Spring Chinook fishing is about in it's peak in many areas of the state and it has been less than stellar most days. I have been fishing Drano Lake where the returns have been even less than predicted and the catching a little on the tough side. There are some nice fish to catch and if your willing to put the effort out there are a few fish around. With the lack of numbers a person has to have everything in good order to succeed, good bait is key to success, whether it be your herring or prawns. Red labeled is the best bet when herring is your bait of choice on Drano lake. Prawns spinners are always a good choice especially when the water warms above 48 degrees, it is now 52 plus most days. Plugs of choice are Mag Lips made by Yakima Bait Co. with the top colors being a  gold double trouble, Thumper, Hammer Time or Mad Clown.  Trolling these behind the boat with 50 to 80 feet of line out will get it done. Don't forget to wrap them with a small fillet of sardine. Bobber fishing has started in the cove and as always good sandshrimp is top bait.

Wind River area has been tough as well. Trolling green label herring, Mag Lip Plugs and Wiggle Warts do well here. Most areas you'll fish here are very shallow so fish the plugs with only 30 to 5 foot of line out. If your plugs are digging in to bottom shorting the amount of line out on teh plugs, fishing them close to the boat still gets you bit here.

I have now shifted from Drano Lake to the Cowlitz for the remainder of this Springer season. The Cowlitz is a back bouncing or diver and bait game for these chinook and you must cover lots of water to find them, this is where being on the river everyday pays off. Back trolling plugs  also works well with the Mag Lip 3.5 being the best bet here, a person can search large areas of holding water with a few rods in the water with these plugs. Look for Summer Steelhead to start being caught in greater numbers as the first week in June is usually when we see are first real good numbers of them in most rivers on the west side....Can't wait for these fish as it usually means lots of chances at big fish during a normal day while wearing short sleeved shirts and sunglasses. 

Here's a few nice chinook from both Drano lake and the Cowlitz river.

For more info call Phil Stephens, Mystical Legends Guide Service Call (206) 940-0052 or E-mail

I'm currently in between river steelhead and salmon runs..., so I've been spending my fishing time over east on The Potholes Reservoir Pre-Fishing for the upcoming Mardon Open Bass Tournament on May 18-19 and scouting for Walleye and/or Bass combo trips. If your tired of fishing for one bite all day this fishery is for you and it's ON right now. The fishing in April was pretty tough for Bass on the Reservoir, but with the perfect weather we had all last week the fish turned right on. Bass are being caught on spinner baits, swim baits, soft plastics, spro frogs, and jigs to name a few baits of choice. Find flats adjacent to deep water and your on the path to success.
The Walleye have all but finished up spawning and are back on the feed. Troll worm harnesses and plugs. Both the Crab Creek arm and Lind Coulee are giving up nice bug eyes!  I currently have open dates to put you on these fish. I run these walleye and bass combo trips from now through May. These Walleye are Primetime table fair. You will be the hit of the neighborhood at any Potluck, or BBQ after serving up a plate of Panko Crusted Wally's!
FYI..., We are catching a lot of fish right NOW, so get a hold of me if you want to catch some fish :-)June 1st marks my return to the Westside Rivers. We will be catching King Salmon & Steelhead out of my Wooldridge Alaskan XL jet sled.  My technique of choice is Side drifting eggs, prawns and yarn for these fish. I have very few dates left open on my guiding calendar if your interested in fishing with me this June and/or July.
If you want more info on catching BIG, Chrome Bright, fish only 35 minutes from downtown Seattle on a scenic river by way contact me. No need to go all the way to AK when you have great fishing right in your backyard ALL summer long! River level and clarity dependent of course :-) Get 2-5 guys and gals and lets go do this. Great days on the water create great memories on and off the water for LIFE.
 See ya out there and FishON!!!

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See Salmon University

Mark Coleman - Guide/Owner, All Rivers & Saltwater Charters
www.allwashingtonfishing.com, 425-736-8920

Team Guide Drift Boats

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Ryan McCaughan - Riverside Guide Service - www.seattlefishingtrips.com - Email: seattlefishingtrips@yahoo.com.

Gift Certificates Available

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