Thank you. That is very interesting. I'll try to find "quick release clip" on the internet.

Thanks for responding. I was fishing at Willow Grove. I have both a WA and an OR license. WA is out of state. As to the multiple hooks, both states allow up to three hooks per line.

Could use some" tricks of the trade", if you will. Went plunking in the Columbia for the first time (trying for a Chinook). Was told to use 8-12 oz of lead. The problem was getting the lead and lure out to the slot. Some people were using 13' rods, and others were setting trot lines (they didn't call them that, but the three baits covered about 12' when stretched). They took them out in kayaks and dropped sand bags to hold the line in place. How else can you get your lure out that far? I have a surf casting rod, but I think the tip might be too stiff for the salmon to take the offering. I suppose I could cast the weight and then attach the lure to the main line and let it work down to the swivel, but that would limit it to one lure. How do you do it? Thank you.

Thanks, Fisinmaniac. Moved to Portland from Texas and have never caught one. Saw one landed at Kelley Point from the bank. Is this area do you think it is better to anchor up or to bank fish? Do you use the same kind of bait that you do for catfish?

YeS, I live on a floating home in N Portland Harbor (Hayden Island). Have a 17' Lund. Usually anchor fish because I am by myself and don't really know what I am doing. Trying my best to learn. Really only use the boat on the Columbia or the Willamette and Multnomah Channel.

John, go across the river to Leavenworth. Behind the National Guard Armory there is a small lake, no outboards allowed. I used to park in their lot and carry my skiff to it. Caught many a bass. Not private but I never saw anyone else fishing. I only went on weekdays after work, so I don't know what the weekends were like. This was years ago, but it may be worth the drive to you.

Got this one on the Columbia Tuesday. Columbia is closed now to give the URB a chance to get to their spawning grounds, but the Willamette is open. Try the Multnomah Slough with a green fish flash and a green label herring or 3.5 spinner. Look for 20’-30’. Hope this helps.

Floated a pink worm.

I have caught them from the bank on the NF Nehalem and at Oxbow Park on the Sandy. Going back there tomorrow.

Leon, I, too, live in Portland. Actually on the Columbia. Had never fished for salmon & steelhead until I moved here a few years ago. I am fishing once a week trying to learn. Certainly different from fishing for bass and crappie the last 60 years. If you hear from Ken, I would be interested in joining you on some trips.

By the way, the coloring and its placement for many types has a function other than being able to see it. There is a point where the weight of the rig matches the floatation of the bobber. This is usually where the colors change or there is a contrasting line. At this point the fish can take the float under with the least resistance. Not all floats, but generally the teardrop and stick styles are made this way.

Totally understand. Being from Texas I, too, felt that way. BUT I did not understand obsession until I started fishing for steelhead here in the northwest. In Texas I didn't get up at 3:00 AM in order to drive through snow, stand in a stream with 38 degree water for six hours waiting for that one bite and when it comes, being ecstatic.

I agree with the small walled PVC. Have taken mine to Mexico, Costa Rica, and Belize without a problem. Added advantage is that I cushioned them around the tips with packages of flukes and swimbaits that I intended to use. Then I added a windbreaker since I was wearing a coat that I would not need until I returned to the cold. Worked for me.

Well, I did get the lures. Frankly I don't think they do anything that I can't do twitching or with a wacky rig. By the way, yes, I bought the banjo lures AND Roland Martin"s helicopter lures AND the "banned in most states" bleeding lures that had water activated lights. By the way, we were very successful with flukes at Lake El Salto and I never saw anyone try a banjo with or without the rubber band.

This steelhead made my last angling day of the year an enjoyable one. Happy New Year, everyone.

<IMG_0530.jpg>