Columbia Sockeye

[bjw444mar]

Does anyone out there fish the sockeye run on the columbia between McNary and Priest Rapids? I'd like to try for them but don't know what techniques or riggings to use. I've only fished for kings but seeing 100,000 fish right now in that area makes me want to try it out if the river comes down some. I'd appreciate any info someone can give me.

[Bodofish]

As a general rule Kokanee setups work for Sockeyes. If there is one thing I can say about fishing for Socks is trust your electronics. If you you see the fish, put the gear in their faces. Two bare hooks behind a small dodger. Krill or shrimp scent. Big orange flatfish or quick fish. Gold works for the plugs too. If you see the fish, put it in front of them and if they don't bite, change it up and do it again. When you find what they want, keep going back to them, they aren't shy.

[schu7498]

Is it worth trying to bank fish for the sockeye in this area of the columbia?

[bjw444mar]

Good info Bodo, Do colored hooks work better than silver? Also do the sockeye occupy the same water column as kings, do they hug the bottom? The bank fishing is a good question, I suppose you could plunk with a quick fish or maybe a spin and glow with a piece of shrimp on it. If you can find a spot where they are traveling close to the shore.

[Bodofish]

Yeah, I usually match the setup which means red hooks. Socks are early at the top and work their way down as the sun goes up. Trust your electronics, if you see fish at 20' put your gear just above them. They aren't shy and they won't spook when you go over. If you see them at 90' drop it down fast! I do think they follow the contour of the shore line but not tight like Kings. Yeah not to sure on the bank thing for the Columbia, it's so big. They're getting them off the shore on the Skagit.

[Mike Carey]

Good info Bodo, Do colored hooks work better than silver? Also do the sockeye occupy the same water column as kings, do they hug the bottom? The bank fishing is a good question, I suppose you could plunk with a quick fish or maybe a spin and glow with a piece of shrimp on it. If you can find a spot where they are traveling close to the shore.

There's some sockeye reports from 2 years ago on the Columbia River Brewster area from Darrell and Dads Family Guide Service. WARNING - this is going to cause severe salivation issues!:

http://www.washingtonlakes.com/ReportComment.aspx?id=567&lid=448&t=5