Thanks JimRed.
Will work on finding patterns that might imitate a 4-5” herring.

Good Morning Everyone.

I’m hoping someone can help me out. I am exploring the use of artificial flies for Chinook Salmon. Hoping someone in the Forum who has been successful trolling flies for fall Chinook can give me some guidance.
We have been moderately successful trolling spinners and bait (herring & anchovies) for Kings, but would like to add flies to the tackle box.
Would appreciate any help with patterns and how to troll them in the ocean and estuaries of the Pacific.

Thanks for your insights!

I would encourage you to take seriously the suggestions to look at a small utility trailer. If your car can pull a small trailer, it might be a good option and give you versatility with other things as well.
It might also help protect your lower back.
If a trailer is not an option, get the lightest, most stable boat you can find.
Be safe. Stay aboard whatever you launch😉

lakemichiganangler.com has charts posted on this.
I also believe that Scotty downriggers also publishes blowback charts.

Hope they are helpful.

Hello Saw1.
If we could get to the lake at ice out we could topline for them, but the park usually doesn’t open the roads until later due to deep snow and limited budgets.
At least that is what I hear...

Thanks for the shout back. In MT
we have Chinook salmon in Fort Peck Res. which is about 8 hours from my home, and I understand that Idaho has a fishable population in Coeur D’Alene Lake.
From what little I know about them, the guys that are successful use downriggers to fish them...
Not sure how the population is sustaining, but the seasons and limits are in the regs for those states.

I am also looking for downrigger equipment to fish the Lake Trout in Yellowstone Lake when the ice comes off.

Thanks Sammygee!
I some other Scotty products that I have been happy with. I will certainly check them out!
Thanks a bunch.

Thanks for the recommend. I always appreciate tested equipment. I will take a look!
Thanks.

Good Morning All!

I am curious if any of you have researched downriggers and have any recommendations.

I have an 18’ Weldcraft Angler that we use on local lakes and out on the Oregon Coast. We are hoping to troll for Lake Trout, Kokanee and eventually, land locked Chinook salmon.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Thanks Anglers!

Which “Rock Creek” in Montana?
The most famous is about 4 hours west of Billings by car.
Bozeman is two hours closer to Rock Creek and is served by several major airlines - fly there.

How old is the Bimini?
Might start checking with the manufacturer of the Bimini top, if that is unknown, I’d check with the boat manufacturer and see if you can get a name and/or part number...

Good Morning War Eagle!
I have never fished in Iowa- would love to some day, but haven’t yet.
I’m sorry I don’t have specific help.
I’d check with your local tackle shops or local fishing guide services for their recommends.
Best of success to you! Send pics of your fish!

Wild Rainbows (and hatchery fish that live long enough and learn to eat real food) are opportunistic predators and feed on a wide variety of organisms including other small fish, terrestrial and aquatic insects (adults and larvae) , worms, etc.
Anything you fish with should be or imitate what they have available in their environment (moving or still water).
Make sure your choice of bait is legal within the water you fish. Here in Montana, there are areas where it is illegal to use anything but artificial flies or lures. Check your regulations.

Hatchery rainbows as it has been said dream about eating pellets, so bait that looks/smells like hatchery food should produce.

Part of the allure of fishing (pardon the pun) is to try and figure out what the fish are interested in eating. Spend time learning about the food sources in the water you fish, when those food sources are most available (time of year, time of day, etc) and have fun trying to anticipate what the fish will be looking for. When you catch one, open it’s stomach and see what it has been eating, then fish with something that looks like what they are eating or fish with that kind of live bait.
The “best bait” for rainbows (as with most every species of fish) will change with seasons, weather, time of day, water temperature etc.
Have fun learning as much as you can about the specie you are trying to catch. It will make your time on the water richer and more productive.

My two cents worth ....

We were fishing for Chinook salmon in Oregon last year and I hooked a seal.
I’m guessing he weighed 250-300 lbs.
Fought it for about 20 minutes before we got close enough to release it by breaking the leader.
Sometimes they like herring as much as the salmon do!

Greetings from Montana!
New to the group and looking forward to the community interchange of thought and information.