2015 columbia river steelhead?

[clearconscience]

Hey Everyone,
I caught the fishing bug last year and haven't been fishing since I was a kid.
I want to do some steelhead bank fishing on the columbia just south of bonneville dam.

I was hoping to go out in about a week and see what I can catch.

Is it a good time to fish the columbia for steelhead?
I'm not looking to take anyone's secrets or magic honey hole. I just don't have a lot of time to get out, but can't wait to start spending some reel time on bank.

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[jbett98]

Watch the fish counts.
Best Bonniville Steelhead fishing (summer run) is generally around mid July and peaking around mid August.
The river is high right now, but clearing up.
Springers are right around the corner, and I will be concentrating on them soon.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...W4JJUXOtwjdAyCQ&bvm=bv.86475890,d.cGU&cad=rja

 

[clearconscience]

Yeah definetly looking forward to chinooks.
Just wondering if it's worth it to start fishing early.
Maybe try for some lake trout?

I'm hungry!

 

[Caveman Jim]

Do you work during the week? If not then get at it now. Steelhead are indeed in most all the rivers and streams by now & most late runs have big fish (15-20#'s) I am fishing this week and have open seats!!!!!!!

 

[Mikej]

Look to plunking for springers....Personally I don't think there's all that many steelhead going up the Columbia at this time of year, and the ones that are are going to be mostly native. This is why they wait to put the gill netters in for springers, because native steelhead are counted against them. They take those natives WAY serious!

I would suggest you look for plunking spots like Frenchman's Bar. There's places up around the Port of Kalama too. Not being from you side of the river I don't really know of others, but I bet there are a few more. Come late March and into April is when the summer steelhead will be coming in slightly more catchable numbers.

Up around Bonneville isn't a steelhead fishery until the numbers come up in summer. It WILL be a busy springer fishery when they get coming in good. But if it were me I'd stay down here to bank fish for springers, it's a lot more technical AND crowded, and the water will really be moving come 1st of April with the Spring spill starting up there.

Mike

 

[clearconscience]

Thanks Jim,
I do work Monday through Friday, but I can take time off whenever.
I am a little limited because I take my daughter to and from daycare.

I've never used a baitcaster before so I want to practice before springers arrive.
I want to explore the banks and find a more secluded place I won't be pissing everyone off casting all over their lines.
Plus I just hate fishing shoulder to shoulder. And most people in general