Okay guys/gals I'm coming down the 12th - 14th to fish for springers in the Columbia for my first time. Yes I'm a springer virgin. I need some help!

I'm assuming F4 will be happing throughout the river. Which areas do you plan on fishing? Where are you guys meeting afterward? We are planning on fishing near the Wind River mouth.

First of all I need to figure out how to tie a double hook setup for herring because I haven't done the trolling thing since I was a kid. I need to figure out how to tie the upper hook. Should I use 3/0 or 4/0 hooks? What's the difference between the blue, green, and red label herring? What size weights should I use while trolling? Seems that I read something about 2 oz weights. Should I just get different weights between 1 -2 oz? Should I use 20 or 25 lb test for my mainline? I have a Shimano baitcasting reel and am looking to getting a new casting rod to match(I've been looking at the other tread too). Looking at the size and rating of the rod, not so much the brand. Want to use it up at Seiku this summer too. Buddy has a couple of downriggers on the boat too.

Can I find Magic Thread at any old tackle shop? I have Bob's tip on wrapping Kwickfish. Do you just get your sardines from the grocery store? How do you get your plug to dive down to 20 feet? I think I read something about having a lead line attached to your leader. I've read various posts and magazines that discuss plug size, color, and tuning.

Time to gear up at the tackle shop.

Steelheadman,if you look back approx.16 pages I also made similar requests and it was RT,Thumper,Goose,AuntyM that responded to my thread now that this has got to the point of all trash talkin, I don't know how much help your going to get but, maybe these old posts will help a little.

Steelheadman...the best Flotilla advice, is to stay as far from RT's crew as possible, if you want to catch fish. That RT repels fish in a Flotilla like you can not believe. Check the Flotilla thread for proof. After sorting through all the double talk, nothing but a "gooose" egg for 3 Flotillas. :p

Hey Sid, I went to a meeting a couple of weeks ago. They were talking about chinook fishing and as soon as I asked them questions they got quiet in a hurry. Guess I'll have to do a little extra research and a few trips to the sporting goods shop. I really think RT (Springer Steve)is going to break out of his slump. He's kind of like the fishing version of Gary Payton. Always talking smack.

SteelheadMan,
Seein's all the "heavy hitters" here are being close lipped I'll try to answer your questions.
F4 is pretty much open to any part of the river that you want to fish....but the after fishing party will be on Sand Island which is across from the mouth of the Lewis River on the Oreo side.
Tying a moochin' rig is simple, just tie 2 bumper tie's about 4 inches or so apart, the distance depends on the size herring that you will be using. As for the herring question the color depicts the size of the herring, I think it goes yellow, red, green, blue, purple (smallest to largest, red was the hot size last year).
When I troll the Columbia I use 4 to 6 ounce weights on a three way swivel with a drop line of about 2 feet, depending on how many people are in the area and how close to the boat you need to keep the gear. For anchoring up and pulling K'fish same 3 way with a drop line of 3 to 5 feet (experiment here) to the sinker (2 to 4 ounces of lead) and 5 feet to the plug, that will put you in the zone.
Any ol' tackle shop should have magic thread. I have had to special oreder sardines here in Olympia, but have heard that stores around the Columbia carry them in stock.
As for a rod I really don't feel you need to spend a bunch of money, I use my $35 Shimano TDR downrigger rod for springers as well as in the salt and it works just fine (No comments from you Gizmo!!! :p ) and 20 or 25 lb test is ok fine.
Think I covered it all.
Good luck and tight lines, Jeff

hey jeffhead, fishermans had a garbage can full of those rods, marked for $9.95 each, man you paid to much........

Spoooled...Marsha"s Team shall be armed and dangerous with special gooose secret weapons for springers...locked and loaded...dialed in ! Gooose won't be there to smack your butts with mondo slabs but in spirit only I will be walken all over on your precious Oreo pride ! Got my guys down there right now given me daily reports on where the fish and whats worken.

and RT don't even have a clue about my reel secrets .

Steelheadman,
I certainly don't put myself in the same class as many of the experts here but I'm not afraid of sharing what works for me. I will talk about recent(last Saturday) experience,
First of all when you Say you'll fish the Columbia near the mouth of the Wind, remember the Columbia River between Bonneville and The Dalles Dam is closed to sport fishing. At the Wind River you must stay inside the buoy line.
The native Springer I netted and released(see practice makes perfect post) was caught trolling a sardine wrapped K-14 Kwikfish. Trolled downstream in 20 feet of water. 40" lead line off a spreader. 36" leader line between spreader and Kwicky. 4 ounces lead bumping bottom. lamiglass Kenai King rod, Ambassadeur SIX reel with 65lb tuff line. knotted 15 lb test lead line and 40lb test maxima leader.
Trolled between the downstream end of Government Island and 43rd boat ramp.
Thats all I remember except 19 1/2' Willie Predator open sled trolling with 8hp mercury 2 cycle motor while dragging a 115 hp 4 stroke pump. No banannas on board. One Jack Russell Terrier on board as an observer.
Probably more info than anyone needs, but you asked for it

Some good info there. I'd spool up you're shimano with 30# power pro or tuff line. Like stated above use 4-6 oz. of lead. I like to fish close to the boat.

As for Magic thread, I just use white cotton sewing thread. I've tried the magic stuff and don't like it. You can use a sardine or herring wrap. I've always used herring for a wrap and have done as well or better than those fishing next to me. Just remember to change out the baitwrap every hour or so.

If you're going to the wind, try Mag wiggle warts, in flo. Orange. I've never fished it, but that's what I've heard works.

Aaron

wiser, great post, lot's of good info.