WILD BLOG: Another successful season on the Columbia, Willamette
NEW April 29, 2009 / 7:30 a.m

For two years in a row now, we have not been skunked on either the Columbia or Willamette Rivers.

Here are four things that have lead to my success: 

1). One big part of our success is we don’t start too early in the season!  So many people start way too early in the year, racking up hours and hours flogging empty water.  I prefer to chase steelhead as far into April as long as I can.  This year I had to start my springer season earlier than I would like since the seasons were so limited.

2). This year we took fish on cut-plug herring, bait wrapped plugs, eggs, sand shrimp and cured prawns. It was more about were and how we fished than it was what we used. This also shows that it pays to be a “Jack of all trades” being able fish with multiple techniques to match the conditions and water types.

3). Reading water and understanding the habits of these fish is also important. This doesn’t come overnight but by being observant over the years will add up.

4). We also stacked our odds by picking one spot and sticking to it. But it makes a difference if the fish are there or not. This year the fish were not in the same places they were last year as the high water moved them. The guys who kept trying to duplicate last year’s success simply spun their wheels.  Flexibility pays off if things aren’t working for you.