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We finally got the rods in the water around 8pm, setting ourselves up for a night of steelhead fishing! Pulling lighted plugs and glow in the dark Spin-N-Glos with sand shrimp. Everything was perfect, the weather, the water, and fishing with your best buddies. Anticipation was high; it was up to the fish now. Summer [...]

Summer steelhead can be one of the most aggressive best fighting fish to target. They exert explosive runs and huge acrobatic jumps. They also come into the rivers with lots of fat content, making them an exceptional table fare. SW Washington’s rivers have some great summer steelhead fishing. The East Fork of the Lewis, the [...]

I thought April showers were supposed to bring May flowers, not monsoon rains and record-setting cold temperatures? It’s the third coldest May on record around these parts. Friends and I were wondering if plunging water temperatures might just put Bass on rewind, back into pre-spawn mode. If you take a look at my most recent [...]

If you want to literally be afraid of what is on the end of your line and really second guess ever getting in the water again, try fishing for tiger muskie. These things are a crazy scary and aggressive predator and will eat whatever crosses their path, including a dangling toe off the end of [...]

As avid Salmon, Steelhead, and Trout fishermen we all can appreciate the advantages that floating the river can give us. Many times I find myself wondering what boat I like better, a pontoon boat or a drift boat. There are so many great things about each craft, and they both get you down the river [...]

With spring time pretty much here and summer time just around the corner, you have to choose the long beach peninsula as one of your bass fishing vacation plans. There is lakes scattered all over the peninsula full of largemouth bass, and they get very little pressure. There are a few lakes that I would [...]

Bass fishing with fly tackle is unlike trout fishing. Trout fishing is a lot about style and finesse, where as bass fishing is more chill and relaxed, making it easier for more of the beginner class of folks. With bass fishing presentation isn’t everything, gear has a big deal in being successful in adverse spring [...]

It’s as simple as picking between braid and monofilament, right? Well, not quite. In recent decades fishing line technology has been leapfrogging itself and with the present varieties of line and their specific uses available, it might pay you to make your spool-up decisions armed with a little more information. In a more primitive day, [...]

If your after channel cats and you have the right rig to get you here, the John Day is the place! This river is loaded with big channel catfish. These fish are very aggressive and can put up just as much fight as any salmon or steelhead you ever hook. The other plus to these [...]

Well, here we are in another year for great trout fishing. The past winter, or lack there of, is hopefully going to be a big plus come June. The lack of snow and our mild late winter/early spring time provides a promising look at what is in store for us. Little snow in the mountains [...]

As my friend Jim would say, you can’t make a rod work for everything from Tuna to Trout.  Anyone who has been fishing for a while has come to realize that even going after just one species requires more than one rod. A Steelhead fisherman might have one rod for side-drifting, one for pulling plugs, [...]

Spring Chinook are starting to trickle into our great Columbia River, and with each day the numbers should get stronger. Columbia River Fishery Managers are predicting the strongest run of Spring Chinook since the 1930’s with an estimate of 470,000 returning adult salmon for the 2010 season. If the numbers are record breaking as planned [...]

Let’s face it, Bassing friends, January and February in the Pacific Northwest are not premium months for pursuing either Largemouth or Smallmouth. There are still catch-able fish out there, lurking in the Winter haunts we discussed last month, but it’s a cold, slow game if you want to try for them. You can review the [...]

Spring time is so close we can all almost hear the first honey bee zip by our ear, we can picture the flowers and trees blooming across the land, and we can smell the spring Chinook coming back from their long 3-4 year journey in the ocean. That’s right, with spring time just around the [...]

Fishing is slowing down a bit and we are in between runs. Anglers are getting frustrated and worn out because fishing is getting tougher and tougher. Many people start to give up and stay off the water until summer. It happens every year, but there is still fish in the rivers to be caught! Most [...]

Fishing for steelhead with a fly is one of the most difficult ways to be a successful steelhead fisher. One contributing factor is the deterioration of local fisheries due to habitat degradation and excessive harvest from commercial fishers. Even with the odds against the angler here are several techniques that will produce action. #1. Deep [...]

Every steelhead fishermen’s head hits the pillow at night in the late winter months hoping that the next time he or she gets out on the water, that one big 20 pound plus steelhead will be persuaded to eat his offering. At least I hope I’m not the only one that lives and sleeps in [...]

When our Northwest water temperatures dip below 50 degrees, we have well and truly entered Winter’s chilling grip, and Largemouth fishing presents two major problems: Coldblooded, lethargic fish that are slow to respond to any presentation, and cold, shivering fishermen who would rather stay extra active to keep warm! What a combination! Just when you [...]

Winter fishing is finally upon us here in the great Northwest. The weather can change in a blink of an eye with temperatures dropping below freezing and water levels can change drastically within a couple of hours. Fishing conditions become more and more dangerous as the winter days go by. Being prepared for these conditions [...]

Well, summer has come to a close, but good trout fishing sure hasn’t. Deer season is one of my favorite times of year to head out to my favorite trout streams, with opening weekend of rifle season being the best. My number one reason for loving this time of year is the lack of company. [...]