Allright, I am a rookie and am looking for advice. I have been reading posts to get the skinny on doing this since I have no idea.

This is what I have gathered. Anchor in the river during an outgoing tide and use kwik fish (size 14 - 15?) wrapped with a sardine fillet. Here is what I need to know: What is used to keep the quick fish down, how deep, what color and size to use, and fish what kind of water? Also, what parts of the river are producing now and how do you get there? Finally, what do the take-downs look like when pulling plugs? And how long after high tide do you need to go to get a current on the river sufficeint for the plugs to work properly?

I have only caught salmon trolling cut plugged herring at Point Defiance, and have only been after sturgeon on the Columbia.

Also, if anyone is interested, I could fish Saturday morning (but I need to return to Puyallup by about 5:30pm for a wedding) or anytime Sunday. I have a sled and a truck, so I'll take you in return for some schooling!

Hiya PSC:

Here are some answers. They may be all wet, but at least they are answers.....

"This is what I have gathered. Anchor in the river during an outgoing tide and use kwik fish (size 14 - 15?) wrapped with a sardine fillet."

Yep. Most use K15.

"What is used to keep the quick fish down, how deep, what color and size to use, and fish what kind of water?"

Use a spreader, going 24-36 inches on the lead line and 48-60 inches on the lure line. Fish 20-40 feet. Just anchor where everybody else is. Chrome with a fluorescent yellow/lime green head or butt (or both) seems to be the most popular combo.

"Also, what parts of the river are producing now and how do you get there?"

Fish are pretty well spread out. Get there in a boat.

"Finally, what do the take-downs look like when pulling plugs? And how long after high tide do you need to go to get a current on the river sufficeint for the plugs to work properly?"

Most folks troll on the incoming and slack tides, and anchor up for the outgoing. Outgoing tides start about an hour after high slack, though that varies from area to area. Takedowns will be pretty self-evident. When the rod goes down, be patient.

Good luck.

Not that I would know good from bad info. re: springers in the Columbia, but there's what looks to be pretty good info. in the latest (April - May) STS (Salmon Trout Steelheader) magazine. It might be a good supplement to what you get here. particularly since some of the same people contribute to both mediums.

Anyway it's nice to have hard copy with color pics. and all that.