Anyone fish the Mighty Columbia for steelhead with a fly? I grew up much of my life in Richland but never fished the Columbia for steelhead, only suckers and carp after school. Now I'll be over there for Thanksgiving and may try to get to the Ringold area to swing a fly. Any pointers anyone has to offer? -Old Chum

Use some sinktip line and heavy wire hook size 4 steelhead wet flies. Try both dead drifts and long sweeper swings. I don't know if there will be a lot of them up there yet.

I've fished for steelhead below Bonneville near Tanner Creek and done very well many years ago. Haven't tried it in a long time.

OC,

I've never fished the big C. this late, but it's nice in October - when the river's open to fishing of course. I've fished the floating line in the autumn, but if I were fishing this weekend I'd want to have a 10' sink-tip along. The water should be higher and cooler. I'd recommend the same flies that work in Sept. - Oct., a size 6 Skunk and Spade, among numerous others. If it's warm enough, tie on a skater and use the floating line for a while. And just cuz the river's a quarter mile wide doesn't mean the fish don't swim close to shore in a lot of places.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.