Kevin,

I've only fished the Columbia and Ronde in the fall, when water temperaturesa are warmer. The main difference for me is that I use a floating line on the interior rivers at that season, and I use a sink tip on the Skagit for winter steelhead. If you're fishing bait or lures, fish 'em deep and slow. Most of the bait and lure anglers boon dog from a sled on the Skagit to cover a lot of water, but a few of them prowl the river banks with us fly fishermen. So if you have a boat, by all means bring it.

Good luck.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.