For Salmon and Cutts in the salt- definitely pattern- especially salmon (timing). Freshwater... presentation! However, Kalama River Silvers seem fairly selective to small (#10) patterns over larger ones.

Black and purple are (were) generally my year around "go to" Steelie colors. I don't think size of the pattern matters much as long as the water hasn't been beaten to death . With that, we are back to presentation... We just never know what makes a fish tick!

Downriggin'
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"If you are not scratchin bottom, you ain't fishing deep enough!" -DR

Puget Sound Anglers, Gig Harbor Chapter