Spring Chinook

[Steelheadin360]

I havent heard of any caught, but 20 fish went over Bonneville the other day!

[Brat Bonker]

seemed like a guide,I believe phil stephans, on the Cowlitz has picked up a couple unless they are old pictures

[Gringo Pescador]

I havent heard of any caught, but 20 fish went over Bonneville the other day!

That turned out to be bad data - they were testing some kind of counting software and the test data ended up on the count sheets

[Steelheadin360]

I havent heard of any caught, but 20 fish went over Bonneville the other day!

That turned out to be bad data - they were testing some kind of counting software and the test data ended up on the count sheets

Damn....

[Brat Bonker]

seemed like a guide,I believe phil stephans, on the Cowlitz has picked up a couple unless they are old pictures

Those are old fish The Cowlitz fish are a couple out still.

oh I was wondering why they all had limits of steelhead too, seemed like fishing has been super slow down there, darn steelhead U haha

[natetreat]

Don't wait for the reports, it's going to be a good year this year.

[Brat Bonker]

Don't wait for the reports, it's going to be a good year this year.

oh yah that's what I heard, hopefully summer runs don't follow suit with the winter runs though

[racfish]

I'm heading to the Cowlitz on Wed for a lil fishing fun. A springer,a steelie,Im willing to catch it all. Maybe some smelt soon.

[dadamunky]

racfish ...need some company, I need to get out there myself

[AJFishdude]

When it comes to fishing for springers in the rivers, what sort of gear do you guys normally use? More specifically, what kind of rod strength and what pound test line? I still have an 8-20lb 8.5' rod set up with either 20 or 25lb braid from a bit earlier on in the season when I was going after Chums. Is that good, overkill, not enough?

[Millie12]

I would also love to hear what setup you guys are running for springers. And any tips on getting them bank fishing?

[sealegs]

Hey Millie 22,
I'll wait with you on your question. I'm looking to make a trip to the Columbia for bank fishing in March/ April and the more tips the better.

[dadamunky]

This thread has some decent info : http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?p=6556825" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[mallard83]

Oooooooooo............you're in troouuble........

http://www.washingtonlakes.com/forum/vi ... 7&start=20" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

[schu7498]

ifish has a lot of great info! Especially concerning springers!

[Weekend-warrior17]

Oooooooooo............you're in troouuble........

http://www.washingtonlakes.com/forum/vi ... 7&start=20" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

LOL. I think mallard83 is onto something.

[mizm05]

AJ and Mallard, from what I've seen, the majority of the bank fishing seems to be plunking eggs and spin n glo. Or a 4.5 kwikfish plug wrapped in herring.

I will be running a 10-20lb rod with 30# braid main, and 20# mono leader and anywhere from 4 to 8 oz pyramid weight for plunking. I'll also have a drift rod set up for drifting cork, eggs, and might try and throw some big ole spinners as well.

[DannyL]

Fished cowlitz yesterday, one steelhead caught down at blue creek. It's gonna be a good year down there but not in numbers yet.

[BARCHASER10]

I was born raised in Portland and grew up fishing the Willy and the Columbia in the 50's and 60's. One of my best friends, also retired, lives in Columbia City, Oregon and I fish with him 2-3 times each Spring in his boat and sometimes we plunk at Prescott Bar on the Oregon side. There is good plunking at Prescott which is downstream from Rainier/Longview a few miles. There is a reciprocal agreement between the two states and you can fish on the Oregon side with a WA license as long as you stay in the mainstream Columbia. He moors his boat at Freds on the lower Willy. In 2012 he got 89 Springers in his boat but only 40 some last year.

[AJFishdude]

Thanks for the info mizm05. That is about what I thought. For a Kwikfish from shore, do you just cast it out, let it swing through the current and then bring it back?