Here are a dozen photos that might inspire one to take up plunking along the banks of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers this season. By season I am talking about chinook and steelhead that can be caught by bank anglers from now through fall as 3 runs of salmon and steelhead make their way East. The 2010 spring chinook season gives you an added chance at these fish because there will be little to no boat traffic due to regulations imposed on anglers for this year below Bonniville. I picked up some gear for this type of fishing last year and plan on giving this a try a few more times soon. A great way to spend an afternoon, if you can take the heat. Looking west the scenery is almost always inspiring by itself.

While I sat along the Columbia River below Bonniville last year with good friends Alan and Tyra I had time for some great photos that might give you an idea of what it is like to be there and do this. Some of the sights and sounds that you might see if your eyes notice that sort of thing.

Here is my inspiration to return and try again, and it's pretty good, hope this will inspire you to get started!

Plunking along the Columbia River you might see....



A Lamiglas rod loaded with a railroad spike.



A Lamiglas rod hung on a railroad spike.





You might see fish rolling and jumping!



A family enjoying the river together on a warm summer evening.



Maybe someone will catch something odd, and you will see it!





You might see beautiful young ladies with great tan's that 'can' catch fish!



You will likely encounter a flash wing spin-glo with 2 hooks.



Later in the evening if you look to the East, something called 'alpinglow' will start to color the river bank in a warm golden shade of light. This is a great time to snap a few photos for your memory book as there will be lots of shadows to contrast.

If you wait just a bit longer and then look to the West you will see what I think are some of the best sun downs anywhere in the Northwest.




Yes, Inspirational

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Wanted to Share this interesting zoom/crop from a 12 meg Nikon shot about 10 feet off. This is the underside or gill side of a tiny fish head starting a leap of faith out of the water. A bit grainy but can show some detail. Something odd, just though ya might like to see it. Reminds me of a tarpon on the hook...