We, like many others spent Sunday on the Cowlitz. We are always aware of others and do our best to be accomodating. We were struggling to get a single fish and shared a hole with three guys who obviously had it figured out. They limited three in just a couple of hours. Very impressive. When they hooked up we steered clear and tried not to be to obvious about trying see what they were using. After landing their last fish they headed to the launch. We decided to follow and met them at the take out. I waited till we were alone and very descretely asked for a tip on terminal gear. The response was "sorry, can't tell you." He shrugged his shoulders and walked off. I was shocked by his attitude and unwillingness to share even a partial tip. He could have at least lied, but I guess wouldn't have been arrogant enough. Is this normal ?

Most likely the jerk had a better location. Thats all.
Fish tend to hold in a certain spot and you probably were not in the zone.

If you really care to find out what people are using, get a good bino. You are free to gather light we used to do that on salt water. As soon as someone hooked a fish, oh they are using blue ... but trust me, its more about location than anything else when it comes to stacked up fish. Unless you were fishing for sprigers and wanted to fish legal, in which eggs might come handy.

Paranoid,
Could it just be that you're being just a bit, well you know.........
paranoid?

There really isn't that much of a secret other then bait cures and bait it self,when it comes to the cowlitz.They may have been using prawns while others we're using egg's?????.
Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Some guys are just tight-lipped. Bring your binoculars next time.

Honestly, it's probably not the terminal tackle, but how and where they are fishing.

It's all about the location.

What makes the really good boondoggers stand out isn't their bait, or tackle, but it's how and where they run their boats. These guys are usually masters at reading water, and truly gifted at putting their boat where it should be, and properly running it.

I'd be willing to bet that 9 out of 10 sled owners do not know how to correctly boondog out of their sled. Not saying the 9 won't get fish, but those 9 always seem to wonder how #10 out fishes the snot out of them.

True that.

What Parker said. It's 90% control boat and 10% fisherman. Thats why the guides all do it.

following a guy to the take out and asking what they were using is asking for a comment similar to what you got. I agree with the location comments, the presentation, and the knowledge of the guy running the boat too put the presentation of the baits dead nuts for optimum fishing. Maybe you could use the same energy you're using complaining on researching different baits and colors and next time you won't have to ask. I personally put a hell of a lot of time preparing to fish for steelhead and salmon and when I get skunked on the river I walk away happy for the opportunity to be able to fish and the experience and change my game for next time. The thing that got me was that you followed him to the launch and asked, that seems a little psycho. Maybe I am over reacting but there's my two cents.

Sorry Paranoid, I just couldn't resist earlier. Cheap shot I know.

I don't see anything weird whatsoever about asking other fishermen about their success. heck we all do it one time or another. Course some folks are just friendlier and more helpful than others. In the meantime don't let the others get you down. I gotta believe there is at least one civil #10 out there.
Here's to finding him.

Easy jackiepoo. "Psyco, complaining"?. Its is kind of ironic that I got the same kind of sickening feeling after reading you reply as I did that day on the river. Meeting up with the other boat at the ramp and attempting to solicite information in private, away from other boats was not only tactful, but I felt greatly improved my chances of striking up a conversation with this guy and mabey being able to add a "to go to" option if my other methods aren't working. I will help you if you are in trouble on the river. I will often pick up your trash if you leave it behind. I am not above sharing some fishing tips with you if you approach me tactfully and don't put me on the spot in front of others. It sounds like I would have received the same answer from you as I did from this premadona. Come on dude, it's the Cowlitz.

Pink worm imitation jig, no rubber worm, just fethers and chenilie. Steelhead.

Copper teardrop half fast spoon. Festering spring chinook. She'll smoke up good!

Rocket Red corkie with hot pink yarn. Steelhead.

Secrets out.

When in doubt, throw everything at them.

Here's what you do! Spot a boat that is putting the hurt on em. When they pull up into a slot you motor up past them (not over the fish) and set up in the same slot (leaving plenty of room in case HotBoat busts one in your grill). Simulate the same slide as HB. Keep in mind spacing, positioning and speed. If you find it hard to maintain you spacing with the HB then you must alter your weight sceme. Odds are HB will hook that fish and you will be in position to see what he's using for weight.

I'd say alot of the catching not only depends on the great points others made above but also a lot to do with how much weight your running. Way to many people use to much weight. Right now with the water at 3500 1" to 1 1/4" of 3/16ths does nicely.

I am done with the Cowlitz for the summer,hooray Limited everyday for weeks on end but let me tell you that place is the least liked fishery that I participate in!!! People that fish down there should get a clue,just like Paranoid said aroggant,simple minded, aholes is the rule of thumb most days!!!!PEACE

I don't thnik you did anything wrong by going to the launch and asking him what he was using. But, I wouldn't feel any ill will towards the guy for his response though. He was truthful with you. I think telling you some B.S. is worse.

I had a fishing buddy that was like that some years ago. Would do anything for anyone except tell them what he was fishing with.

Yep.

When you call a guy a prima donna because he won't share info, you don't help your cause. The guy might be a guide who doesn't want more competition on the river, he might just be a tight-lipped guy whose buddies would clown him for talking, or he might have just been having a bad day.

You asked, he didn't feel like telling. No huge deal. FJ ran down some good tips for setting up your drift. Sleds at the ramp have rigged rods in them a lot of the time......take a gander as you walk by.

Don't get all bummed out on humanity, though......some guys just aren't talkative about fishing. No reason to call them prima donnas really. Keep asking around and you'll probably find someone that will give you some insight, but being told what he's doing is one thing, doing it is another.

Keep your eye on the boats hooking fish, and keep flailing away.

I expected that from you!

A gander...LMAO

What?

Me parasite fish? Never!

Hey Danno, It was not his reply that bothered me. It was his attitude. He acted like the only good looker at the bar. And if it were a guide how does that pertain. Does it really matter to a guide if I hook up, or is it that I am just another boat taking up space. Better I get my limits quick and get off the river? Thanks for the feedback guys. My therapist will be pleased.

Some guides see it that way. They see you as taking up space and taking up fish. Who knows, maybe the guy was just a chump.

Just remember that the hot chick that dude took home from the bar probably gave him the clap.