Author: Jason Brooks

Posted: 10/5/2019

The downrigger has accounted for increased catch rates for a good reason and if you fish waters where they can be used then you will have the advantage once you learn how to use them. Using a downrigger allows you to keep your lure in the zone of the fish. They are a tool to be used in open water, bays, estuaries and large rivers and very effective. Salmon anglers have been using them for years an...

Author: Mike Carey

Posted: 10/5/2019

The shadows stretched over the river, causing an ever-changing view of one of the Pacific Northwest’s greatest treasures, Hells Canyon, on the Snake River bordering Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Around us canyon walls of basalt lava climbed over one mile to the west rim on the Oregon side and 7,400 feet below the peaks of the Seven Devils Mountain range to the east. Hells Canyon began being carv...

Author: John Kruse

Posted: 9/2/2019

Suffering from a case of the summertime blues? Is life’s fast and frantic pace stressing you out? There’s a tonic for that and you’ll find it at the most unlikely of named destinations, Downs Lake. That’s where I went a few weeks ago after loading my kayak into the back of my pick-up, placing a couple of fishing rods in the cab, and bringing a digital camera for good measure. Located in Spok...

Author: Hannah Pennebaker

Posted: 9/2/2019

The Carbon River is a 30 mile long stretch of murky water, running from the Carbon Glacier on Mount Rainier to the Puyallup River in Orting, Washington. It opens on September 1st to crowds of eager anglers. Huge, toothy king salmon lurk in those silty waters, slowly making their way to the spawning grounds. There are a few "boots", as some anglers call darkened, spawned out salmon, but many are st...

Author: Sponsored Content

Posted: 9/2/2019

Northwest Fishing Reports Special Opportunity - 30% Discount on new Soft Steel USA Braided Lines. Use discount code NWFRSoftSteelBraid30 at checkout. Okuma acquires Soft Steel USA and enters the braided line, fluorocarbon and monofilament markets. Soft Steel USA has been known in the long-range circles for a couple of decades with its high-quality product line in Fluorocarbon and Monofi...

Author: Mike Carey

Posted: 9/2/2019

I attached the two ounce flutter jig to my line and heaved back on my rod, the weight of the lure and flex of the rod loading for maximum distance. At just the right instant my thumb released pressure on the line and I watched with satisfaction as the lure propelled itself ever farther from the beach, landing just short of an anchored boat, startling the anglers on board. Closing my bail I reeled ...

Author: Gary Gordon

Posted: 9/2/2019

Spring and Summer Pursuit of Kokanee: The Spawn A Kokanee University Mini-Series, Part 5 You all know the signs. The kokes are starting to “turn” meaning that they are showing some color. The stomach contents will be nil or close to it. The males will start forming a kype. The soft scales are now hardened and the soft mouths are also considerably hardened. All these factors are the r...

Author: Rick Lawrence

Posted: 9/2/2019

In simplest terms, fishing etiquette could be easily defined as treating other anglers as you would want to be treated. Here's a list of fishing etiquette rules I've learned and lived by over the years of my fishing trips: • Don't get on top of somebody that's obviously working a particular spot or cut in front of them if they are working their way down a bank. If you're fishing a sea wall or l...

Author: Jason Brooks

Posted: 9/2/2019

It seems that each year I find myself fishing the same places for the same fish. It is comfortable to go someplace you have been before and with success. Not really any need to find any place new, that is until you find yourself not catching fish, water conditions change, or maybe access has been removed. There are many reasons why we find ourselves needed or wanting to explore new waters. Maybe i...

Author: Mike Carey

Posted: 8/5/2019

The sounds of excited angler’s voices cut through the general din of the Ketchikan airport “your first time here?” “The fishing was great last year” “I think our float plane is coming in.” On the walls, pictures of salmon and a large “Welcome to Ketchikan, Alaska” verified that my dream trip was underway. Since moving to Washington over the years I had heard tales from fellow anglers who had gotte...

Author: Rob Phillips

Posted: 8/5/2019

With the Columbia River pretty much closed to steelhead fishing, and with the fall salmon runs just starting to migrate upriver, many Eastern Washington anglers are looking for other species to target to help keep them out on the water. Luckily there are some other options, and some pretty good ones to boot. The Columbia River is packed full of walleye and bass, and both have been giving angle...

Author: Jason Brooks

Posted: 8/5/2019

Salmon angler’s in the Pacific Northwest know 2019 as a “Humpy Year” and this year’s return of the feisty small salmon has been estimated to be around 600,000 fish. A very concerning number especially since just four years ago the run was 6.8 million. Besides the concerns over dwindling numbers the Pink salmon are a special fish for the Pacific Northwest. The odd year fish brings out anglers new ...