Trolling on the Willamette

[Pandion]

When trolling plug-cut herring or a Quikfish on the Willamette, what is the preferred rigging for both types of fishing. I know on the Columbia at Buoy 10 you have a Fishflash attached to a Delta Diver; at the Dam you have a Jet Diver ahead of a Quikfish. What works on the Willamette? Trolling or at anchor?

[Pete]

Most folks troll in the Willamette. Especially this year, since there is so little flow, it may be hard to get gear to work right if you're anchored. It is a little different in different areas. Up near OC, there is a little more flow and more people anchored, but the locations and " local rules " make trolling a better option if you are new to that fishery.

[5-Cents]

Pretty much standard fare on the lower Willy and Columbia is trolling with a lead dropper line with 4-6oz of weight instead of a diver... you want the propper roll on your herring and about a 45 degree angle on your line.

[fishchaser]

Don't let some people fool you. You can catch Springers on the Willamette with a fish flash and delta diver with a herring trolled behind it just like B10. We do it every year and have caught fish every year just like that.

We usually start around the mouth of the Clackamas and troll down river to the Sellwood bridge. Mostly around the Milwaukie harbor. put it out around 12-14 pulls and stay in 20+ feet of water. You would be suprised.

Hot Tamale' won the Hogs-N-Dawgs a couple years back doing this same rig.

Good Luck

[Springer43]

A couple of observation about trolling in the Willy vs. Buoy 10:
1) You might want to consider trolling quite a bit slower if you are dragging a kwikfish than a herring. This seems to make the two difficult to troll at the same time.
2) Don't overlook the value of trolling prawns.
3) Try a small spinner blade in front of a herring or prawn.
4) Be wary of snags, I've caught a springer or two on the deta diver/fishflash routine as well but have also left two or three complete rigs on snags (Ouch $$$$!).
5) I like to have a variety of rigs out but have had the most success with the formula that 5-cents described above.

Happy !