Went out this morning....it was raining a little. Not a big deal right? It got down right scary on the water. It was throwing our boat all over the place. We made it for about an hour before giving up for the day.

We hit the water at 330am today. It was calm until 615 or so. Put two in the boat, missed one, and one long line release. I stopped at the fish room, quite a few coho in the ladder.

It is easier than people think to get in trouble at McNary.

i think there nowhere in the state to avoid the wind.went out to reach same deal dropped the first downrigger.before i got the second pole out i hooked one.nice big one.tried to endure it for about another half hour and give up.

Yeah, the wind in the Reach was definitely rocking too but so were the fish. We managed to put six in the box by 10:30. Interestingly one was a coho. Sure was glad to get that last fish so we could quit... it was getting worse instead of better out there. At least the Reach doesn't get the kind of waves you get at McNary.

I had planned on fishing McNary Saturday night but didn't feel like putting the canvas on the boat and I didn't want to fish in the rain without it.

i'm gonna have to take the plunge and get up to mcnary a few times and learn to fish it i've always been curious it's,oh!and the downrigger height you told me starfish seems to be working,i'm coming home with fish now thanx a million.

When fishing at McNary from the bank, by the side parking area, are guys just putting shrimp under a bobber? If so, what do you set your bobber stop at?

Put the bobber stop at 6-12 ft. Most of the time 8ft. I like to use a jig with a shrimp tail threaded on hook. Lots of scent. Toss it out. Grab a beer and enjoy. just a couple though. Remember you have to drive home.

One more quick question...I am going to McNary on Sunday, with a buddy and his boat. Is pulling plugs the obvious answer? If so, what brand/size? Any other suggestions? He has all of the gear we will need, but I would just like to come prepared with my own stuff....I am set up with spinners/spoons for Kings on the samish/skagit, and everything needed for fishing from the bank, but have never really done a whole lot of trolling. Thanks!

If the wind stays down trolling (1/2 mph or less) shrimp under a bobber can be good and is usually how I start. I seem to pull plugs about half the time. Standard and wee Wiggle Warts, Hot-N-Tots, Tadpollys, Kwikfish, Flatfish and etc all can work. I lean toward the reds, pinks, purples and copper all in metallic finish although crawfish pattern seems to pick up its share of fish.

We fished 3 poles last night. 7pm-12am. We had a hot pole that produced 2 keepers in 2 hours. That's all we got. I will be back out tonight. (10-17)

picked up a couple today,is the limit 2 or 3 over there above mcnary.

Trolling or bank fishing?

trolling wigglers,

Anyone go out on Saturday? I am headed out with my buddy bright and early Sunday. He just got a brand new, 23' custom weld. We are taking it on it's maiden voyage...hope we can get into some fish!