Springer In the Box

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We caught an early springer on Saturday in the Multnomah Channel. The head of the channel starts from the Willamette river in Northwest Portland and flows into the Columbia river near St. Helens. Fresh spring chinook from the Columbia river make their way up the Channel every year in the early spring. I want to provide extra information to those of you that subscribe to my websites so here’s the detail of how we caught our fish:

• Area: 300 yards below Coon Island
• Depth: 12 feet of water, 14 feet of line on counter
• Weight: 8 ounces, 8 inch dropper
• Bait: Cut-plug green label herring, green stain
• Brine: Bottled water, 1/2 cup non-iodized salt, 3 drops Anise
• Flasher: Red/chrome triangle (see video)
• Leader: 4/0, 3/0 hooks, 48 inch leader
• Trolling speed: 2.5 mph SOG
• Bouncing the bottom

I wanted to note that we were trolling in 16 feet before the takedown which happened in 12 feet of water. Our gear was right on the bottom. Since I was holding the rod in my hands during the takedown, I just tried to pretend that I was a rod holder. It’s very important that you let salmon “chew” on bait until they turn and run with it. It takes discipline to wait but your hookup will always be better. Our netting coordination wasn’t perfect but we recovered and landed the fish. Dirk did a great job of bringing this fish home. If you have any questions please ask in the comment section or email me at FishingWithDavidPyle.com.

In a follow up to my post from Friday I wanted to display a picture which adds to my discussion about spring chinook and spawning. In the picture titled “Springer Eggs” above you’ll notice that the eggs are tiny. They are in fact immature because, as I said in my last post, springers don’t spawn until the fall. If you missed this post select “Blog” in the menu section of my website.

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