Korey Loc: Roy washington

Hi I went fishing today at the Puyallup River and people around me were catching fish but me I couldn't catch any thing not Evan a cold . Is my leader too long or to short wrong color of corky or am I just not getting the weigh right this is what I am using 20 lb line mono line and a small cannon ball I would say around quarter ounce mybe lighter not to sure my leader is 15 pound test its around 5 to 6 ft long I am using a size 01 hook barbless and pink yarn and pink corky not a big corky but medium size I am using a long lamaglass rod with a bait caster I probly spelled lamaglass wrong so forgive me for that I need help if some one can give me some advice I sure would appreciate it thanks

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Well Korey, my BEST advice would be to observe the people around you and see the guy catchin the most fish and see what setup he was using.
At least look at the closest person that is catchin and see what they are usin and do what they are doin.
Also, notice WHERE in the river the most fish are bein caught.
Fish travel in LANES and sometimes they aren't in the waters that you might be fishin.
There are some places where there might be fish all across a section of the river but a lot of places there are certain routes that they swim and if you're not fishin where they are then you aren't goin to catch fish. It's as simple as that.
Hopes this helps. Keep us informed . Good luck and tight lines.

Jeremy Loc: America

I agree wholeheartedly with SAW1. If you’re on the bank it might be hard to get upstream or downstream of the other anglers. If in a boat it’s much more possible. He said exactly what I would suggest. If you were asking me about leader length for salmon I would say your leader is a bit too long though. If you’re trolling a 25 lb monofilament leader is good. If bank fishing we used 15 lb Maxima Chameleon with 12-15 lb Max Chameleon leader. Leaders were usually just about 18” to 3 feet. Corky and yarn with some fresh salmon egg with skein in an egg loop 1/0 or 2/0 should work. Be sure your hooks are sharp enough to stick into your thumbnail. Talk to the people that are hooking fish. Hopefully they will share information. Have several colors of corky / yarn leaders prettied so you can switch colors etc. the salmon eggs will sink the hook the corky will help it float. Once you figure out the right set up I think you should be able to BBQ or smoke your catch.

Good Luck. We are all looking forward to seeing your catch on here. There is a bunch of informative videos and information online if you query the websites etc.

Korey Loc: Roy washington

Thank you I appreciate ever word of advice you have given me especially the leader size that's a good help thank you

US MARSHALL Loc: LAKE LANIER GEORGIA

can you feel your rig ticking the bottom as it drifts ? (you should) I would switch to pencil lead a cannon ball is going to hang up to much , the guys are right too 3 foot leader is more than long enough

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

This advise is great. However take it a step further. Put your rod away in the car. Return to the river and just watch the expert. for an hour or two. Without your rod, you are no threat and can get closer. Look at gear including rod action, reel, line, leader, weight hook size What size hook and what is on the hook and how it is hooked on? Then watch the fisherman. Is he facing the water? Is he swinging with the drift? How long before he starts his retrieve. How high is his rod tip? Is he delicately short snap setting his hook in fish and snags or is he trying to rip the fishes lip off. Is he feeding the bite or setting at every bump? Watch the rod tip. Is he bumping the bottom a lot or is his drift pretty free? I could go on, but I believe you get the point. You can not do that kind of observation while trying to fish or just taking a few minutes to get a general idea of what the guy is doing. Note: If the fisherman asks what you are doing, just tell him you are learning from an expert. In most cases he will just smile or even give you suggestions. If you have your rod with you, expect the opposite reaction.
1. plan to spend at least an hour
2. stay out of the way
3. have no fishing gear with you
4. don't take photos without asking (many fishermen are very solitary)
5. let him initiate a conversation if he wants to. Remember, this is an observing session, not a social gathering
6. Some of the best fisherpersons are women so when I say he I am referring to he or she.
Now put you rod away. Observe then come back tomorrow and catch some fish

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Korey, You can't get any better advice then what these guys have given you. Good luck.

NJ219bands Loc: New Jersey

Wow 😮 lots of great advice on this website.

CBW556 Loc: WA

I’ll be down there next Saturday, 02 September, about 50m up river of the “famous” sandbar (see dropped pin on pic) around 7am.

I’ll be more than happy to fish with you and offer any assistance.
I’ll have a buddy of mine with me I’m “teaching” too.
I’ve pretty good luck landing pinks (and one wild chinook), and will share my set up, what I’m feeling and looking for, and anything else you’d like to know.

(I am no expert, by any means, but you’re welcome to fish with me.)

It may be stupid crowded but it’s super chill.

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

Now THIS a post with an excellent thread. Bapabear's advice is one of the most "sage advice" responses I've read on this forum to date ...thanks Bapabear !
I would add, but it would be sorta redundant info, with the exception of ....if you can swing it financially, hire a guide (like Bapabear...lol) for a morning or a day. Good ones that have been in the area or on that stretch of river alot....AND are well spoken of if you can inquire about them before committing, are the best use of your money. Good luck on your quest !

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Thank you.

Kerry Hansen Loc: Bremerton, WA

I have not fished the Puyallup river, but I have fished the Cowlitz for Springers and Steelhead. I have done well and Corkies is what I used. For Springers I use a minimum 6' leader and for Steelhead a 2' - 3'. And because I think stealth is best, I used 11 lb leader. I have a ton of corkies I would buy different colors by the 100s that I take along. The size of what I use is about 3/8" to 1/2 ". The colors that worked best were the "clown" which was a white one with tiny pink speckles the white would glow in the dark when energized, Orange shades like eggs different shades and a few other favorite colors. But you need to have on hand many colors and observe what color is working for others. I have seen because of certain light conditions that odd ball colors have worked like a black or dark purple corkies. You need to use a Slido that rides above your swivel on your main line and suspend your small sinker from it. This will allow the fish to pull on the "BAIT" and not feel the weight. You need a very good reel and a long rod to be able to heave your very light weight a long ways. You want just enough weight that it taps the bottom once in a while just to let you know you are down there, but not rolling/sliding along the bottom hanging up all the time and not spooking wary fish. For the rod you don't want what I call a broom stick/stiff rod that you have to have a ton of weight to get any distance. My rod, That I built a long time ago for both Steelhead and Springers is an old G Loomis IM 6 9 1/2' 8 -12 LB. Here is how you get the distance. When you start the cast as with a fly rod, you start the rod forward and the weight will drag the tip behind. You have the rod going forward at a fixed rate and then the tip of your rod starts to unwind to catch up adding extra velocity giving you that extra tip speed and distance. If you have that "Broom stick", it bends very little so you don't get the distance with the tiny weight. For my main line I used 50 lb super braid which is the same dia as 12 LB mono. The reason I used that size line was because there was a lot of balls of line on bottom so if I got tangled in it I could break out of it without loosing a bunch of line too. I would just wrap the line around my coat sleeve and let the rod lay on the line. never use the rod to pull loose. Also the protection to the rod being over lined was my 11 LB leader, the fuse like the fuse box keeps you house from catching fire because the wiring got overloaded and heated up.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Good report Kerry

TragicLyric Loc: WA

Personally I like to use a 3/4 once cannon ball with a 8 to 9 ft leader of 12lb test line with a 2/0 hook, 2 small corkeys and light on the yarn. Most of these fish are swimming right next to the bank so always give it a nice hook set at the end of your drift. Hope this helps, tight lines!

CBW556 Loc: WA

There is zero water visibility on the Puyallup right now so I don’t think corky, bead nor yarn color matter.

I’ve seen fish caught in every color corky/bead imaginable.

I run a 9’ 15lbs hiviz mono leader with a #1, #2 or 1/0 hook, one #10 lil corky one neutral buoyant bead, off a 2–4” long pencil weight, tied to 40lbs hiviz braid on the main line (3-way swivel).

Rod is either a 9’6” ML action or a 9’9” M action.

The fish can’t see the hiviz line due to zero water visibility but it makes landing them easier.

I watch the rod tip for the tell tale, rhythmic, “Tap tap tap tap” of the weight bouncing off the bottom and my main line flowing down river with the current.

When there is a pause in the tap and the mainline slows down compared to the current it’s either a fish or a snag (less likely with a pencil weight).

I give a slight tug (45* on the rod to 50*) and if releases and flows down river again, I’m clear of the snag.

If there’s a bend to the rod and pressure, I give it a decent hook set (rod goes vertical) and start to reel as I’ve probably a fish-on (or I’m really snagged…).