this year I have not only some new high/normal water spost, but some techniques that I feel will produce well.

It's absolutely going to be a killer year on the big river this spring, plan on switching arms every other day or pay the price like I did last year.....

[tommo]

I fished the Wind, Drano and Klickitat, but Istayed away from the mouth of the Dechutes because of the crowds. I guess I'll have to try that this year.