WALLEYE ON THE LOWER COLUMBIA RIVER BY LANCE MERZ | MACK’S LURE PRO STAFF

We launched in an area of the River that can be very intimidating Lower Columbia, just below the and, if you’ve never been on that McNary Dam in a place called particular area of the river, I would Crowe Butte. We were fishing in recommend going out with a guide attempts to find some fish to catch who knows the water. Channels can for an episode of Northwest Fishing be very shallow, which can take out Reports. Due to the harsh winter that a lower unit very easily. There are was felt by all, the current of the even areas in the middle of the river river was moving quite fast. Instead that can be as shallow as six inches! of moving into the main current, Ted fishing on the Columbia sought his attention to areas of the Ted and I fished throughout the River is a destination hot spot for river where the current wasn’t as day — a fish here, a fish there. The anglers who seek this predatroy fish. swift. fishing was consistent, but it wasn’t In fact, most walleye anglers will tell lights out. The water temperature for you that if you can catch a walleye, Normally, these areas are closer fishing was still a bit chilly at about you can catch just about any species to shore and range in depts of 5- 57 degrees and the clarity of the of fish. to 25-feet. We were with water was a chocolate milk color. bottom walkers with about a 5- to

Departments of Fish and Wildlife 6-foot leader, primarily using Double Then the wind picked up. It is in Washington and Oregon, over the Whammy® Walleye and Smile imperative that, if you’re operating a last two years, have lifted the limites Blade® Super Slow Death Rigs boat on the Columbia River, you are while fishing the Lower Columbia. tipped with nightcrawlers. aware of the water conditions at the Studies are showing that walleye “ time you are going to fish. Without are eating the salmon and steelhead warning, the chop on the water smolts and they want to eliminate Walleye fishing on the Columbia can product 5- to 6-foot swells and the speices altogether. Only one rod River is a Destination spot for without enough knowledge of boat is authorized per angler, but there is anglers who seek this predatory operations, it could be catastrophic. plenty of fish to be had for all. “ fish. — LANCE MERZ I had the opportunity to fish with Mack’s Lure Pro Staff angler Ted It wasn’t long after we started Beach, a professional walleye angler trolling that the first fish of the day whose knowledge compares to that came into the boat — a 16-inch of an encyclopedia. When Ted talks walleye that knocked the funk off of about fishing, people listen. He the boat. A slow troll downstream gives various seminars throughout revealed a few more fish in the live Washington Each year and loves to well — this was going to be a good tech people how to fish. There is an day! Since the wind was so severe on art to fishing walleye. the main channel, Ted decided to There are parts of the Columbia tuck into a slough, which protected

MACKSLURE.COM Page 1 us from the wind. Not only did we the water and the preferred method That same week, Bob Loomis and start to catch walleye, we also began was to troll up to the border — a line Richy Harrod took their shot at fishing to catch smallmouth bass and perch, just below the dam that no one is the Lower Columbia, as well. They as well. Since walleye are predatory allowed — and drifted down. All but fished in an area of the Columbia fish, catching these other species one chute was open at the dam and adjacent to Maryhill, Washington, at was a good sign. the water was swift, to say the least. a place called Peach Beach. Trolling Even without wind, the swells were was the preferred method, just off The next day, we decided to fish in consistent at 5- to 6-feet. In all, 40 the main channel using Wally Pop® another area of the river, adjacent fish were caught over the two day crawler harnesses, as well as the to the town of Plymouth, Washington. period. Double Whammy® Walleye and the Ted made this decision because the Smile Blade® Super Slow Death Rig. forecast was calling for wind gusts Ted is an excellent teacher. I of up to 22 mph that day with some learned a different way to rig up Although there are no limits on rain mixed in, as well. the walleye rod and even learned parts of the Lower Columbia River, it a new way to thread a worm on a doesn’t mean that all of the fish have hook. What I learned the most from to be caught. I have seen first-hand Ted was that preparation is essential where anglers will go out fishing and for walleye fishing. As with any catch in excess of 100 fish or more in other , having the line in the one day. In my opinion, catch what water longer will eventually lead to you’re going to eat. Set a limit for more fish. Ted’s boat was filled with your boat, which will allow others additional tackle and riggings that anglers the ability to catch fish, as made it very easy to slide off each well. lure to try a different color.

We met with the Northwest Fishing Reports crew and began to film the show. Mike Carey, owner of NWFR, jumped in the boat with Ted and I, and his crew was in another boat fishing, as well. We launched the boat and the conditions were perfect — calm with no rain.

We decided to take advantage of the early morning fishing in an area Ted called the “Plymouth Slough,” a branch of the Columbia just off the main channel of the river, which, if needed, could protect us from the gusts, which were on their way.

The fishing was consistent and, again, we were using Double Whammy® Walleye and Smile Blade® Super Slow Death Rigs. The hot Smile Blade® on this day, however, was the UV Glo® Burst, which produces a tremendous amount of flash and attraction even in murky waters.

We pushed the limits and decided to fish just below the McNary Dam. There was only one guide boat on MACKSLURE.COM Page 2 since those whoppers began showing As far as I know, Doug still holds up there. He has boated walleye as the record for the largest poundage STAN’S SPACE large as 18-pounds, 5-ounces from of walleye taken from the Columbia the big river. River in a two-day tournament. He did it by coming in with a two day Darn few walleye fishermen in the total of 73.28-pounds. That total U.S. have taken fish that size. Allen takes on even more meaning when caught that beautiful trophy-sized you realize the limit was six fish per fish in 1989. I don’t know how many day and that only two of those fish fish of more than 10-pounds he’s could be more than 24-inches. taken from the big river, but it’s been a bunch. If you’re a walleye angler yourself, you may have had the opportunity So, what does Doug have to say to hear Doug talk about these regarding your chances of getting a often perplexing fish at one time or walleye of 10-pounds or more today? another. Doug, a long time member IS THERE A 10-POUNDER OUT “You don’t have as many big ones of the Mack’s Lure Pro Staff, is one THERE FOR YOU? PART II today as we did when the Columbia of those qualified experts who isn’t BY HALL OF FAME ANGLER STAN FAGERSTROM walleye fishing was getting started,” reluctant to share his abundant he said,” but the number of sizable knowledge. You’ll find the lures Doug You’re going to look long and hard fish is still good.” uses right here at MacksLure.com. to find anyone more knowledgeable about walleye fishing than Doug Allen agreed that the Columbia Keep an eye out for my next Allen. If you read my last column, River does, indeed, offer some of the column. I’ll be sharing some of you’re aware I told about having had country’s best prospects for fish of the things we all need to consider an email message from a reader 10-pounds or more. He was, however, when we go after walleye. They’re who had a question about walleye just as quick to add a whole lot of of maximum importance whether fishing. He wanted to know where he “ifs” to putting one of those fish in you’re fishing the Columbia River, could go to have a good chance to your boat. Many of the thoughts Devils Lake, North Dakota, Greer’s boat a walleye of 10-pounds or more. Doug shares in this regard are a Ferry down in Arkansas or basically cinch to provide tremendous help anwhere else. You’ll find that column I had told this guy that I thought to anybody wanting to get serious on the first of next month. Be sure the Columbia River would provide his about their walleye fishing. to subscribe to the Mack Attack to best shot at getting the job done. I follow along. Best of luck! also mentioned that I’d check with As I’ve already indicated, Bob Schmidt, President of Mack’s Allen has a list of walleye , regarding today’s prospets for accomplishments as long as your walleye on the big river. arm. That list has been compiled over more than 40 years of effort. I’d asked Bob who he’d recommend I talk to regarding the Doug has been a Washington present outlook for walleye on the state resident all his life. He was the Columbia River. Doug Allen was that Lund Boat dealer in Yakima for many man. That didn’t come as a major years. His son now operates that surprise. If you dig very deep into business. Besides all the time he has the history of walleye fishing in the spent on the Columbia River walleye Pacific Northwest, Doug’s name is fishing, Allen has also fished as a certain to surface. contestant in professional walleye tournaments all over the U.S. I have written about Doug Allen before in these columns. The last I’ve mentioned some of the other time was several years ago. I was accomplishments Doug has racked curious how he felt about the present up in my previous Stan’s Coner outlook for Columbia River walleye. columns. He was, for example, the “Angler of the Year” for the I knew something else. Doug is Columbia RIver Walleye Circuits in a real pioneer of Pacific Northwest 2005. he also, at one time, held the walleye . He’s been taking walleye size record for Moses Lake in beautiful fish out of the Columbia Washington.

MACKSLURE.COM Page 3 order to stop the badgering once SONIC BAITFISH™ (SBF) and for all, Capt. Ed figured a way to finally silence the guy with the TIPS & TECHNIQUES Crippled Herring. Unlike his trolling spoon setup, “cagy” Ed attached the Crippled Herring directly to the downrigger ball, about ten feet behind it. That was it, no attractor of any kind, just a plain Crippled Herring.

Then, with a smile, the good captain returned to trolling once COOK YOUR CATCH more. Well, it did not turn out exactly as Ed had planned. There was PAN SEARED SALMON some good salmon that ended up being caught — nine, as a matter TROLLING THE SONIC of fact. Eight were caught on that BAITFISH™ (SBF) lowly Crippled Herring and one was eventually caught on Capt. Ed’s BY CAPT. PETE ROSKO favorite trolling spoon. Thirty years ago, I received a phone call that dramatically changed Thanks to that call from Capt. Ed, my mind set on how to fish a metal I have trolled metal jigs in Alaska, the jig, including the Sonic Baitfish™. Pacific Northwest and the Gulf of The call was from Capt. Ed Ruuck, Mexico. What I have learned is that a respected Lake Michigan salmon a metal jig can out-fish traditional trolling charter skipper. Ed wanted trolling lures most of the time. The to share what occurred on a recent reason is its erratic and darting Ingredients (4 servings) trip with a Crippled action. It does not need an attractor, Herring, the first metal jig I created in especially a dodger, since a side-to- • 2 eggs; the early 1980s. side acting attractor deadens the • 4 (6 oz.) salmon filets; lively action of a mteal jig, including • 2 tablespoons olive oil; Prior to Ed’s call, I never bothered the Sonic BaitFish™. • 2 tablespoons capers; to consider trolling because I was • 1/8 teaspoon salt; having too much fun catching At times, for extra flash and sound, • 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper; Pacific salmon and Lake Erie walleye I will add a small Indiana blade on • 4 slices lemon by vertical . I was shocked the back side of the single hook on after listening to Ed, sharing his story the SBF. It’s attached with a small Directions about my 2 oz. pearl white Crippled snap to the split ring. Do not use a Herring. snap swivel because a 360-degree 1. Preheat a large, heavy skillet spin does not work as well as a side- over medium heat for about 3 Here’s how that event unfolded: A to-side blade action. minutes; group of five boarded Ed’s boat that early morning to troll for Chinook I always try to simplify any of my 2. Coat salmon with olive oil. Place salmon. One of the five anglers techniques, including trolling. I do not in skillet and increase heat recently returned from San Francisco bother with downriggers unless I’m to high. Cook for 3 minutes. where he purchased a 2 oz. pear on another boat with them. I flatline Sprinkle with capers, salt and white Crippled Herring metal jig. troll or use divers on my vessel. My pepper. Turn salmon over and After several hours of trolling with an favorite SBF trolling finishes are glow cook for 5 minutes or until assortment of trolling spoons, Capt. chartreuse for walleye, cutthroat browned. Salmon is done when Ed was still waiting for that first bite. trout and kokanee, then glow white it flakes easily with a fork. and silver blue for rainbow trout and About that time, the fellow all salmon species. 3. Transfer salmon to individual with the Crippled Herring started plates, garnish with lemon slices bugging the skipper about trying As always, thank you for and servce with your favorite his lure instead. This went on for subscribing to the Mack Attack. It side dish. Now eat! about another two hours until Capt. is our sincere wish to increase your Ed couldn’t take it any longer. In catch rate with our monthly tips.

MACKSLURE.COM Page 4 PRODUCT RELEASE NEW Pip’s™ BOX

Mack’s Lure, Inc., manufacturer of the industry’s most effective leader holder, the Pip’s™ Leader Caddy, has released a newly designed version of the Original Pip’s™ Box.

When it comes to success on the water, gear organization plays a major role. The more prepared and easily accessible your gear is, the more time can be spent fishing. This all new Original Pip’s™ Box does the trick. to discover ways to increase the fish GUEST COMMENTARY we catch in murky water conditions. “The Pip’s Leader Caddy is simply Here’s our top five tactics for trolling the most ingenious way to store your rainbow trout in dirty water to help tied hooks,” Mack’s Lure president increase your odds the next time you Bob Schmidt says, “so when are faced with these conditions. customers asked for a smaller version, we responded, not only with a more Contrast & Fluorescent UV Colors accessible, but also upgraded design that includes anti-reverse and a self- While fishing in stained water, lubricating surface for a smoother paying attention to color and spin, mimmicking the features found contrast is very important. In fact, in on the Pip’s™ Leader Caddy.” my experience it’s the time of year that changing your lure color can The Pip’s™ Box, available in six TOP 5 TACTICS FOR TROLLING make the biggest difference. You colors, is ideal for storing tippets need to think about contrast! There is and hooks tangle-free and its small 3 RAINBOW TROUT IN DIRTY WATER a lack of light penetrating the water, 3/8” size fits easily in your pocket for BY DANNY COYNE, MACK’S LURE PRO STAFF so using darker colors will create quick and easy access, allowing for contrast and stand out much better fast turnaround time when replacing The spring can be a very challenging to the fish. Using attractors with brass or changing leaders when on the time for anglers to target Rainbow and copper will out-produce regular water. Trout. As the freshet sets in, so do silver or chrome four-to-one due to the dirty water conditions in our the low amount of light available You can now purchase the Original valley lakes. If you have ever tried to for reflection. Using lures such as Pip’s™ Box at MacksLure.com and be catch rainbow trout in these murky spoons with color combinations with sure to look for it in your local bait water situations, you know it can brass and fluorescent or glow can and tackle shop soon. For images be difficult. However, these periods be lethal combinations. Fluorescent or more information, please contact can also offer some of the greatest UV and glow colors will give that eye [email protected]. fishing opportunities of the year. As appeal to the fish, as these colors anglers, we need to work extra hard require less light to reflect the lure’s

MACKSLURE.COM Page 5 color. Choosing lures such as plugs or need to find the productive speed run up for their spawn. It’s an ethical spoons that have dark or fluorescent that your lure’s action continues angling practice to release these spots on them will also stand out to work effectively and you start spawning fish so they can complete to the fish. In extremely milky water to get strikes. Once you start to their spawning cycle. circumstances using black dodgers connect with fish, pay attention to or flashers with dark lures can payoff your trolling speed and keep with Your lure depth while trolling is also dividends. it. It’s a fine balance from going too extremely important to pay attention slow and too fast. Choosing lures, to. Unlike clear water conditions, the Sound & Vibration such as a variety of Mack’s Lure fish’s strike zone is reduced during Smile Blade® lures that work in slow murky times. If you are marking fish Rainbow trout are the apex trolling applications will aid you in at 50 feet on your sonar and your predator in a majority of our . this process. gear is and your gear is at 65 feet, They are very good at homing in and you need to adjust your downrigger attacking their prey. One of the ways Depth of Your Presentation to the depth in which you are they do this is by detecting the low marking fish. This way, you can be frequency vibrations or movements Before the freshet arrived, you may confident that your presentation is by smaller prey fish by utilizing their have been hammering rainbows in within the fish’s strike zone. During lateral lines. Using lures that create a the deepwater regions of the lake. dirty water situations, rainbows tend small vibration (sound) can help the However, rainbows behavior will to not move quickly throughout the trout locate your presentation from change once the spring runoff starts water column chasing forage, but a fair distance, even during stained to enter the lake. The tributaries rather wait for an opportunistic meal water conditions. are not only bringing in warmer to present itself. The cloudy water water, but they are depositing a conditions aid predator fish like the Plugs that have small rattles in ton of nutrients into the lake. These rainbow trout in providing them an them have a tendency to out-fish elements attract small forage fish advantage in ambushing their prey. non-rattle lures such as spoons. into the shallow shoals. The warm Another great way to put off an water can also provide extra comfort Surface Fishing attractive vibration is to use lures for the trout. Rainbows that were that have spinner blades such as a once chasing baitfish on the surface Usually, on the bright spring days, Wedding Ring® or spinner hoochie. over a couple hundred feet of water the sun will push the fish down within These blades put off sonic vibrations can now be residing near shallow the water column, as it’s harder on that entice a trout to track down shoals or ledges, feeding upon their eyes, as well as they will follow your gear and strike! baitfish while being in comfortable their food. When the water clarity water conditions. diminishes, the rainbows are more Using attractors will also really apt to stay near the surface because put the odds in your favor. Using the murky water provides a filter dodgers, lake trolls or flashers are like effect from the bright light. This a huge benefit during dirty water can be a very good time to surface conditions. Attractors create for rainbows no matter if you have displacement in the water that help bright or cloudy days. the trout find your presentation. During these low visibility periods you As noted above, the trout tend to can up the size of attractors without use the low water clarity to ambush spooking the fish like it can in clear their prey. By trolling your lures on water conditions. the surface, it delivers a silhouette effect to your lure, making for an Speeds easy target. Running dark colored A lot of the time, you will see plugs or other lures that have erractic Your trolling speed needs to adjust a distinct divide within the water vibrating action, like the Mack’s Lure to the conditions. Unlike in clear where the clean lake water meets Pee Wee™ Wiggle Hoochie™, is an water, when we troll a variety of the murky runoff water. These are excellent option for this method. speeds with pulses and intervals, I excellent areas to target, as the find it more productive to troll at a trout will tend to hangout in these ----- continuous speed. In murky water, zones. Troll just on the edge of the the trout have to work extra hard clean water in these areas. It is For more from Mack’s Lure Pro to locate your baits. By trolling at a important to note that during these Staffer Danny Coyne, visit BCFishn. constant speed, the fish won’t give spring runoff seasons, it is also the com, follow him at Facebook.com/ up as quickly when hunting down time of year with rainbow trout are BCFishn or @bcfishn on Instagram. your gear. The key to this is that you staging in front of the tributaries to Thanks to Danny for stopping by!

MACKSLURE.COM Page 6 QUESTION HOT DEAL OF THE MONTH OF THE MONTH Have a question? We’d love to answer it for you! Shoot us an email at media@ mackslure.com with your question and you may see it featured in an upcoming issue of the Mack Attack Magazine!

Q: I started using the Double D Dodger. I see it comes with swivel hardware on one end. What hardware do you recommend on the other end? Also, how far behind would you run a hoochie? Would it be different by PHOTO OF THE MONTH species? Boone Harrod shows off a massive 15-pound trout that he caught on Wallowa Lake in Oregon. Harrod says he caught the lunker on a Hum Dinger® & Sling Blade™ combo. A: Thanks for the questions! The Double D™ Dodger comes with a split ring and a snap swivel on the end that goes to your leader.

On the other end, it is recommended that you rig directly to you mainline with only a snap swivel.

To rig this, you would tie the swivel end of your snap swivel to your mainline and the snap end would be snapped directly into the desired hole on the dodger, which you will determine based on the diagram on the Double D’s decal or on the back of the package, depending on which size you purchased.

This rigging also allows the angler to be PHOTO CREDIT: BOONE HARROD able to quickly change to a different hole as needed for spreading your lines. It is also best to run a very short leader VIDEO OF THE MONTH length behind the dodger, about 12-18”. Mack’s Lure Pro Staffers Mike Hall and Melissa Nokes target rainbow trout in a highly instructional episode of Angler West TV filmed on famous Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

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