Need lure advice on the wilson for steehead

[bauer buoy]

I use alot of bluefoxes on the wilson for winter steehead.
The only color I got one fish last yr. with a blue #4. I also try 3's in the shallow areas, but I try other colors that are common. I need a little advice. :smile:

[River Ranger]

I would try other methods like Bobber and jig or Drift fishing as those produce very well.Pink is tough to beat.
RR.

[bauer buoy]

I know! I have a hard time fishing that way. :depressed:

[blacktail519]

Or how about Corkies and yarn, and or eggs

[bauer buoy]

Iuse those all the time when the lures are not working

[pnwcoast]

A diverse approach works for me. Varied lures, bait, jigs under floats. Use what you need to use based on what, when and where you are fishing. A good bet for me has always been drift fishing sandshrimp and if I wanted to use hardware, I might use one of them big ol' wobblers like a Wardens in green or blue. Silver has done it for me also. Nothin' like a hit on hardware!

[Bait Bucket]

I do like dark green size 3s and 4s but you will probably have to paint them yourself as I have never seen dark green (and funky brass bodies) commercially available.. I generally like any dark spinner. I usually will turn a fish or two if they are in the river. Good luck.

[bauer buoy]

I've tried chartreus, blues, greens, and even copper. I guess if I keep on throwing a color at them they might take it.

[seabass]

I have not had the time for steelhead lately but in past years (when I was a steelheadaholic), if the water was low and clear, I was very succesful with a green mepps or a red and chrome steely. If the water had color I never used lures.

Good luck

Seabass

[pnwcoast]

Maybe it's "where" you are throwing the lure. 2 foot depth or more, (on a sunny to partly cloudy day, water a nice clear (for hardware) to just a bit green,) riffle on the surface.

[Sir Fishalot]

If you're serious about spinner fishing then you must read Spinner Fishing for Steelhead, Salmon, and Trout by Jed Davis. This book will tell you everything you need to know about spinner fishing.

Also, it's a good idea to stick to one or two different tactics and try to learn them inside and out. If you constantly switch from say jig fishing, to spinner fishing, to spoon fishing, to drift fishing and never quite get a complete grasp of each tactic then you will find it hard to consistently catch fish.

Best of luck!

[pnwcoast]

You are right, this is good advice. I read a book many years ago that taught (to those who would learn) learning a river very well. Just one river, very well. And I second Jed's book.

[bauer buoy]

Ido really good using them on the Deschutes River the last 10yrs. but never on the wilson. Is there a trick that I don't know about?

[M'kay13]

Buy Jeb Davis' book and Herzog's book on spoon fishing.