Northwest Fishing Reports

i'm looking to add some spinners and spoons to my arsenal for steelies, right now i mainly fish bait and jig & bobber, and get kinda confused by all the options at sportco. I got a few #4 vibraxes that i've been told are good patterns. Any help would be appreciated.

I suggest reading "Spinner Fishing for Steelhead, Salmon and Trout" by Jed Davis

I thought it was a very interesting book.

Also check out the spinners at http://www.rvrfshr.com/

Don't be arfaid to add jerk baits and plugs to that list:-"

My favorite hardware form shore:

SPINNERS:

In this order; sizes are:

Size 3 or 4 Steelhead and coho
Size 5 Chinook

Size 3 seems to be an excellent steelhead color...... hint hint.



Chrome = Murky water or low light conditions in clear water.
Brass = Medium light conditions in moderate water, or low light conditions.
Copper = Clear water, high light conditions.



For this one I prefer the orange body w/ brass blade.... Size 3 for steelies, size 5 for chinook. Works in all conditions.



Same deal, prefer the brass blades. Same deal for sizes as above.



Last but not least the size 4 Mepps Black Fury, a wonderful spinner.

SPOONS:

Anything by RVRFSHR

I especially like the "rvrwaggler" in 50/50



All of their spoons feature sickle hooks, bonus!

Second favorite spoon is the oh-so-basic teardrop wobbler:



I prefer chrome, brass, 50/50, orange and chartreuse.... although the colors you can find are endless

Hope this helps!! Honestly, its all about personal preference.... The only reason I prefer these patterns is due to the fact that they have produced for me time and time again in the past, not that other patterns wouldn't have produced as well. Just experiment. The key is to just keep casting, hookups are inevitable!!!

Love the RVRFSHR spoons.

Nicely said, and illustrated Matt. That should be a great resource for any who are intersted in hardware!!

thanks matt, that's exactly what i needed to get started. needed an extra weapon for the wiley ol' steelies

don't forget the all red panther martin body and gold blade its deadly on them

Rvrfshr spoons rock! Don't forget the little cleo though. Copper 2/5 oz with the sickle siwash.

Little Cleo Hammered Nickel is my choice. I purchased some RVRFSHR spoons late in the winter run and didn't get a chance to use them but the little cleos did the trick for me!

There are 2 Pig Metals swimming around with RVRFSHR Spoons for jewelry. 1 lost Saturday by me(faulty knot)and 1 lost Tuesday by Since2(8lb Fluro leader). But my go to Spoon is the KO Wobbler.

i ended up getting a cpl rvrfshr spoons, the brass, silver, and gold vibraxes. An got suckered into buyin a bc 50/50 spoon cuz it's silver an gold plated 8 bucks (but boy does that sucker shine in the water)

Will Dick Knight spoons in 50/50 chrome gold work? I know they wont flash as bright, but will they work under optimal conditions?

Hank...they will work..I haven't caught any off mine..well need to go buy another since mine is stuck to a rock in the river.

If a trout will bite it, so will a steelhead.

Thanks Scott, I think I will give it a try.

Here's a question for you all..

Hooks on spoons, should the hook face up or down? Or does it even matter?

Looking at pictures (see the rvrfshr spoon above) it seems that the hook is facing down. But then I am thinking that if the hook is facing up you would have a better chance of setting the hook (since you are pulling up) and with the hook up, less chance of snagging.

I am probably way over thinking this - but thought I would throw it out there..

Gringo...I am no pro on these spoons but I really don't see a up or down on the spoon, they are going to spin and if you use a swivle they are going to sping even more. Some people use swivles some don't........I do just to help with line twist.

spoons are not intended to spin. They are supposed to flutter. Larger end and bend indicate the hook end. Always place hook up with concave side of spoon down. use siwash hooks for this to avoid snag ( will not reduce hook ups cause steelies try to kill 'em)

and anything big red and shiny!

Don't be afraid to be creative and original! I've landed them one 50/50 white and pink yarn w/ a sand shrimp colored hook...( was in a real pinch!)... take your "a- typical" colors and make your own: )