has everyone stopped fishing this forum has not been very active lately,i know i have not been out in over a month with late archery and xmas coming money is pretty tight.but i got half a tank of fuel in my boat that i need to run out before it gets bad so i might run out to ringold or ice harbor cuz it's close to home,is anybody catching anything,,

Haven't been to Ringold but still catching a few slack water fish. Started out slow this weekend. Hope that isn't the start of a trend.

We've been doing well at both Ice Harbor and McNary. I think the steelhead are cooperating just about everywhere right now. We've mostly been bait and jig fishing but some buddies did well at McNary last weekend on plugs also.

Yup, The steelhead are still biting. Last weekend, Me and a buddy went 3-4. 2 very nice keepers. They were all on plugs. Then, I went out 5 days later and got skunked!! McNary has always been that way for me. One day it's on. Then the next, it's off. Starfish has taught me allot on how to fish with shrimp more successfully. This time of year, Never leave home without them.

Hi Guys,
I'm new to this forum and new to the Pacific Northwest generally.
Been out above McNary 7-8 times, pulling Brad's Mag Warts, wigglers and Tadpollies in various colors and using slip bobbers and jigs to fish the WA banks all day without ever getting as much as a bump. I've read most of the recommended books and trolled many forums to gather as much info as possible. I'm getting pretty desperate to experience my first steelhead. I practice strict catch and release for all fish and would welcome any advice you more experienced guys may be so kind as to offer.
Merry Christmas and thanks.

Welcome FishermanMD,

Your post sounds like the reason this forum got started in the first place! Browse around a bit.... We have over 6 years of posts and different information pertaining to the Pacific NW including the Mcnary area.

Hi Glock,
Thanks for the welcome!
I have been reading and enjoying the past threads and have picked up a few tips such as using a corky above the slip bobber to improve visibility when jig fishing etc.
One of the questions I had that I haven't seen an answer to is do you guys do anything to modify Brad's Warts such as removing the tail hooks and using a chain swivel to extend the belly hook or swapping out the stock trebles for a siwash? Also, do you think tying on a round eyed snap swivel to the end of my leader to make it easier to switch out plugs would alter its action versus tying on directly to the split ring each time. Frozen fingers and poor light make this a bit difficult this time of year.
Thanks again, I aim to keep this thread active as its the only forum I've seen whose members are primarily from our particular geographic area.

Welcome, fishermanmd. I almost always use a duolock snap to connect to plugs and make it easy to swap lures. No need for a swivel since the lure doesn't (shouldn't) spin.

I mostly run stock hook setups but have used siwash/chain setups and they work too.

I presume you're using dyed coon shrimp on your bobber/jig presentations; if not you should definitely add bait. Also don't be afraid to add scent but be aware that you can add scent to bucktail or fur jigs but not to marabou (it makes the feathers clump together).

You also can try tipping the belly hook of a plug with shrimp, especially in winter.

Try slowing your presentation down to <1 mph when trolling plugs in extremely cold water, although sometimes they prefer faster.

Good luck and let us know how you do!

It sounds like there are many options for making this modification. Here is a simple modification which consists of using eggs and replacing one of the hooks.

CLICK HERE FOR MODIFICATION

im with starfish in fact thats probably who told me in the first place[around 1 mile an hour]i have only been to mcnary three times but hooked up fish everytime ihave had my best succes pulling a redish purple lighted wiggler during the day and at night.there's someguys on here that really know there stuff starfish seems to always helps us newbies and you can take what he post to the bank,you just got to put in the time go over some old post for info.get on the water make sure your plugs are tuned and running straight.keep it pretty slow,you will get one then it seems like they come a little easier after that,

I've spent most of my time this season at Ringlod and with the exception of one trip in mid November I've had good luck there this year. Most fish have come on plugs slowly backed down through surprisingly shallow water, and lately I've found that the bait/diver combo has been preferred over a straight plug or even a prawn-tipped plug.

Welcome to the forum fishermanmd. Sounds like you're doing things correctly -- it's just a matter of time.

While most will say never to use a snap-swivel to attach your plug because it alters the action of the plug (only use the duolock snaps), I will typically use a snap swivel if I'm using a spin set-up, otherwise your line will twist on you during your retreives. I haven't observed any decrease in the effectiveness of a plug run with a snap-swivel. Even with the swivel, you'll need to occasionally let out a bunch of bare line off the spool behind the boat and let it unwind. That's why most folks trolling from a boat use a level-wind or baitcaster, but I mostly have spinning reels.

Thanks for all the additional tips and insights guys. This is a great forum, I'm "hooked".
Frank- this is the first I've heard of using blinkies during the day as well. I'll be sure to give it a shot.
Glock- I hadn't been tipping any of the hooks on the warts with bait but will now try this as well.
Starfish-I have been using dyed coon shrimp on my jigs but not with scent as well but will now also try this with the bucktails.
Now, what do you guys think of a 4" pink bubble gum worm on a jig head below a slip bobber fished along the shoreline?
I know it'll get easier after the first one but it seems I've put in quite a few days already. I guess I'm running a bit short on that key ingredient for a fisherman-patience. I had been thinking I was doing something terribly wrong all along. The guys at the boat launch at McNary don't talk much except to ask occasionally how the bite was, mainly from the guys coming in to launch at night when the day guys are leaving.
Thanks again to all.

it took me about 20 times out to ringold and the game guy helping me out have not even been out there this year but last year i had it pretty dialed in i'll be going there soon

I think the bubblegum worm is a better fit for smaller water such at the Tucannon, Yakima (in season), or Touchet River. The bubblegum colored worm started from the west side and has shown its head here from time to time.

Been stuck all of last week and for the next 10 days on call 24/7 and can't wait to get out. I have my boat and gear all set. Anyone been out to McNary or Ice Harbor recently? Any reports? With all the recent precipitation and with the water level expected to fall in the next week the bite should be improving.