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Went out in Troutdale area Tues, Wed, and Today.
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My Blue Fox #4 all silver spinner was devoured by a healthy bright chinook of an estimated 12-15 lbs. When I got it to the boat I released it (Willamette rules style) with pliers and then sat in my chair and suddenly realized I had let a keeper go.. oh well.
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A couple of 2-3 lb smallmouth were all that the rest of the morning gave me, but I considered it a good day.
Wednesday was very different. The water was glass and a little lower, revealing some interesting seams. I anchored above where two seams collided with some cooler, milkier colored water. High tide at 9-ish.
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I fished above the seam for an hour in all directions with my spinner. Then i went deeper and anchored, until I heard some swirls back near the seams in 7-8 feet of water.
I tied on my Coho plug, a pink Brads Wiggler, and cast into the most interesting water.
*BANG* FISH ON! I fought it for maybe 10 minutes and then it decided to jump over my bow and shook the plug out right in front of my eyes. I assume it was a Steelie.
I got my composure and recast into the same general area. BANG !!!! This one fought for 15 minutes and was much heavier. Alas, She was a beautiful wild Steelhead and I had to let her go.
After a successful wild Jack Chinook release and yet another mystery fish that fought like a chinook and broke me off, I finally got a fish to the boat. This time, after a violent take and a brief aerobatic display, a 7 lb Buck succombed and became destined for the smoker.
After a few casts I decided to put some sand shrimp gel on the line and the plug. On the second Cast, as I was slowly reeling in the plug, I felt the most Violent Take I had ever felt on this plug. WHAM! The beautiful 26 lb Chinook ran and ran and worked me over for a good half hour at least, before I netted Him and Lay him beside his baby brother.
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Thursday, (Today) I arrived at my hole at 6:30, repeated my routine and after about 2 hours a massive Hen Chinook Took my Coho plug and ran me 3 miles downriver ( I use 12 lb test for those plugs).
I got Lucky and landed her after about 30-40 minutes with the netting help of a friend.
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This fish went straight to Otto's for smoking., as the freezer is full (mostly with shad)
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Hopefully this is a good sign of things to come over the next couple of months.
-Dave Rooksby
My Blue Fox #4 all silver spinner was devoured by a healthy bright chinook of an estimated 12-15 lbs. When I got it to the boat I released it (Willamette rules style) with pliers and then sat in my chair and suddenly realized I had let a keeper go.. oh well.
A couple of 2-3 lb smallmouth were all that the rest of the morning gave me, but I considered it a good day.
Wednesday was very different. The water was glass and a little lower, revealing some interesting seams. I anchored above where two seams collided with some cooler, milkier colored water. High tide at 9-ish.
I fished above the seam for an hour in all directions with my spinner. Then i went deeper and anchored, until I heard some swirls back near the seams in 7-8 feet of water.
I tied on my Coho plug, a pink Brads Wiggler, and cast into the most interesting water.
*BANG* FISH ON! I fought it for maybe 10 minutes and then it decided to jump over my bow and shook the plug out right in front of my eyes. I assume it was a Steelie.
I got my composure and recast into the same general area. BANG !!!! This one fought for 15 minutes and was much heavier. Alas, She was a beautiful wild Steelhead and I had to let her go.
After a successful wild Jack Chinook release and yet another mystery fish that fought like a chinook and broke me off, I finally got a fish to the boat. This time, after a violent take and a brief aerobatic display, a 7 lb Buck succombed and became destined for the smoker.
After a few casts I decided to put some sand shrimp gel on the line and the plug. On the second Cast, as I was slowly reeling in the plug, I felt the most Violent Take I had ever felt on this plug. WHAM! The beautiful 26 lb Chinook ran and ran and worked me over for a good half hour at least, before I netted Him and Lay him beside his baby brother.
Thursday, (Today) I arrived at my hole at 6:30, repeated my routine and after about 2 hours a massive Hen Chinook Took my Coho plug and ran me 3 miles downriver ( I use 12 lb test for those plugs).
I got Lucky and landed her after about 30-40 minutes with the netting help of a friend.
This fish went straight to Otto's for smoking., as the freezer is full (mostly with shad)
Hopefully this is a good sign of things to come over the next couple of months.
-Dave Rooksby
