Fishing The Lower Columbia River By Lance Merz

October 2014 Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the Ed Iman fish camp from 12-18 September, 2014. This fish camp is a great networking opportunity within the fishing industry. Ed provides a top notch camping and fishing experience that can t really be surpassed. At the camp, writers from the Northwest Outdoor Writers Association (NOWA) are invited to attend the event in exchange for writing various articles about their experiences and types of fishing. In addition, manufacturers are invited to attend, to discuss with the writers their products ranging from vacuum sealers to anchoring systems for boats. Each day, writers are paired with manufacturers in a guide s boat to go fishing for the day. The camp was nestled in the Peach Beach campground; a private campground adjacent to the Mary Hill State Park in Washington. Fishing basically revolved around the Fall run of Chinook Salmon and with record numbers this year, fishing was bound to be excellent. In this excursion, we were afforded the opportunity to fish between The Dalles Dam and the John Day Dam; at the mouth of the Deschutes, Klickitat and White Salmon Rivers. Fishing The Lower Columbia River By Lance Merz The author at the mouth of the Klickitat River. Normally, many anglers were targeting these Chinook by fishing a technique called Hover Fishing. It s a finesse type fishing which is basic, yet effective when fish stack up at the mouth of a river, prior to moving to their spawning grounds. The line basically consists of using a 2-3 ounce weight (depending on wind speeds the Columbia is known for), attached to a three foot leader with a size 1/0 red hook, baited with a wad of red fish eggs and topped with a Mack s Lure Smile Blade. The technique is to drop the weight to the bottom (usually fishing in 20-35ft of water), reeling up so that the eggs are between 2-3ft from the bottom. When the Salmon enter fresh water from the ocean, they no longer feed. Once they see the eggs however, the mouth the eggs to take to their spawning grounds in efforts to get as many eggs to their grounds for a hatch. This means that the bite is very light and it s extremely important that anglers are paying attention to their rod tips because a slight bend in the rod tip could mean that fish is attempting to place the eggs in their mouths. This is why it s called finesse fishing. When there are so many fish in the river attempting to spawn however, one does not need to stick to one type of fishing. On the first day of fish camp, a good friend named John Kruse who is a radio broadcaster with Northwestern Outdoors Radio and I went on an excursion to catch Salmon and Steelhead on the Klickitat river. Thinking that we were going to be in a boat the entire week, we were limited on our tackle but we both brought our spinning rods and were going to cast spinners and spoons from the bank. The river itself is not very wide and there are many public fishing areas that we could fish from the bank. We both had some very good bites, but nothing stuck. The entire time we were fishing, both John and I were thinking of how awesome it would be to bring some fish back to camp and revel in the thought that we had caught our limits bank fishing. I was using a Mack s Lure, 3/8oz Rock Dancer buck tail jig. Salmon and Steelhead prefer the buck tail in rivers that have deep Continued on Page 2 Page one

Continued from Page 1 pooled pockets, fishing a method called Twicthing. You can also use marabou jigs like a Mack s Lure Glo Getter Maribou Jig. We saw many anglers using the same setup, but many were baiting their jigs with coon shrimp. Another type of fishing that was utilized on the lower Columbia river was trolling. In this application, a Mack s Lure Double D Dodger was utilized with a three foot leader attached to a cut plug herring. Cut plug means that the head and guts of a herring is cut at a diagonal. There are two hooks (Size 2/0 and 3/0) where the bottom hook can be moved to adjust to the size of the herring. The bottom hook goes through the body of the herring and is positioned right at the tail. Some anglers attach the hook to the tail and others allow it to hang freely. The purpose for the diagonal cut is to allow the herring to spin in the water in a corkscrew type action that emulates a dying bait fish. Most of this type of fishing is assisted with down riggers, fishing anywhere from 30-60ft of water. Mack s Lure guide staffs Bruce Warren and Austin Moser were using this type of fishing at the mouth of the Klickitat River with tremendous success. These two master anglers are notorious for catching fish when others can t. What s their secret? It s the ability to adapt to their environment and change fishing styles when others aren t working. What I ve learned so far is that when the fishing isn t good, you need to change your fishing style by using different colors, rigs, depths and speeds. The water temperature was a consistent 74 degrees on the Columbia River all week long. Although there were a lot of fish in the water, they weren t stacking up nearly as quick. These fish were swimming up river without stopping. In water temperatures of 70 degrees and above, the oxygen levels in the water begin to deteriorate, which basically means that the fish can t breathe. Fish Camp 2014 Although the fishing this year was much slower than last year, I believe that it was a benefit for all because we all had the ability to try different types of fishing, which allowed more of a conversation piece back at the camp. After a long day of fishing, it was extremely enjoyable talking about our excursions for the day while eating a fantastic meal and bragging about whose product worked better. Mack s Lure won of course! WORLD RECORDS ARE CAUGHT ON MACK S LURE Mack s Lure Double D Dodger & Rock Dancer Page two

Tips & Techniques With The Sonic BaitFish (SBF) By Captain Pete Rosko Captain Pete Rosko Two popular types of attractors, used in trolling, are dodgers and flashers. Dodgers work with a side-to-side, pendulum-type of action. The Mack s Lure Double D Dodger is a leading example. On the other hand, flashers function with a 360 degree rotation. Even though these two attractors function differently, the end results are the same flash and vibration. Fish, such as salmon, are attracted to the flash and vibration of the attractor. However, it s the lure, trailing behind the attractor, which results in the strike. Regarding lures, the Sonic BaitFish (SBF) is truly unique in many ways. It s the only lure that can be fished by attaching the line to the nose, tail or top of the back (back). Also, the SBF is the only lure that acts both as a lure and a dodger. By attaching the line/snap to the back, then vertical jigging it, the SBF creates flash and vibration similar to the dodger. This sideto-side dodger-type action creates more hydrosonic vibration than the rotating action of a flasher. However, the action of the SBF is even more dynamic. When attached to back, the action of the SBF resembles the side-to-side action of a slow or fast moving windshield wiper, not only on the lift but also on the drop. The speed of the rod lift determines how much lure vibration is produced. Mack s Lure General Manager Bob Schmidt (center) and CPT Peter Rosko (right) tagged these beautiful Chinooks using a ¾ ounce SBF. Most of my fishing in open water is done by attaching the SBF to the nose with a single siwash-style hook attached to the tail. This nose attachment is primarily for its extremely effective fluttering action. Also, its large hook eye, combined with its wide bend and deep throat, make the siwash hook the perfect high-efficiency hook for the SBF. Even when I pinch-in its barb, very seldom do I lose wildly jumping salmon with a SBF. Even though I mostly attach to the nose of the SBF, there have been many trips where attaching to the back, or tail, has saved the day. The Florida Gulf, Great Lakes, Alaska and Pacific NW are a few locations where attaching to the top of the back turned a dead bite into an active bite. This is my technique wherever I fish with the SBF: 1) I always start by vertical jigging, once I locate the fish, with the traditional line/snap attached to the nose and hook on the tail. 2) Never hesitate to change to a different finish, fairly quickly, if the fish are not responding to your current finish. 3) Slow down your presentation and even dead-stick until the fish tell you what action they prefer. 4) Still no action then downsize to a smaller SBF that can still easily reach your target. Note tips 3 & 4 are critical in saltwater when all tidal movement dies. 5) Still waiting for a strike then switch from attaching to the nose or tail (flutter versions) and attach to the back (vibration version). Basically, vibration is a stronger form of attraction than flutter. Flutter and vibration are the two most important actions for attracting fish. 6) Color almost anywhere I fish, whether in fresh or salt water, it s hard to beat the SBF in the glow chartreuse finish. Its two critical ingredients are fluorescence and phosphorescence which enable the lure to better retain its true color in deeper water. In closing, the SBF is a lure similar to an experienced major league baseball pitcher who is also a Cy Young winner. That pitcher is a master of every conceivable type of pitch to win the game. The SBF also has every conceivable action to win the game of catching fish. As with the pitcher, it s knowing which presentation that is best, throughout the day, for the SBF. I dedicated this article primarily to vertical jigging the SBF. As effective as it is for vertical jigging, the SBF is equally effective as a casting and trolling lure. Thank you for subscribing to the Mack Attack and join us next month for the November issue. Pete Mack s Lure Sonic BaitFish Available Online www.mackslure.com Page three

Stan s Space Your Kids Are Gonna Love It Part 2 of 2 By Hall-of-Fame Angler Stan Fagerstrom There s no better method of getting a youngster into fishing than teaching them to use a closed face spinning reel. As I mentioned in my previous column, I ll guarantee what you ve just read is true, but there s a stipulation that goes along with it. It s that you ll be willing to take the time to teach a beginner to use the one procedure that enables them to get accuracy with one of these pushbutton style reels. Nothing is more important where casting is concerned than being able to get consistent accuracy. In my previous column I promised I d share the one technique that will enable you or your kids to do it. I like to think I can speak with authority in this regard. I doubt there s anybody out there who has spent more time actually demonstrating what I m talking about. Since the middle of the last century I ve taught folks over a sizeable chunk of the world how to use a closed face spinning reel almost since these reels first came to market. A closed face spinning reel like you see here provides a great way to get a little boy or girl into fishing, but there s a big if attached to making that happen. To make it happen you ve got to be willing to take time to show them how to use it to attain the accuracy that they ll need to use it successfully. Getting distance with one of these reels is no problem. Almost any kid can learn to throw a practice weight halfway down the block in short order. Trouble is those same kids will wind up with their line draped over a telephone pole or with the casting weight hung up in the nearest cottonwood tree. There s a way around this problem. Give casting exhibitions at some of the world s largest outdoor shows (and I have) and you better be darn sure you can hit your targets and entertain your audiences. At least you better have that ability if you expect to get asked to return. Because I was already doing some exhibition casting when closed face spinning reels first came to market, I was given a new style spinning reel to try out. It soon became abundantly clear that getting distance with this new style reel was no sweat. Consistently hitting my targets was another matter. Attempting to get the job done by using the reel s thumb control button just didn t work. I ve tried a number of different approaches before I came up with a technique that worked when using a closed face spinning reel. I still didn t have the pinpoint accuracy I got with a level wind reel or the open faced spinning reel. But what I did have was entirely adequate. I hope you ll study the next few paragraphs carefully. Get a good handle on how to use the closed face in the fashion I m about to detail before you attempt to teach it to your youngsters. Here s how it goes: Have your boy or girl place the closed face spinning reel in the palm of their left hand. Now have them extend their left forefinger to trap the line securely where it comes out of the center of the reel s enclosed spool. Here s the correct grip to use to get accuracy with a closed face spinning reel. Note that the reel s push button release has been pushed in and is being held down with the right thumb. See that left forefinger? It has trapped the line against the front of the reel where the line comes out. The line is over the left forefinger. Once they have the line trapped securely against the hole in the center of the reel s spool, have them depress the reel s thumb control button with their right thumb and hold it down. When they are ready for their lure to fly out, release pressure with both the left forefinger and the right thumb at exactly the same time. Now comes the key to accuracy with the closed face reel. All the time the lure (a practice casting weight is a better bet for a beginner) is in the air, the line should be allowed to flow off the spool over the left forefinger. Your youngsters need do to drop the lure smack on target is increase upward pressure on the line with that left forefinger. It s downward pressure from the right thumb that lets an expert with a level wind reel put his lure on target time after time. You can use upward pressure from the left forefinger to do much the same thing with a closed face spinning reel. Continued on Page 5 Page four

Continued from Page 4 Cookin Your Catch Coho Salmon Fillets Mack s Lure Smile Blades There it goes! When you re ready for your practice casting weight to head for its target simply release pressure with both the right thumb and the left forefinger at the same instant. The line should be flowing over the caster s left forefinger all the time the casting weight is in the air. To make the lure drop where you want it just simply increase upward pressure on the line with that left forefinger. Be sure you get one of the smaller reels for your youngsters. If you didn t read that column or forgotten what I recommended you can check it out in my column archives. Closed faced reels will fit nicely into the left palm of someone like a youngster with small hands. It s surprising how quickly even little guys and gals, provided they have the right kind of instruction, can learn to get a lure out where it belongs with these little reels and lightweight matching rods. I ll make another guarantee. It s that you ll never regret time spent teaching your little boy of girl how to do what I ve suggested. Kids can be a royal pain in the neck or lower portions of your anatomy when they first get to go fishing. They can just as easily provide you with moments and memories you ll treasure for the rest of your life. Which way things work out, is entirely up to you. -end- Ingredients: 2 (6-ounce) coho salmon fillets, 1 1/8 to 1 1/4 inches thick, pin bones removed 2 teaspoons vegetable oil 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper Directions: 1. Set a 10-inch nonstick saute pan over medium heat. 2. Brush each fillet with the oil and sprinkle with kosher salt and black pepper. 3. Place the fillets in the pan flesh side down. 4. Cook for 2 minutes. Turn each fillet over and continue to cook for another 2 minutes. 5. Transfer the fillets to a plate, cover loosely with foil, and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Let s Eat!!! Keep You Smiling!!! Page five

Hot Deal!!! Enter promo code LC1000 for a 25% discount on in stock Pip s Leader Caddy for the month of October 2014. Question of the Month Have a question? We d love to answer it! Contact us at MacksLure@ MacksLure.com if you have a question you would like to see featured! Q: Does Mack s make any products for Steelhead fishing? A: Yes we do! One of our more popular Steelhead fishing products is our Rock Dancer Jigs. These jigs are a bucktail jig in three weights; 1/8oz, 1/4oz & 3/8oz. They come in 14 different colors and the heads are black with glow eyes. These jigs work fantastic when you are fishing bigger water, creating a larger profile. Unlike marabous, you can use scent without ruining the jig. They are becoming extremely popular for the fall fisheries when the rivers are down, when twitching for steelhead & coho. We also make a Marabou jig for float fishing called the Glo Getter. This jig comes in 15 different colors and three sizes; 1/8, ¼ & 3/8oz. There is a scent collar on them and like the Rock Dancers, they also have a black head with glow eyes. A couple more non conventional products that work fantastic, is our Smile Blade Fly and the Smile Blade, which can be used a number of different ways. The Smile Blade Fly works great under a float. Use a split shot in order get it down to where you want. The modified wooly bugger pattern of the fly and the added attraction of the Smile Blade really get the Steelhead excited. The Smile Blade itself can be fished a number of different methods. I use them here in NCW with our Mack s Lure Pill floats. Whether you are fishing the Columbia or smaller tributaries, we have products, colors & sizes to fit every anglers needs. Photo of the Month Video of the Month Pip s Leader Caddy and Pip s Box This beautiful catch was taken by Valérie Morin to Chibougamau Baie-James to Québec, 2014 with the help of Mack s Lure Smile Blades. See more pictures by clicking here: Mack s Photo Gallery Pre-Tied Fishing Leader container for Fly, trout, walleye, steelhead, salmon, kokanee, dropshotting, Perch & Bass. The Pip s box is a clear lidded container that allows you to carry an assortment of leader weights and hook sizes. Click Here Other videos can be viewed as well, Click Here. If you have video s to share, we d love to see them!! Send your video links to: MacksLure@MacksLure.com. Page six