I was fishing at the Beginners hole today when a younger man came down and hooked a fish. A nice fish at that. His converstion was saying that bobbers were very innafective. This man and his friend made a special point to run down bobber fisherman as a "no brainer way of catching fish." I find this quite rude but funny at the same time you think that with extensive fishing knowledge and the new tackle store he just opened on the Kalama, that he would realize there is more to steelhead fishing than just drifting eggs or shrimp on the bottom. Also, the salmon that he had caught earlier was left on the asphalt road above, as he coninued to fish. I think some etiquette and manners would help this new businessman of the Kalama River. I know it helped me to know I will never choose his store for my fishing needs. By the way, he had little to say about the two fish I caught on my inferior bobber method.
By the way this is not about Western Anglers but I would be curious to know how they feel about us bobber fisherman?

During high water years, I catch more fish drifting; during low water years, I catch more fish under a float. During any given year I catch more fish period because I drift fish and float fish.

Over Memorial Day weekend I hit a steelhead and springer at Beginners, both under a float. This is an old argument; one that a lot of good anglers have abandoned because float fishing is just too effective in slower flows.

coco,
Get your facts straight before you open your mouth and say things that may potentionally hurt someones buisness.
The owner of the store did not say anything about bobber fisherman. What he said is he sure sales alot of bobbers and jigs because it is a no brainer way of fishing. Which means anyone can do it.
Also the reason he laid the fish on the road is so the fisheries biologist could take the head to get the tag they put in them when they are smolts. As matter of fact He takes heads at the store for the biologist.

In my personal opionion I think bobber and jig fishing is a no brainer and very boring. Now on the other I fish floats alot using anything from bait to pink worms. Fishing this way you need to have some knowledge in order produce hook ups on a regular basis.

Yeah, the biologists down there are pretty active. They took some scales and a measurement off an early summer-run I got a few weeks ago. I've also met the guy from the new tackle shop. Seemed like an OK guy. Even took a polaroid of me and my steelie. My first ever picture on a tackle shop wall. Two more shops and I'll officially be a redneck. Anyone know if the new shop has ice yet?

Well, I'd say an almost yes and no on this one. It's not all as hard as drifting, but it's not all easy either as just letting it float. Willierower, I don't know where you get the idea there's really any difference then having a jig underfoot as apozed to eggs/shrip etc. With both you have to adjust to depth of pocket you're fishing. With both you must be able to mend your line with current (which a long rod helps with this) and with BOTH you watch your bobber for it to go under. Watching the bobber and setting the hook is the same for eggs, jigs, or even those of us who use flies with a strike indicator. It does take work to use a bobber. I'd love to see the person who can just buy some jigs and start nailing them. You need certain sizes for certain conditions and colors to go with water clarity. There's no such thing as a "easy catch" method except someone on the bank with a snagging rod or a net strewn across a river. I feel NO ONE has the right to say a thing about any method, experienced or not. If it works, use it. As I've said before, we're all in this together, so acceptance is needed, there's nothing wrong with bobber fisherman, as long as you don't limit yourself to just that technique.

That's my .02

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I don't believe there is such a thing as a "no-brainer" technique in steelhead fishing. Some would argue that pulling plugs is a "no-brainer". Some would say that spoon and spinner fishing is a "no-brainer". All these techniques take a certain skill level to consistently be successful, as does a float and jig. Anybody can catch fish occasionally using any technique,taking it to the next level is the trick. Anyone that would call any technique a "no-brainer" either hasn't done it or has done it unsuccessfully!

I don't think fishermen should be classified by method as much as by productivness; i.e. good, average, or novice. I floated the Kalama Mon. from Pritchard's to Modrow. No hookups above the Beginner's Hole, where there had been a good morning bite for the bank angler's gathered there; mostly summer steelhead. We fished float N jigs about equally with driftfishing. We didn't run into fish until we got to a long hole a ways up from Modrow, where we hooked 3 and landed 2 nice summers in the same stretch. We tried both methods, drifting good bait and floating good jigs. All the fish were hooked drifting; I hooked 2 on pink corkie w/ small egg clusters & Jerry hooked 1 on a small cheater w/ sandshrimp tail. The jigs we were using were some of the best made & color patterned. I have caught some on jigs but am not a jig expert. From Mon.'s experience I would hesitate to call it a no brainer, even if the basics aren't difficult. - RT

In the regards to the first letter I would like to set the record straight. I am Bill, from Kalama River Bait and Tackle. While fishing Begginers Hole on the Kalama River this morning a customer of mine made a statement to me about all of the bobbers. I replied it is because it is the easiest way for begginer fishermen to catch fish because it is a no brainer. This was not meant to be literal but means that it is the easiest way to fish the snag infested hole on the Kalama river. I personaly tie many custom jigs for my customers upon request. I also tell new fishermen it is the best way to start. As for the conversation between the man on the gaurd rail and the bobber fisherman it is neither my business nor my concern. But let the record show that the man fishing directly bellow the bobber fisherman was Mike the previous owner of Prichards Western Anglers and he said that the bobber fisherman was not curtious to him in his fishing practices. He would let his bobber overrun his drift and the drift below him. I have no problem with the bobber fisherman but please gentleman lets keep our bobbers in our own drifts. there is plenty of room for everyone. As to the fish on the gaurd rail, contact fish and wildlife as to why that was there. IF you have any questions or coments you may contact me by phone or in person. Store hours are 4:30 to 8:00 7 days a week. Phone number (360) 673 7466. Again my name is Bill and I would like to apologize to anyone who was offended by the statement no brainer. The fish are here, now get up here and catch them. Best of luck Kalama River Bait and Tackle.

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steelheader69
Im sorry if I offended you. I just have a problem with bobber and jig fishermen. 90% of the people I see throwing dont have a clue and let thier bobbers float down in front of you. Maybe these people are newbies or just plan rude?
Just last evening after I replied to the first post I hit the river and hooked 3 fish. 1 was on a pink and purple jig. And 2 were on standard drift gear. As you can see I too fish a jig under a float but, Only when there isnt a bunch of other anglers around. My comment about float fishing does hold true. I was taught how to float fish by a guide who has mastered the technique. Believe me there is a lot more to it than just slipping a bobber up your line and the tieing on a jig and letting it fly.
Nuff said!!!!!

I think with fishing pressure what it is today with restictions and all, we need to be very flexable in our technics.I've tried to learn othes styles and the last few years it's mostly been float fishing it's not as easy as it looks but is easier than normal drifting There is aways going to be that one guy who decides to fish his drift and your's weather it's floats or drifting....I just cast across his line once or twice always appolgize... then suggest that they try to keep this from happening again bottom line be versital
Oh steelheader 69 I not ready to be a bugtosser ...not yet

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Row Quietly and fish a Cataraft }<<(('>-- --<'))>>{
Release all Wild Fish

[This message has been edited by Osprey (edited 06-08-2000).]

Here is my .02, I have drift fished for some time now because when I got into fishing float fishing in the NW was virtually un heard of. I mean sure there was the few anglers who tossed bobber and bait and even a few who tossed jigs. I took advantage of this towards my business and started tying jigs at a young age getting better and better with practice. Now years later jiggin it is as popular as anything. Have you ever been drift fishing a slot when a boat comes down and pulls plugs through your slot? Well I have countless times on the Nooch. What is the difference between a plug being pulled through your hole or a bobber and jig passing by? I don't see much of a difference except a jig is less likely to spook fish is than a plug in my opinion. I don't see how one method is better than the other, In any given time a jig may work better than hardware or bait. I think one key to fishing is to be versatile.In otherwords don't get stuck in a rut and pound a hole with roe for the entire day when you know fish are present, try other things and then come back to roe or whatever. I have seen quite a few things that have chapped my butt, but a bobber floating into the water I am fishing is the least of my worries. I know that catching a fish is a great feeling, but I guess it is just me but I have passed that and now just going out to the river and being on the water is just as good of an experience as hooking into a fish. I think alot of the fun of fishing is taken away with people that spend to much time worrying about other people maybe catching a fish that they called theirs. I don't think bobber fishing is an easy way of fishing at all. Try fishing for big summer steelies with a 1/32 oz jig with a 4 hook and 6 pound test and see how easy it is to get a good hook set on a fish that you have hooked 50 yards away, damn near impossible. That is just my .02 you don't have to agree with it, I just thought I would offer my oppinions.

Thanks,
Andy Matthews

Guys ,I fished for years with a man named Richard Paradinski,He was a bobber fisherman and fishing instructor for the oregon fishing club,before he died,I've never seen anyone catch fish like he did on a bobber,NEVER.It takes a lot more then just throwing a bobber and jig or bait out there to catch fish.It is a learning process just like drifting or pulling plugs.He also was very aware of other bank fisherman and nevere took there hole,you can make short drifts with a bobber just like you do when drifting.Remember mend those lines drift the same speed as the current.

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Bob Dawson

I feel that flexibility is the key to being a succeful steelheader. For years the only techniques I used were to drift fish or pull plugs. I became quite succeful at both of these techniques but over the years my success rate was actually going down. Sure I had some very good days, but I also suffered through many skunkings. After hearing about these other techniques, such as float/jig or spoon fishing, I made a desicion to try and learn these techniques. It started with jig fishing for summer runs. After a slow start I started to realize the advantages of fishing a float from below the fish in low gin clear water, without spooking them. Over the years my success rate started to go up dramatically. Then came my most recent attempts at winter runs with spoons. I picked up this techinque rather quickly and by the end of this past winter season I found myself fishing with only spoons, and having fantastic results. I ended up with my best winter steelheading season in years. My point is that by being being flexible, I have dramatically increased my success rate and have been able to hook fish in water that I could not effectively cover with standard drift gear. In these times of increased pressure and decreased fish runs, I have actually been catching more steelhead than ever. Match your techniques to the river you are fishing and don't be afraid to try new techniques. And always be courtious to your fellow anglers.