Any Eastsiders out there?

Looking for some tried and true tactics for Steelhead between Lower Granite Dam and upstream to Clarkston.

I usually don't head up that way until November-- not because there aren't fish, but because I'm busy salmon fishing in the Reach. We usually troll magnum wiggle warts, wiggle warts, and 1/2 oz. hot-n-tots in metallic red, hot pink, metallic green, or fluorescent red/black herringbone. My favorite area is near Steptoe Canyon, accessible from Nisqually John Landing or Chief Timothy Park. I've also caught fish in the confluence at Clarkston, or all the way down at Lower Granite Dam.

At the confluence, drifting a bobber and shrimp or bobber and jig/shrimp will often outfish trolling. There will be plenty of company there so just follow the crowd.

Night trolling with Vortexes can also be good both at the confluence and lower down.

Good luck!


Good luck!

Thanks Starfish. Do you troll those with a dodger or flasher????

No-- we just flatline the plugs. 60 to 120' of line (usually 12 lb. mono, but last year we did really well on 20 lb. powerpro with a mono leader) and a duolock snap, then attach either a wiggle wart, mag wart, or hot-n-tot (all original series or Brad's) scented with shrimp scent.

I went down to the river I was telling you about last Friday. I caught 5 brats by 3:30, all pretty small but still fun. If you would to go with me I am heading that way On either the 24 or 25 just let me know.