I'm a fairly experienced fisherman, except for Columbia River Springers. I've done quite a bit of research and now need some clarification on certain things.

Do people out there actually use the wire spreaders, or just a sliding dropper or 3-way swivel with a dropper? When using prawns with a spinner, do I need to find whole prawns or just the tail is enough? What about brining the prawns? Good idea or bad?

Finally, will the Longview area have many fish now compared to the St. Helens area, or do the fish headed for the Cowlitz come a little later? Or does it even matter?

Thanks in advance; I know there's some really experienced folks out there.

Rick

Either a slider or a spreader works from a boat. For bank fishing I prefer the spreader since it seems to tangle less. Right now fishing should be improving from Prescott/Longview to Bachelor Island and all points in-between. And I am using whole prawns with spinner.

Welcome aboard Harley. I fish herring so I don't know about prawns and stuff - except they are delicious and I'd almost rather eat them than spring chinook What I use is a slido and a bead above my double bead chain herring leader of about 6 feet, with an 18" dropper to the lead. That keeps it just above the sand and in their face, and the sliding lead helps prevent a big pig from getting leverage on you when they get in a head shakin' mood. Tight lines

Thumper and spawnedout:

Good job on the info for a #1 poster, answer the questions and wish him the best. Nice to know there is some people out there that answer the Q.A's\

Hope to meet up on the Columbia someday I am a newbee down there too.

Kingfisherman

Well, I went and bought some purple label herring since it's all I could find. I figure I can just use the back half for plug-cut and the remainder for strips. I got half a dozen prawns from Johnny's Seafood for about a buck. I bought a few Tee Spoons to use with prawns and anchovies, and modified them as follows:

I cut the wire running through the middle and took the whole thing apart. I then tied a loop in the end of a 5' 20# leader so I can easily attach and remove a 4/0 treble. I then tied a 4/0 hook on the leader so it will slide. Then I slid all the spinner parts back on the leader with a couple extra beads to rest against the sliding hook. Secured the other end of leader with a bead chain.

Now I can thread the loop through an anchovie, re-attach the treble, hook the sliding hook through the head, the treble in the side with a slight bend in the bait, and pull behind a Jet Diver.

On a couple other spinners I cut the treble off and attached siwash hooks so I can use herring strips or prawns secured with magic thread.

Plus I have some sardine strips and K15 Kwikfish.

If any of this works I'll let you know. I'll more than likely fish across from the Lewis at the mouth of the Multnomah Channel.

Have fun and be safe.