Best method for Lake Washington Sockeye:

Troll just above the schools (five feet max.) and keep your speed at 2 to 2 1/2 mph. Because you are trolling fast, use a long leader made from matrial that is soft and low in memory. Folks that troll slow, and are over a fishless area will waste a lot time before hooking up.

Set up: one single black or red 4/0 hook tied with 10 to 12 pound leader 30 to 48 inches to a size "0" half chrome half brass dodger. If you are fishing from a large vessel that won't troll down to 2.5 mph just make your leader longer...trust me...this works.

If ya want to have some real fun, forget the dodger and tie on a size 3 white/red head needle fish spoon or 3.5 Army Truck Coyote spoon and run them about 30 plus feet behind your down rigger, still trolling at 2 1/2 mph. and staying about 5 feet above the schools. When fishing the spoon method, I use a lighter rod and reel....usually a steelhead rod and reel loaded with 10 pound test line. Don't use any swivels, tie your spoon directly to your main line. And if ya want to kick it up another notch....use 6 lb. line.

Hope this helps ya catch all the sockeye you can eat.

Cigar