Hi everyone,
I'm new to the area, and just starting to learn the fishing out here. I'd like to get into salmon and steelhead. I don't have a boat, so I guess it's bank fishing for now.

I've got two 8 1/2 foot rods - one with a spinning reel, and one bait-casting. Pretty decent tackle, though not absolute top of the line.

Basically, I'm looking for suggestions for general locations, methods, and gear. A few days ago my wife and I hit the Wilson, using corkies (?) and yarn. She got a strike, and had one on for a few seconds. I don't think I had any nibbles (hard to say with that weight bouncing along the bottom).

Do you think the corkies are a good way to go? I'm not sure I've got it rigged quite right. The hook is attached to the leader using the egg loop knot. I've got a little yarn tied into the loop, with the corkie on the leader above the hook (allowed to slide). Should I fasten the corkie to the hook somehow, so it doesn't slide away from it? Should I have the yarn above the hook? Above the corkie? Etc, etc. . .

I'm using about an 18" leader, with pencil lead attached to a 3-way swivel at the top.

Any recommendations for other rigs? Lures? Bait or attractants?

Is my gear any good for fishing in the Columbia (when it opens again)? Is fishing from the bank any good there? Where?

As you can see, I'm pretty clueless to the fishing scene here. So any tips you can give me would be _greatly_ appreciated.

Thanks!
Mike

Billy ... Biiilyyyy boy (and you 2 CP), you're right - we are "laughnot" this time.

Laughnot,

If your wife and you are new at fishing, you might want to try fishing at the Barrier Dam on the Cowlitz River. Its easy to fish, clean rest rooms and easy access. You should try bober and jig fishing also. There are lots of people on this BB that can give you all the information that you will need to learn this method.

Cowlizfisherman
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Is the taste of the bait worth sting of the hook?

Welcome Laughnot.You are in a good area to fish lots of good rivers. If the Kalama river is not to far for you it is a good one. Lots of bank access. As to your method sound OK to me. I do not use a three way I will use a normal swivel and leave a inch of main line off the top not then just crimp on a piece of hollow lead to it. I like this method because many times when your lead gets hung up a quick pull will leave the lead behind and give you the rest back. Stop in at Prichards about 5 miles up the Kalama river road when you go they are real nice folks and will give you some pointers also. Sand shrimp is the bait of choise right now and the Springers are comming in. Good luck!!

Where do you live laughnot?That might help us in helping you...TM