Spring Chinook Fishing Video Series 2017. Part 1 - How to fish the Columbia river

[@brucewallace1982]

Thanks for this video David. I went out yesterday with my wife and practiced using this setup since there was not many out on the CR. We started by the airport and stopped at Kelly Point. The hardest part was the varying bottom and never being able to see the line on the FF like Kokanee fishing. Tried using trig to figure our depth. Looking forward to next year Lord willing

[@DavidPyle]

Bruce, the video that you watched was specific to Spring chinook. Since we're in the fall season, we fish a little bit different. Fall fish tend to suspend (you can still find them close to the bottom) so we generally use 360 flashers (Pro-troll) and bring our gear us from five to 10 feet from the bottom on average. We also troll faster and use spinners and super baits instead of herring. The bottom at the Airport and Davis is humpy. For spring fishing I find a high point and keep my lead hitting bottom on those peaks. Davis Starts out deep at 50 feet and shallows up to less than 20 if you stay near the barges. You have to really watch your gear and keep it tight to the bottom in the spring.

[@brucewallace1982]

@@DavidPyle TY for the input. I'll need some more practice runs.

[@RoamAboutOutdoors]

Nice video thanks David

[@DavidPyle]

Thank you, Russell.

[@brucewallace1982]

What lb test would you recommend for the dropper ?

[@DavidPyle]

I use 25 lb for the dropper.

[@luxorbill269]

David, would you mind telling us a little about your boat? I just bought a new Thunder Jet offshore and I'm studying yours looking for set-up ideas. Obviously you have a lot figured out and your experience is very valuable. Thanks for fishing and doing vids at the same time. Bill

[@DavidPyle]

Bill, I have a Duckworth 175 with offshore transom. It came with Folbe rod holders which are "OK" and I've become use to using them. I have two rod holder brackets mounted on each side of the back rails. When I fish four people I point two straight off the back and point two straight out the side. Once the weather gets better, I can also use two rod holders that I have on the front of the boat (I remove my top completely from late spring to fall). I generally fish heavier lead on the side rods and lighter with the rods facing straight off the back. I like to sit on my back transom area and run my kicker if I'm bouncing lead. My boat has a perfect view through the windshield and it's a comfortable sitting position. If I'm fishing suspended, I can tie my motors together and drive at the steering wheel. In windy conditions, I'm generally steering with my kicker because I have more control. My boat is perfect for the way I fish but I'd prefer a little bigger with higher sides when I go in the ocean. I only go on perfect days and that wouldn't change but it just feels a little safer with the extra size and side height. Thunder Jet makes a very nice boat. I like the finish and think highly of the quality. Good luck out there and feel free to ask me any other questions and I'll tell you what I think. David

[@luxorbill269]

Wonderful, thanks for such a detailed and complete answer. I read the warning tag on my Folbe holders several times and couldn't figure out what the concern was. While fiddling with it, I figured out what the concern was about! You could dump a lot of money overboard real quick. Going in the ocean would mean my wife would have to medicated and that would just look bad!! Thanks again and have a great season. Bill

[@Jt37-b9n]

Why barbless?

[@DavidPyle]

In 2017 the rules for the Columbia River were that we had to use barbless hooks. Beginning in 2019 fall season the regulations were adopted which allows us to use barbed hooks on the Columbia river.

[@brilintube]

Great instructional video.In the last year or so, I have noticed a lot of fishermen wearing rubber gloves. What's the reason for that?Thanks

[@DavidPyle]

That's a good question. From the beginning when I hired a guide to teach me how to fish we had discussions about human scent or foreign scent in general. Here's what I've been told and found in my research: - Salmon have a very developed sense of smell which is hundreds of times more sensitive than human. - Some studies indicate that a salmon will approach a herring several times before striking. If there's a foreign scent on your gear/bait, it could cause the salmon to turn away without striking. - I don't think anyone knows for sure but the fact that spring Chinook are so difficult to catch, I'm going to eliminate every possible element that might turn a salmon away. - It has been said that applying scent to bait doesn't really attract salmon but actually masks human or foreign scents. I'm not sure that I'm totally on board with this one. - If the majority of guides are wearing gloves, I think it's worth taking note. ** I always wash flashers, beads, lead, and hooks with Lemon Joy to remove scent. Fishing can be expensive and time consuming so I'm going to give myself the best chance to catch a salmon. That said, I fish with friends that don't take these precautions and they certainly have success in fishing so you're going to have to decide for yourself.

[@brilintube]

Thanks David,I hadn't thought of that. I was thinking that maybe so many were wearing glove because the scents are getting stronger and were damaging their skin by coming in contact with it.

[@DavidPyle]

brilintube You're welcome. I'm planning on doing a few more instructional videos before the season kicks into high gear. Hopefully you'll watch them and share them with others. Good luck you there!!!

[@kingcronic6191]

good video...consider using fixed tied leaders...I Tie all my own using 30 p-line floro clear and 3/0 owner hooks , I don't want anything slipping on a hook up.get a 2/4 with a nail in it and you can bang out real fast for green label herring.

[@DavidPyle]

I agree with you 100 percent. I love tying up using Owner hooks too. I use slip tie hooks mainly when I'm fishing red label herring and I want to run them whole. I know you can get the correct bend with fixed tie hooks but slip tie works better for me in that situation. Great comment. Keep em coming.