‘Questions for the Guide’ Archives
When to use a leader when fishing?
You will always use a leader when fishing. Why? Because when you snag up or break off a fish you don't want to have the line break off at the reel, which will cause you to lose a large percentage of your line and have to completely re-spool with new line. You want to use a leader that is lighter than your main line so that the above scenario [...]
Can I fish Drano Lake with an Oregon fishing license?
No you can't fish Drano Lake or Wind River with an Oregon fishing license. Both of these areas are technically considered to be separate from the Columbia River and are strictly Washington waters and a Washington fishing license and salmon tag is required to fish them.
What is the best time of year for sturgeon fishing?
This article addresses the question of When is the best time of year for sturgeon fishing here on the Columbia River and Willamette Rivers? White Sturgeon can be caught year around on both of these rivers but there are definitely certain periods of the year that are better than others. The Willamette fishes extremely well from late fall [...]
What is the best time of day to fish for sturgeon?
If you're in the Columbia River estuary, i.e. the lower 25 miles of the Columbia River near Astoria, then there is no best time, the sturgeon are always on the bite (during June and July) but the incoming tide may definitely have an advantage over the outgoing tide. When fishing outside of the estuary you will find that sturgeon show a strong [...]
What are some Longview, Washington fishing locations?
Longview, Washington is where the Cowlitz River enters the Columbia. Below this confluence is a great location to anchor for fall Chinook salmon. To access this water, a boater can launch from Rainier, Oregon; Gearhart Gardens on the Cowlitz (very shallow water); from the town of Kalama, Washington and run downstream to Longview; or from [...]
Can you give me some Columbia River salmon fishing tips?
Keep your bait fresh, don’t try to make your herring, prawns etc last too long. When in doubt change it out! 45 minutes or less is a about right for herring. 45-60 minutes for prawns but you want to inject them with scent half way through. Use lead for trolling on a short 12″ dropper, and forget about divers. Use a three hook rig for [...]
Secret sturgeon bait? What is the best bait for Columbia river sturgeon? What is the best sturgeon bait?
Want a secret? Stop looking for a secret! Nothing beats experience and persistence, time on the water is the ultimate playing field leveler, go out and get some! Read on if you want to find out about the best baits ... but they aren't a secret. I don’t know of any “secret” sturgeon bait, but I’m sure there are some guys out there that [...]
Can i use regular fluorocarbon line as a leader?
Yes, regular fluorocarbon line can be used as leader. Fluorocarbon line is obviously intended to be used as your main line, this is why you will notice that it’s very limp compared to fluorocarbon leader material. The resins used to make the leader and the line are often different, so you will see differences in stiffness (leader is stiffer) [...]
Questions for the guide? Answers from the past year!
I always tell customers that I'm not just their fishing guide when I'm on the water; I let them know that it's OK to call or email me when they have fishing or boating questions. I've answered a few "relationship" questions too! So if you have a question that you've been wondering about, email me here and let me know. I will get back to you [...]
